Worship Services This Sunday

St Andrew’s, Dean Court

10:30am Morning Worship

Leader & Preacher: David Wenham

St Michael’s, Cumnor

10:30am Holy Communion

Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess

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.

Messy Church

Our Christmas Messy Church is on Saturday 3rd December from 2pm-4pm in St Michael’s. Craft, Stories, Drama, Food and Carols for families with children under 11 years. It’s free and everyone is welcome. RSVP if you’re coming to office@cumnor.org

St Andrew’s Day

St Andrew’s day was on November 30th, and St Andrew’s congregation are having a special service of thanksgiving for their wonderful new building the following Sunday December 4th. It will also be a gift day: we plan to close the Rebuilding Fund soon after that, and we would love to raise the remaining funding shortfall (about £12,000) by then, rather than carry the outstanding amount over into the regular parish accounts. We are very thankful to those who have given to the rebuilding. Any further gifts/pledges, however small, will be gratefully received. We will also be grateful for your prayers that the physical rebuilding will be followed by the rebuilding and development of our ministries in Dean Court and the surrounding area. (Details of how to give online are on the St Andrew’s website: www.standrewsdeancourt.org.uk/rebuilding). David Wenham.

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?

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, 8pm

The Vine are holding a charity quiz night on Sunday 11th December at 8pm 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.

The Coffee Pot

8th December, 10:30am

This is going to be a very special Coffee Pot as it will be our last before Christmas. So, in addition to coffee, cake and chat, we will be having a Christmas Gift Table in aid of Crisis at Christmas with all sorts of goods on offer for you to buy in order to raise money for this cause. Also, our wonderful cake-maker, whose cakes you have been enjoying ever since we opened, will have her own table of festive fare on offer and there will be cards on sale in aid of Sobell House. So, lots going on. Please do come and support the occasion and spread the word. I am also thrilled to announce that, as from Thursday, 12 January, The Coffee Pot will open weekly. My thanks to all those who have come and enabled The Coffee Pot to take off in style. Angela Sheppard

Memories Café

Memories Café meets once a fortnight in Cumnor Cricket Club. Our next meeting is Tuesday 6th 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.

PCC Update

At this weeks PCC meeting we:

  • Listened together to the still, small voice of God’s Spirit speaking to us through John 1:1-14.
  • Agreed to designate the money we’ve received from the dissolution of the Olive Herbert Trust for use on the fabric, tower, bells and churchyard of St Michael’s
  • Approved, subject to legal advice, a loan to the Cumnor Church House Trust, the charity which owns the Church Cottages. This will mean they do not need to be sold and will again be able to provide regular income for the church beginning next year.
  • Were encouraged by growing attendances at both St Andrew’s and St Michael’s.
  • Heard about the plans for Messy Church and our other Christmas Services and Events.

J.John on the 2022 Census

It was good to read this letter from J.John in the Times this week:

Sir, The census figures on religious belief come as no surprise to those of us on the front line of evangelism. The general picture they reveal confirms what we have long known: Christianity is no longer the default religious belief in our society. The plane is descending so rapidly that unless action is taken disaster looms imminently. We need a better, more positive and more dynamic strategy. In my view, what is needed is not a stripped-down creed tuned to the prevailing mood of the culture. That will not work: no one goes to church to hear exactly what they get from the media and from their friends and colleagues. What will bring them in and see them committed to the church is the full-blooded, confident preaching of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Paradoxically the way to change the census figures is to ignore them, and instead focus on producing changed lives through Jesus Christ.

The Rev Canon J John

Director, Philo Trust

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

Make a Difference in Ukraine

💛💙

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

Esther 4:1-17

Matthew 5:13-16

This Week’s Collect

O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power

and come among us,

and with great might succour us;

that whereas, through our sins and wickedness
we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us,
your bountiful grace and mercy

may speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever.
Amen

Worship Services in December

Sunday 4th December

St Andrew’s, Dean Court

10:30am Morning Worship

Leader & Preacher: David Wenham

St Michael’s, Cumnor

10:30am Holy Communion

Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess

St Mary’s, Farmoor

No Service

Sunday 11th December

St Andrew’s, Dean Court

10:30am Holy Communion

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.
  • Messy Church on 3rd December.
  • 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