Worship Services This Sunday
Sunday 18th December
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
10:30am Carols and Christmas Praises
Leader & Preacher: David Wenham
St Michael’s, Cumnor
10:30am Instant Nativity
Leader: Jonathan Widdess
6pm Carol Service
Leader: Jonathan Widdess
Preacher: Chris Scruby
St Mary’s, Farmoor
3:30pm Carols & Cake
Leader: Jessica Turner
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?
Carols Around the Tree
This Saturday at 5pm in the Churchyard join us for Carols Around the Christmas Tree. Wrap up warm, wear shoes with good grips and bring a lantern! Hot mulled wine will be served.
Instant Nativity
Sunday 18th December, 10:30am
St Michael’s
This Sunday, 18th December at 10:30am, come and join us for our Instant Nativity. Come dressed as your favourite character and sing favourite Christmas Carols. Will you be Mary, Joseph, Shepherd, Angel, Star-Gazer or one of the animals? There’s a role for everyone. Or you can just come as you are – we would love to see you!
Christingle
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.
St Andrew’s Gives Joyful Thanks!
We are very thankful to report that, following our St Andrew’s day of thanksgiving, our Rebuilding Project has now been fully funded – more than £680,000 having been donated over the past seven years. We are enormously grateful to all who have given, and to those who have prayed with us through the years of planning and building.
Most of all we praise God for his faithfulness. We pray that we will now use what we have been given for his glory, to build up his church, and to serve our community in Jesus’ name. We would love to be like St Andrew, who brought his brother to Jesus and helped Jesus in feeding 5000 hungry people!
The Vine Quiz Night
Massive thanks to Richard and Val at The Vine Inn who raised over £100 for the church at their Charity Quiz Night last Sunday evening! Well done too to the Team from St Michael’s who came equal second in a strong field!
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 [email protected].
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.
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: [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
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
Eternal God,
as Mary waited for the birth of your Son,
so we wait for his coming in glory;
bring us through the birth pangs of this present age
to see, with her, our great salvation
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Worship Services in December
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 Communion (family friendly)
Leader & Preacher: David Wenham
St Michael’s, Cumnor
8am Holy Communion
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
10:30 Christmas Celebration
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
St Mary’s, Farmoor
No Service
Please Pray For…
- Our Christmas services and events.
- The conflict in the Ukraine.
- All those who find Christmas a difficult time, and especially those who’ve lost loved ones this year.
- 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 / [email protected]
The Vicarage,
1, Abingdon Road
Cumnor
OX29QN
Kate Elliott
Safeguarding Officer
07782 350491 / [email protected]