Advent 2 News

Priest-in-Charge Fr John Ainslie (revjohnainslie@gmail.com; 01628 629827)

A very warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael's. If you are new to St Michael's, do join us for refreshments in the Vestry Hall after the service so we can welcome you properly.

PRAYER REQUEST SLIPS are available at the back of church if you want to request prayer for yourself, for someone else or for a particular situation.

SERVICES THIS WEEK: Thursday Mass at 10.30am followed by refreshments

NEXT SUNDAY: Feast of Christ the King Sung Mass at 10.30am followed by refreshments.

CHRISTMAS MARKET

SATURDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 11am - 3pm

SAVE THE DATE - PLAN TO COME

BRING A FRIEND OR NEIGHBOUR !!

CAN YOU PUT A POSTER IN YOUR WINDOW, OR AT WORK, OR IN YOUR LOCAL SHOP?

WANTED: Small gifts for children for Santa’s Grotto; prizes for raffle and tombola; donations for stalls: crafts & gifts; cakes; raffle and tombola; plants and gardening; books and jigsaw puzzles. There are boxes at the entrance to the Ascension Chapel, or contact Alison Heywood, Catherine Garland or Eleanor.

SAINTS FOR THIS WEEK: Tuesday - Abbess Hilda of Whitby (680AD); Wednesday – Edmund, king and martyr (870AD); Friday – St Cecilia (c.230AD); Saturday – Clement, Bishop of Rome and martyr (c.100AD)

NOVEMBER (2): In previous Parish News I have reminded you of the need to have a Will, and to plan your funeral arrangements. Both of these will ease the path for your relatives when the time comes, and planning your funeral is an opportunity to think about how important your faith has been in your life, and to reflect this in your funeral service.

This week, I want to emphasise the importance of considering a Power of Attorney. None of us know if through accident or failing health we may find ourselves unable to deal with our financial affairs or to make decisions on our healthcare, or (if you are a parent) to care for our young children. The answer could be to put in place NOW appropriate arrangements via a Power of Attorney. Think about it…. It's too late to do it when you have already become incapacitated!

FOR OUR PRAYERS: We continue to pray for the UN COP Climate Change Conference, and for our own efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and care for creation; we pray for all survivors of abuse, and for those charged with protecting children and vulnerable adults, especially in the Church. We pray for the people of the United States of America and their recently elected politicians. We pray for the care homes of our parish – for residents and their families, and for the staff - and those who provide care for people in their own homes.

We pray for those in need, and especially Paul Jones, Glynis Reynolds, Yvonne Young, Jessica O’Sullivan, Lindsay Wheeler, Martyn Nash, Fran, Ellie Tomlinson, Sara Dray, Robert Hill, Michael, Alan and Beryl Haigh, David Green.

We pray for the recently departed, including Alwyn Marian Chapman. We remember those who have faithfully served God in this Church in previous generations, and we pray for those whose year’s mind occurs this week: Tony Read, Monica Wakelin, Judith Brown, David William O’Sullivan.

FROM THE BELLTOWER: Sunday, 10 November 1263 Stedman Triples 1 Rupert Cheeseman 2 Philip Jarvis 3 Jacqueline Barlow 4 Jane L Kostelnyk 5 Mark Elvers 6 Pam Thomas 7 Neil Jones (C) 8 Stephen Coaker

Rung half-muffled for the Fallen on Remembrance Sunday.