Worship Services This Sunday
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
10:30am Morning Worship
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
2pm International Christmas Celebration
Led by: Roger Long
St Michael’s, Cumnor
8am Holy Communion (1662)
Leader & Preacher: Jessica Turner
10:30am Morning Worship
Leader & Preacher: Chris Scruby
4pm The Darkest Night – Bereavement Carol Service
St Mary’s, Farmoor
No Service
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.
Christmas Services
Whether you love Christmas and can’t wait for it to arrive or you find this time of year a bit difficult, whether you’re older than you look or younger than you feel, whether you’re all “Ho! Ho! Ho!” or more “Oh No!”, we’ve something going on for everyone this Christmas. Come and join us, and, why not bring your friends and neighbours along too?
Join the Choir for the Carol Service
Andrew invites anyone who wants to join the choir for this years Carol Service to join them for rehearsals from this Friday.
The traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols is on Sunday 18th December at 6pm in St Michael’s.
St Michael’s Choir practice in Church on Friday evenings at 6:30pm. New members always welcome. Please contact Andrew Dyer for more details. Tel: 01865 862042 e-mail: ajdyer47@hotmail.com
The Darkest Night
Sunday 11th December, 4pm
A Service for the Recently Bereaved and Any Who Find Christmas a Difficult Time of Year
Grieving for someone we have lost is always an intensely personal process and no one else can fully share what we have experienced. Times of mourning differ widely from person to person and long afterwards a piece of music, a place, a scent, an anniversary or a particular season of the year can bring memories flooding back to us, as though our parting was just yesterday. Sometimes our memories are full of joy and love – sometimes they are overshadowed by past hurts and pain. Of course, those memories are all the more poignant at Christmas-time.
Over the years, many people have found our Service for the Bereaved very helpful in their grieving process. It offers a special time to remember and give thanks for those who have departed, and it provides a gentle, reflective space, to gather with others who have also lost someone during the past year.
You and your family are warmly invited to join us – if you think that the service might be helpful to you, just come along.
Instant Nativity
Sunday 18th December, 10:30am
St Michael’s
Our Instant Nativity is on 18th December at 10:30am. There is no rehearsal, so everything happens on the day. Come along dressed as Mary, Joseph, Angels, Shepherds, or Star-watchers/Wise Men – there’s a part for everyone.
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, and we expect that the energy price rises will hit the church hard. While we know things will be 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/
Reverse Advent Calendar
As we approach Christmas, the season of giving, we’re inviting you to join in this year with a Reverse Advent Calendar. No one should have to go hungry this Christmas (or any other time!), so we’re asking you to buy items of non-perishable food for the Oxford Food Hub. You can choose whether to buy one item for each of the four Sundays in Advent or for each day from December 1st to 24th. We know this is a difficult time for many, so please don’t feel any compulsion to give more than you can afford. Even one item will make a difference!
There is a collection box in St Michael’s, another outside The Vicarage, and another outside 66, Pinnock’s Way. All the gifts will be taken to the food hub after Christmas. Thank you for your gifts to help those in need this Christmas.
Advent Calendar
This Advent, on the St Michael’s page and the Cumnor Community group on Facebook you can find the Parish Advent Calendar. There’s a brief thought or action for each day through to Christmas along with reminders of all the great things that are going on at Church in the run-up to Christmas. Why not share it so others can join in too?
The Vine Quiz Night
Sunday 11th December, 7:30pm
The Vine are holding a charity quiz night on Sunday 11th December at 7:30pm to raise money for our Church funds. Teams need to be from 1-4 people, and entry is £2 per person. The winning team get £50. I’m planning to enter a team, and if anyone wants to come and join the fun, but isn’t sure who to ask then let me know and I’ll organise another team! Email me at vicar@cumnor.org – Jonathan.
Christmas Concert by Wantage Concert Brass
Friday 16th December, 8pm
Join us at 8pm on Friday 16th in St Michael’s for a wonderful evening of Christmas Music and Carols with Wantage Concert Brass (MD Neil Brownless). Tickets are available online here, from Cumnor Post Office or on the door.
Light refreshments will be served during the interval.
Adults £8, Concessions £6, Family Ticket (2A + 2C) £25.
Would anyone be able to come and help me serve refreshments as we welcome our community into the church? Email Jonathan at vicar@cumnor.org.
Memories Café
Memories Café meets once a fortnight in Cumnor Cricket Club. Our next meeting is Tuesday 20th December 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.
Future dates: 6th December, 20th December.
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 new 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 next Taizé service will be held in St Michael’s on Sunday 5th February, 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: ajdyer47@hotmail.com
Bellringing
The Bellringers practice on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9pm. Please contact Jenny Dyer for more details. Tel: 01865 862042 e-mail: jadyer55@hotmail.com. Their website is at https://cumnorbellringers.uk
BRF – Trustees Needed
BRF are are looking for two Trustees with particular areas of experience and expertise to join their Board of Trustees: a Digital Trustee and a Legal Trustee.
They write, “We are looking for a new trustee to join our board to bring knowledge and understanding of the digital world and provide guidance to help BRF maximise the digital aspects of its ministries and identify future digital opportunities.
“We are looking for a new trustee to join our board to provide informal guidance and support to BRF’s Board of Trustees and the Chief Executive on governance and legal matters.”
For further information and application details, see their website, https://www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/jobs/
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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This Week’s Bible Readings
This Week’s Collect
O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever
Amen
Worship Services in December
Sunday 11th December
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
10:30am Morning Worship
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
2pm International Christmas Celebration
Led by: Roger Long
St Michael’s, Cumnor
8am Holy Communion (1662)
Leader & Preacher: Jessica Turner
10:30am Morning Worship
Leader & Preacher: Chris Scruby
4pm The Darkest Night – Bereavement Carol Service
St Mary’s, Farmoor
No Service
Sunday 18th December
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
10:30am Morning Worship
Leader & Preacher: David Wenham
St Michael’s, Cumnor
10:30am Pop-up Nativity
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
6pm Carol Service
Leader: Jonathan Widdess
Preacher: Chris Scruby
St Mary’s, Farmoor
3:30pm Carols & Cake
Leader: Jessica Turner
Christmas Eve
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
No Service
St Michael’s, Cumnor
4pm Christingle
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
11pm Midnight Communion
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
St Mary’s, Farmoor
No Service
Christmas Day
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
10:30 Christmas Day Communion
Leader & Preacher: David Wenham
St Michael’s, Cumnor
8am Holy Communion
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
10:30 Christmas Day Service
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
St Mary’s, Farmoor
No Service
Please Pray For…
- The Church of England as the Bishops meet this weekend as they continue to consider the way forward in responding to Living in Love and Faith.
- Our Christmas services and events.
- Andy and Tess who got married in St Michael’s on Friday 2nd December.
- The conflict in the Ukraine.
- All those who find Christmas a difficult time, and especially those who’ve lost loved ones this year.
- The Darkest Night, our bereavement carol service on Sunday 11th December.
- More new people to find a living faith in Jesus and join us in church.
- Everyone who leads worship, preaches or teaches in our parish.
Contacts
Jonathan Widdess
Vicar
01865 863702 / vicar@cumnor.org
The Vicarage,
1, Abingdon Road
Cumnor
OX29QN
Kate Elliott
Safeguarding Officer
07782 350491 / KateE@cumnor.org