I hope you found this new addition to the parish magazine (which is now also on the web site - Ed) useful. One person commented to me that they didn’t realise how much was going on at the church, so I hope you have found it helpful to keep you up do date with all that is happening.
As a team we were commenting the other day that once the children have gone back to school the rest of the year seems to quicken until we dive headlong into Christmas. This month contains a number of significant festivals from All Saints and All Souls on the 1st November to Remembrance Sunday on 8th November. But I want to draw your attention to the Cluster service at the end of the month as well. I am fully aware that for many the fifth Sunday, if there is no service in All Saints, can be seen as a week off. I perfectly understand the deep attachment to your own parish church and the feeling that it is just not the same somewhere else. Of course it is not the same, but the difference is not necessarily a bad one. The last time the three parishes came together to worship was at the beginning of September for Evensong. For those of you who were there, either in the choir or congregation, I am sure that you will agree with me that it was wonderful being in a full church along with the folk of Garsington and Horspath. Unable to sustain a choir separately when the three churches came together we had a wonderful choir of over 40 strong. At that service we asked those who sang if they would like to sing at Cluster events. True to our word Jonathan will be contacting you about singing on the 29th November at Horspath for our Cluster service. We all have very busy lives so the commitment to sing would only be on the day, with a rehearsal at 9.30 am and the service at 11 am. I guess the Cluster service is what we make it. It can continue to be the non event that it is at the moment and a good reason to have a week off, but the opportunity it gives for us to deepen our fellowship with one another and to sing in a choir is something worth getting up for on that dark November fifth Sunday.
Another event that took place in the summer but is still bearing fruits in the autumn is the August sermon series. If you remember with Jonathan and I taking the services across the Cluster in the month of August we decided to pool resources and preach for the five consecutive Sundays on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. For those of you who could only hear one or two of these sermons, I have edited them into a booklet, which is available in the church for £1. It contains not only the sermons but also the scriptural texts and questions to ponder. From general feedback it seems that the series was well received so I will be planning another series for Lent.
It was in August also that we decided to follow the archbishop’s recommendation to cease the giving of the chalice at communion. I want to thank you for your understanding and sensitivity on this matter. Many people have been ill this autumn even if it has been only for a day or so. It seems that we have been wise in our duty of care to each other. However, following a discussion with Mark, we will review the situation once the cold weather comes in and hope very much that we will be able to hand out Communion wine in time for Christmas.
Finally, may I draw your attention to a couple of changes we have made to services this Christmas? The first is a shifting of the Christingle service to earlier in the month to coincide with the first Sunday family service. If you have never been to a Christingle service, which raises money for the Children’s Society, then do come. It is being devised this year by our Sacristan Betsy and given all her experience with young people should be an event not to miss. The other date to put in your diary is 24th December, Christmas Eve, when we will be holding a Crib service for the children.
As ever, if you would like me to pay a pastoral call or wish someone to be remembered in the prayers, please do let me know on 361 381.
Emma
Services in November and December:
1st November – All Saints’ Day
8.00 am Holy Communion
11.00 am Cuddesdon Village Songs of Praise for All Saints’ tide
3 pm Service of Light to remember those who have died at St Mary’s Garsington
5.30 pm Time Out at Horspath Methodist Chapel
8th November – Third Sunday before Advent
9.30 am Parish Communion
3-4.30 pm Messy Church
15th November – Second Sunday before Advent
8.00 am Holy Communion
9.30 am Parish Communion
22nd November – Christ the King
9.30 am Parish Communion
29th November – The First Sunday in Advent
11.00 am Cluster Service at St Giles Horspath
6 pm Advent Carol Service
6th December – The Second Sunday of Advent
8.00 am Holy Communion
9.30 am Christingle
5.30 pm Time Out at the Methodist Chapel
13th December – The Third Sunday of Advent
9.30 am Parish Communion
3-4.30 pm Messy Church at Horspath Methodist Chapel
20th December – The Fourth Sunday of Advent
8.00 am Holy Communion
9.30 am Parish Communion
24th December – Christmas Eve
4.00 pm Crib service
11.30 pm Midnight Mass
25th December – Christmas Day
9.30 am Christmas Communion
27th December – The First Sunday of Christmas
9.30 am Cluster Communion Service
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