Newsletter for April 30th

This Week

Worship Services

Online Worship

The 10:30am services in St Michael’s are usually live-streamed via our website at: https://cumnor.org/sunday-service-online/

These remain available to watch online afterwards.

Services and Events to Celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III

Charity Concert: The Oxford Commas and High Jinks Join Forces

Get your feet ready for a delightful foot tapping evening of music and camaraderie as acapella group The Oxford Commas and Cumnor ukulele band High Jinks come together for a captivating concert as part of the King’s Coronation celebrations at St Michael’s Church in Cumnor on Sunday 7th May at 7.30pm. Profits from this special event will go to VacProj, a Lincoln College vacation project that has been supporting disadvantaged children in Oxfordshire for over 50 years.

The evening will kick off with High Jinks, a talented and ever so slightly wacky ukulele group, composed of local guys and gals who enjoy various charity performances throughout the year, including the Cumnor Festival. Their lively well loved songs are sure to have you humming along in no time.

Next up, after the interval, The Oxford Commas, an 8-member male acapella group known for their harmonious renditions of music will wow you and touch your hearts with a wide selection of songs from Coldplay to Disney, Ed Sheeran to Broadway hits, John Legend to Elvis. The group regularly runs inspiring primary school workshops and concerts for various audiences and are excited to release their first EP soon and to celebrate their 10th anniversary next year.

The small charity VacProj, to which the proceeds will go, relies on the generosity of charitable trusts, individual donations, and fundraising events. VacProj’s mission is to provide week-long summer holidays for disadvantaged children who are involved with social services. These vacations offer them a valuable break from their daily routines and the chance to experience new activities and adventures. It is evident from many heart-felt testimonials that VacProj is making a considerable positive impact on the lives of these children. The more funds we can raise at the concert, the more children will be able to benefit from VacProj’s life-changing experiences.

Do mark your diaries now and join us for a fun-filled night of exceptional music, all in support of VacProj. Have a great evening out and support a wonderful charity in one fell swoop!

Refreshments will be available during the interval

Tickets are £7 for adults and FREE for children under 18. Purchase tickets at the door. For more info, contact Jean Pryce-Williams on 07927 236961 or email her: [email protected]. Follow The Oxford Commas on Instagram @theoxcommas, visit their website at www.theoxcommas.co.uk, and learn more about VacProj at www.vacproj.org.uk and @vacproj on Instagram.

Hope Explored Course

What’s the best future you could imagine?

There are few emotions more powerful than hope. But these days, hope often feels hard to come by. Where can we find a hope that won’t disappoint us?

Hope Explored looks at the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel, this three-session series shows that Christianity is about real hope: a joyful expectation for the future, based on true events in the past, which changes everything about my present.

Hope Explored does not require a huge time commitment from guests and is one of the easiest ways to introduce someone to Christianity.

The structure of each session is simple: a short Bible study, a talk and a discussion based on the talk.

Jonathan will be running Hope Explored in the Parish starting in June 2023. More details to follow in a few weeks time.

Please pray for the person you are planning to invite and then bring them along!

Giving

“Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

As you may be aware, our Parish finances are at a low ebb. While we know things are difficult for many this winter, we really do need your support. If everyone could give just a little extra every week it would make all the difference.

All your donations to the parish support the church’s ministry, and our mission to reach the wider community with the good news of Jesus.

Apart from the weekly collection, you can also give online. Alternatively, giving regularly by Direct Debit via the Parish Giving Scheme is a brilliant option.

For more information or to give online please visit: https://cumnor.org/giving/

Postponed – Cricket: The Bob Boyles Memorial Match

The Bob Boyles Memorial Match on Monday 1 May has been postponed.

The Coffee Pot

We’re now open again, 10.30-12.30, after our Easter break and have decided not to continue to provide light lunches as this idea didn’t really take off. However, do join us for coffee/tea and cake. We would love to see you. Please note that we’ll be closed on 4 May as St Andrew’s is being used as a polling station.

Memories Café

Memories Café meets once a fortnight in Cumnor Cricket Club. Our next meeting is Tuesday 9th May from 2:30pm until 4pm.

We are a lively bunch who just like to chat, sharing memories, over a cup of tea and cake. We would love to see you. If you would like to know more please contact Jan Harris on 01865 864169.

Toddler Groups

St Michael’s Toddler Group

The St Michael’s Toddler group meets on Wednesday mornings in the Parish Centre, 1 Abingdon Road. Each session costs just £1 and runs from 9am-11am during term times. The group is open to everyone.

For more details please contact Dianne Taylor (01865 862165) or Angela Evans (01865 864397).

St Andrew’s Toddler Group

The St Andrew’s Toddler group meets on Friday mornings in St Andrew’s Church, Orchard Road. Each session has a suggested donation of just £1 and runs from 9:30am-11am during term times. The group is open to everyone.

For more details please contact Sue on 01865 864991

Taizé Worship

The Taizé service on Sunday 7th May, has been cancelled due to the Coronation. The next service will be on Sunday 4th June at 4:30pm.

Online Taizé services can be found at https://cumnor.org/taize/

Choir Practice

St Michael’s Choir hold their practice in Church on Friday evenings at 6:30pm. New members are always welcome. Please contact Andrew Dyer for more details. Tel: 01865 862042 e-mail: [email protected]

Bellringing

The Bellringers practice on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9pm. Please contact Jenny Dyer for more details. Tel: 01865 862042 e-mail: [email protected]. Their website is at https://cumnorbellringers.uk

Make a Difference in Ukraine

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If you would like to use the church for prayer and reflection, a dedicated area remains available in St Michael’s.

You can find information on Hosting refugees, Supporting refugees, Why we should help, and some Prayers & liturgy on the Oxford Diocese Website.

https://www.oxford.anglican.org/make-a-difference-in-ukraine.php

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Bible Readings

Collect

Worship Services in May

Please Pray For…

• The families of Nikki Todd, and Michael Dowsett as they mourn.
• The new headteacher of Cumnor C.E. School who starts work in September.
• The ongoing LLF process, for the Bishops, for church unity, for our shared witness as the Church of England, and for the wider unity and witness of the Anglican Communion at this time.
• A good outcome to the process to find new doctors for Botley Medical Centre.
• More new people to find a living faith in Jesus and join us in church.
• The conflict in the Ukraine.
• Everyone who leads worship, preaches or teaches in our parish.
  

Contacts

Jonathan Widdess

Vicar

01865 863702 / [email protected]

The Vicarage,
1, Abingdon Road
Cumnor
OX29QN

Parish Office

01865 861541 / [email protected]

Kate Elliott

Safeguarding Officer

07782 350491 / [email protected]