I’m afraid
this month’s letter is taken up with ‘bits and pieces’. It covers many
aspects of our parish life. Firstly, I mention
some practical issues.
Drain
Repairs
You will notice that the drains are being renewed and repaired around the church. This is an essential if not a very decorative
element of our maintenance programme. There
is, as many of you know, a damp problem in the South east side of the church
including the Choir vestry and the sanctuary. It maybe related to the flooded tomb of
Admiral Sir Isaac Smith, who even in death may still be afloat! Until we have sorted out the drains we cannot solve
the damp problem. Will you please take extra
care around the church whilst this project is in progress?
Liturgical
Evening
This will be held in church on Thursday 21st November at 8-00pm. This meeting is for all of us who in any way assist
in our worship. It includes sidesmen,
scripture readers, offertory party, choir members, gospel readers, servers, chalice
bearers, intercessors, bell ringers etc. Hopefully
the evening will be a conversation together about all aspects of our worship in order that
we can have a shared vision and purpose with regard to our acts of worship. So please come if you are able to. If you are not able to attend please give your
apologies to the churchwardens.
Sermons on the Eucharist
The Faith & Worship Group at its October meeting requested a series of sermons on the
Eucharist in Advent. These will begin on
Sunday 24th November. There will be
4 sermons on the theme of ‘on the same
night that he was betrayed he took bread and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave
it to his disciples’. The titles of
the sermons will be on the four-fold action of the Eucharist taking, blessing, breaking
and giving. They will include explanations of
the different parts of the Eucharist.
Don’t
forget that our Archdeacon Nick Baines continues his series of sermons on the Old
Testament on November 10th and December 8th at Evensong.
Advent
Carol Service
There will be a service of reading and carols on Sunday 1st December at 6-30pm.
Parish
Carol Singing will be on Monday 16th December
New Bishop of Kingston
We
welcome as our new area bishop Richard Cheetham formerly the Archdeacon of St Albans. I hope it won’t be long before we shall
welcome him to St Mary’s. Please remember
him and his family in your prayers as he begins his ministry amongst us.
I’m
sorry it has been so factual but there is a lot of information to impart. Advent reminds us that to prepare for the great
festival of the Incarnation Christmas and whether it is drains or Bishops they remind us
of the Incarnational nature of our faith.
Your
priest and friend
Tom Leary
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