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In the September email:
- Pause for thought
- What’s happened to the window?
- Heritage Open Day - 12 September
- Words that have been with us for over 360 years
- Listening Project
- Exploring Parables update
- Bible study group - The Chosen TV series
- Feeling Crafty?
- What’s on
September Newssheet
CHURCH SERVICES
Sunday 6th September: Trinity 14
10am Informal ‘Back to School’ Service (church and video)
4pm Paws and Pray
6pm Holy Communion (church only)
Monday 7th September
2.30pm Songs of Praise, Ridgeway Rise
Wednesday 9th September
8.15am Morning Prayer (Zoom only)
11am Coffee Prayer and Chat (church only)
Sunday 13th September: Trinity 15/Creationtide
10am Holy Communion (church and video)
Wednesday 16th September
8.15am Morning Prayer (Zoom only)
Sunday 20th September: Trinity 16/Creationtide
10am Morning Prayer (church and video)
6pm Evening Prayer (church only)
Monday 21st September
2.30pm Holy Communion, Ridgeway Rise
Wednesday 23rd September
8.15am Morning Prayer (Zoom only)
11am Coffee Prayer and Chat (church only)
Sunday 27th September: Trinity 17/Creationtide
10am Holy Communion (church and video)
Wednesday 30th September
8.15am Morning Prayer (Zoom only)
Sunday 4th October: Trinity 18/Harvest
10am Informal Harvest Festival (church and video)
6pm Holy Communion for Harvest (church only)
INFORMATION AND EVENTS
Creationtide from 13th-27th September
Listening Project
Over the next 3 months the Outreach Team are encouraging us to listen to God, listen to our parish and listen to one another. Please look out for:
- the updated Cycle of Prayer with a new prayer for our parish,
- the community survey we will be spreading widely around the parish, with your help
- the opportunity to explore what gifts and passions we each bring to the congregation, launching in October.
If you have any ideas about how we can make better connections with our community please speak to Sally, Martina, David, Amy, Coral, Tim or Krystina.
Gardening and Cleaning Morning
Saturday 5th September, 9.30am-12.30pm
Paws and Pray Pet Service
Sunday 6th September, 4pm
All pets are welcome to our short Pet Blessing Service – please also bring your owners! The service will be held outside (weather permitting) and will be no longer than 20 minutes followed by the blessing of all pets and their owners and blessed treats for pets to take home.
Please stay for refreshments and a chat.
Pause and Pray
Meet for 30 minutes of reflection, Bible reading and silent prayer in church on the first Monday of each month at 7pm on 7th September and 5th October. Come and enjoy a pause at the start of the month.
Interested in preaching?
Sally, Karen and Martina meet once a quarter to discuss preaching and how to develop as preachers. If you would like to join us to provide a view from the pew or to explore the possibility of preaching yourself, please talk to Sally. The next meeting is on 9th September at 1.30pm at 15 Rackham Close.
Heritage Open Day
Saturday 12th September, 10am-3pm
We are taking part in the Heritage Open Day fortnight once again with talks on the history of St Andrew’s building, windows and the people who worshipped here in the past. Talks start at 10.30am and lunch will be available from 12.30-2pm. Please come along and invite your friends and family. If you can help on the day or make a cake in advance, please speak to Sally or Karen.
Bible Study Group
Starting up again on 16th September, at 10am and 7pm in church, looking at Aspects of Worship including colour, sound, words and actions.
St Andrew’s Macmillan Coffee Morning
Friday 25th September, 10.30am-1pm
Please come along to enjoy the refreshments and support this important charity.
Confirmation, Sunday 18th October, 4pm
The next opportunity to be confirmed is in October. We will be running a discussion and preparation group in September for anyone who would like to explore this possibility. It’s a great opportunity to review your faith journey and make a public declaration of your desire to follow Jesus. Please talk to Sally or Martina if you are interested.
Emergency contact details
We have forms available on the lectern by the door so you can give us an emergency contact number in case there’s a medical incident while you are at church. Please fill one in and return to Sally, Helen or David. They will be kept securely in the safe.
Dates for your diaries and Help Required
2nd October, 7pm, Harvest Supper and Quiz
4th October, 10am and 6pm, Harvest Festival – Gifts for Boxes of Hope
5th December, Victorian Christmas Extravaganza – Please store up old Christmas decorations, off-cut evergreens, seasonal fabric scraps, old duvet covers and pillowcases, toilet and kitchen roll cardboard tubes.
6th December, Church Christmas Lunch at Moonrakers pub.
Prayer for our local community
Use the cycle of prayer sheet on our website and pray for:
- To clearly hear God’s call to us as we seek to serve our parish better,
- For all staff and pupils beginning the new school year,
- For all our beloved animal friends and the nature we see all around us.