Advent 2 News
A very warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael's. A special welcome and thanks to Fr Paul Matthias, our celebrant this morning, who will also kindly be saying Mass for us at 10.30 am on Thursday, the feast day of St John of the Cross Everyone is warmly invited to coffee in the Vestry Hall after Mass. If new to St Michael's, do join us so that we can welcome you properly!
Nothing to report about our appointment process, but some information may be available by the end of the week. Please continue to pray. Meanwhile, many, many thanks to Fr Paul for celebrating the deeply prayerful Mass that began the interview day, and to Sue for the amazing feat of organisation that culminated in a magnificent lunch enjoyed by everyone. Grateful thanks too to Sacristan Jonathan for the pre-Mass arrangements, and to all the kind people who contributed to the success of the lunch by setting-up, cooking, clearing away and transporting food on behalf of those unable to be present. We have received messages of thanks from a number of appreciative visitors, and whatever happens in the end, we feel that St Michael's was seen at its best.
School services: During this week we shall be welcoming to our church West Borough School for their Christmas concert and the St Michael's Schools for their Christmas service. Please, Sunday worshippers, can you kindly help us maximise space by removing the kneelers and packing them into the side pews?
Our Own Christmas Services:
Christmas Eve: Mass as usual, with Holy Baptism, at 10.30 am. Crib Service at 4.30 pm. Midnight Mass at 11.30 pm.
Christmas Morning: Mass at 10.30 am.
Do let your friends and neighbours know about these services. Last Christmas, the visitors to St Michael's almost outnumbered the “regulars”, which shows what an opportunity this is to encourage others to join in our worship.
Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and The Weald, will be holding a Surgery in the Vestry Hall on 19th December, 1.30 – 3.30.
From Our Tower:
Kent County Association, Maidstone, Kent
St Michael and All Angels
Sunday, 3 December 2023 in 42m (6–1–24 in C)
1312 Spliced Surprise Major (4m)
352 Rutland; 320 each of Cambridge, Superlative and Yorkshirel; 40 com.
- Stuart Cox
- Paul Barton
- Jacqueline Barlow
- Philip Jarvis
- Stephen Coaker (C)
- Mark Elvers
- Kath White
- Michael Birkbeck
Remembering Thomas David Barlow 5/12/96 R.I.P.
Rung on the First Sunday of Advent.
Among the sick we pray for Paul's continued progress, and for Margaret, Ellie, Pauline, Rue, Fr Leon, Antony, Fran, Ellie, Tom, Joseph, Pamela, Valerie, Peter, Joan, Margaret, Lindsay, Glynis, Ethan, Sarah, Yvonne and Eileen.
Among the departed we remember Thomas David Barlow, Dorothy Bagnall, Sister Joan Michael of the Society of St Margaret, Charles Plummeridge, Grace Seabrook, Harry Hobbs, Mavis Pharo, and Georg Sadowski.