Dear friends,
(Fr Richard is on annual leave this week, until Tuesday, 19 November: please note that there will therefore be no public Morning Prayer, or morning Mass, on Saturday 16 – but all other services will take place at their usual times.)
We continue to live through a tumultuous era, as – around the world – political, geopolitical and environmental forces alter our lives in unexpected ways. However, amidst these changes and chances, the Cross of Christ stands firm – and, in this coming Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus reminds us that, ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.’ Let us therefore place our trust in the One whose faithfulness is great, and whose steadfastness is sure: let us place our hope alone in our Saviour Jesus.
We are invited to patronal celebrations (on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the consecration of the church) in the parish of St Edmund the King, Northwood Hills this coming Sunday, 17 November at 3pm: the Mass will be followed by afternoon tea, and the preacher will be the Rev’d Canon Philip Banks, Canon Precentor at St Paul’s Cathedral.
There is now little more than a week to go until our “Countdown to Christmas” Table-Top Market in the Hall on Saturday, 23 November between 10.30am-5pm. Please bring to church this weekend any outstanding contributions of raffle prizes and/or quality bric-a-brac, and please take home a flier or two, to spread the word! We look forward to seeing you, and family and friends, a week on Saturday.
Before this Saturday, 16 November – please sign up if you wish to come on the coach trip to Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market, on Tuesday, 3 December (£20pp).
And please also sign up in church to assist with our Schools’ Christmas Workshops on Friday, 6 December: we will be welcoming more than 200 children to church from two local primary schools, to learn more about the real meaning of Christmas. Volunteers are required either in the morning, or in the afternoon (or for both sessions!), and refreshments, lunch and instructions will be provided!
A basket will soon appear at the back of church for your donations towards the cost of this year’s Christmas Flowers; however, from this Sunday, either Fr Mike or one of the churchwardens will gladly receive any early-bird gifts.
You will show me the path of life, Lord – at your right hand, happiness for ever,
Fr Richard