Newsletter for December 12th 2021
This Sunday @ St Michael’s
10:30am Morning Worship
Join us at 10:30am on Sunday Morning for Holy Communion.
This Sunday @ Dean Court Community Centre
11:30am Holy Communion (coffee etc from 11.15)
Join us in the Dean Court Community Centre on Pinnocks Way for Holy Communion.
Online worship
The service in St Michael’s will be live-streamed via our website at:
https://cumnor.org/sunday-12th-december-2021/
The service will remain available to watch online afterwards.
COVID update
In line with the Government moving us to “Plan B” this week, masks are now compulsory once more in church, unless you have a valid exemption.
At the moment there’s no need to book for the Christmas services at St Michael’s as we do not have to limit capacity. If this changes we will let you know as early as we can.
Let’s keep on protecting each other!
Reading for Sunday
Luke 3:7-18
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptised by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
12 Even tax collectors came to be baptised. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptise you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.
Carols and Cake – Cancelled
Due to concerns regarding the rapid spread of the new Covid variant and the wish to keep us all safe, sadly, the Carols and Cake gathering in Farmoor Village Hall has had to be cancelled.
The Darkest Night
St Michael’s, Sunday 12th December at 4pm
Everyone is welcome to come to this gentle service, led by Jessica Turner, where we can light a candle in memory of our loved ones, as we reflect on Jesus, the Light of the World, the Light that shines in the darkest places. Maybe you have been recently bereaved, or you wish to remember and honour someone who died a long time ago; if you are not able to attend in person, but would like a candle lit in memory, please contact Jessica on 01865 864435 or the Parish Office.
The service will be livestreamed at https://cumnor.org/the-darkest-night-2021/
Time to Pray
We are having a pre-Christmas ‘Time to Pray’ on Tuesday 14th at 4-5 pm in the CommunityCentre’s Orange Room (enter the Centre by the door on the far left) to pray for the rebuilding, for our Christmas events, and for other concerns. All welcome.
Food Bank gifts
We’ll be going to the Community Emergency Foodbank for the last time this year on Tuesday 14 December. If you’d like to contribute food, practical toiletries or Christmas goodies, please take them to 66 Pinnocks Way or leave them in the red box in St Michael’s on Sunday 12th or Monday 13th. David and Clare Wenham
Carol Singing in the Churchyard
Come and sing all your favourite carols around the Christmas Tree in St Michael’s Churchyard at 5pm on Saturday 18th December.
Nine Lessons and Carols
Our service of Nine Lessons and Carols will be a wonderful opportunity to journey again to Bethlehem with the traditional readings, congregational carols and contributions from the choir. This year’s service will be shorter than usual to help keep us all safe.
It’s on Sunday 19th December at 6pm in St Michael’s and will also be live-streamed.
Unwrapping the Gift of Christmas
On each day in Advent last year we released an online video in which members of the parish retold the stories of the Bible that lead up to Jesus’s birth and hung a special ornament on a Jesse Tree in St Michael’s. If you missed any, or want to go on this journey again the videos are available again at https://cumnor.org/unwrapping-christmas/
Taizé Service
This months Taizé songs and readings are also available online at: https://cumnor.org/taize-service-december-2021/
From January 2nd, the Taizé service will be held in St Michael’s at the earlier time of 4:30pm.
St Andrew’s Rebuilding Update
Work at St Andrew’s continues to go well. This week the last remnants of the old Church building have been removed, the new foundations dug and concrete poured.www.standrewsdeancourt.org.uk
Carol Singing at Westway Square, Botley
Join with other local churches at Botley Saturday Market on Saturday 18th December between 11am and 1.00pm for for singing. Please join us for however long you can manage that Saturday! We shall be collecting for the Oxford Churches Winter Night Shelter that will be operating again this winter from a single site at St. Ebbes Church. Their funding has been hit after the lockdown and they are also seeking volunteers to staff the night shelter. More info on ownsoxford.org. It will be a good way to cheer Christmas shoppers and get the message of Christmas out in song.
Memories Café
Memories Café meets once a fortnight in Cumnor Cricket Club. Our next meeting is Tuesday 21st December 2:30pm until 4pm.
It consists of 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 meetings: 4th January, 18th January,
Toddler Group
The St Michael’s Toddler group meets on Wednesdays 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).
Choir Practices for 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 19th 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
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
December Worship Services and Events
St Andrews @ 11:30am in the Dean Court Community Centre
(coffee etc from 11.15)
12/12 Holy Communion
19/12 11am Informal Carol Service (with Music, Mince Pies and Mulled Juice)
Christmas Day – 10am Christmas Morning Worship
Boxing Day No Service – join with Oxford Diocese Church at Home.
St Mary’s
11/12 4:30pm Carols and Cake (Farmoor Village Hall) – CANCELLED
19/12 3:30pm Christmas Communion
St Michael’s
12/12 10:30am Morning Worship
4pm The Darkest Night – Service for the Bereaved and those who find Christmas difficult
18/12 5pm Community Carols in the Churchyard
19/12 8am Holy Communion (1662)
10:30am Crib Service
6pm Nine Lessons and Carols
Christmas Eve
4pm Christingle
11pm Midnight Communion
Christmas Day
8am Holy Communion (1662)
10:30am Christmas Morning Worship
Boxing Day
No Service – join with Oxford Diocese Church at Home.
St Michael’s remains open for private prayer every Monday and Friday, from 9am-5pm.
Prayers
Collect for Advent 3
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.
Please Pray For…
- All those who have been bereaved over the last couple of years or who find Christmas difficult.
- Those affected by COVID and especially those suffering from Long-COVID.
- Our CMS mission partner Bia.
- The rebuilding work at St Andrews.
- Our Christmas outreach plans.
- Everyone who leads worship, preaches or teaches in our parish.
Contacts
St Michael’s Parish Office
1, Abingdon Road,
Cumnor
OX29QN
01865 861541
office@cumnor.org
The Parish Office email and answerphone are being checked regularly or please get directly in touch with Jonathan.
Jonathan Widdess
Vicar
The Vicarage,
1, Abingdon Road
Cumnor
OX29QN
01865 863702
vicar@cumnor.org
Kate Elliott
Safeguarding Officer
07782 350491