Presentation Of Christ News
A warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael's. Today we are keeping Candlemas, the feast on which we remember the presentation of the infant Christ in the Temple. A special welcome to Fr Paul, who is celebrating for us. If you are new to St Michael's, please join us for tea or coffee in the Vestry Hall after Mass, so that we can welcome you properly.
Candlemas itself (February 2nd) will see the consecration of the new Bishop of Oswestry in Canterbury Cathedral. Bishop Norman will be among the consecrating bishops. Please note: there will be no Mass at St Michael's that day.
Bishop Norman emailed on Wednesday with good news: he said he'd like to visit us on Sunday 26th February - unless we had other plans! He will celebrate and preach for us, and after Mass we shall welcome him to a parish lunch; a list will appear next week and the PCC will be very glad of offers of food and help beforehand and on the day.
Our Quiet Day at The Friars on Saturday, 25th March, 10 am-3 pm, is taking shape. Fr Derek has kindly offered to accompany us and celebrate Mass for us in one of the chapels. The day will include 2 short addresses, free time for us to pray and reflect on our own, lunch (bring your own picnic) and concluding prayer together. We need to pay for the room we use as a base, which will mean a cost per person of perhaps £12 – possibly less if enough people book. Please speak to Jonathan, Paul or Eleanor today if you are hoping to come – Eleanor is happy to receive email bookings from anyone unable to be in church. This is not a cast-iron commitment but we do need an idea of numbers.
Congratulations to Angelita, who has achieved a Distinction in her Associated Board Grade 5 Singing. Congratulations also to Gareth, her teacher. Those of us who heard Angelita at the Carol Service will recognise that her excellent result was well deserved.
From Our Tower:
Kent County Association: Maidstone, Kent, St Michael and All Angels
Sunday, 15 January 2023 in 44m (6–1–24 in C)
1280 Spliced Surprise Major (5m)
384 Cambridge; 320 Superlative; 256 London; 192 Rutland; 128 Bristol; 28 com.
1John J Proudfoot
2Mike Birkbeck
3Jacqueline Barlow
4Mark Elvers
5Paul Barton
6Stephen Coaker
7Pam Thomas
8Neil Jones (C)
100th together: 4 & 8.
Wishing Daphne Tester a speedy recovery after her hip replacement.
Sunday, 22 January 2023 in 40m (6–1–24 in C)
1272 Surprise Minor (2m)
720 Wells; 552 London.
1Pam Thomas
2Jacqueline Barlow
3Philip Jarvis
4Mark Elvers
5Rupert Cheeseman
6Neil Jones (C)
With the band's best wishes to Steve Newlands. Get well soon!
READERS' LIST for February.
Sunday 5 OT and psalm Paul Jones, NT Eta/Zangi
Sunday 12 OT and psalm Mike Trout, NT Katja Svarts
Sunday 19 OT and psalm Catherine Garland, NT Alison Heywood
Sunday 26 OT and psalm Ralph Baldock NT Margaret Gatehouse
Thank you, readers! If unable to read on the day listed, please try to arrange a swap with another reader.