Newsletter for December 5th 2021
This Sunday @ St Michael’s
10:30am Holy Communion
Join us at 10:30am on Sunday Morning for Holy Communion.
This Sunday @ Dean Court Community Centre
11:30am Morning Worship (coffee etc from 11.15)
Join us in the Dean Court Community Centre on Pinnocks Way at the new time of 11:30am for Morning Worship.
Online worship
The service in St Michael’s will be live-streamed via our website at:
https://cumnor.org/sunday-5th-december-2021/
The service will remain available to watch online afterwards.
COVID update
Given the changes this week that made masks compulsory once more in shops and on public transport, we are again asking all over 11s to wear a face covering in our worship services. Let’s keep protecting each other!
Reading for Sunday
Luke 3:1-6
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”
Christmas Messy Church
After the Messy Church at Home bags we offered over the last year, we’re really looking forward to the return of in-person Messy Church on Saturday 4th December 2021 at 2:30pm. There will be crafts, stories, drama, snacks and lots and lots of fun, to help everyone get ready for Christmas.
It’s for families with children 11 and under.
Please let us know if you’re coming, and if you have any special dietary requirements at office@cumnor.org
See you there!
Taizé Service
This month’s Taizé service is on Sunday 5th December at 6:30pm in St Michael’s.
The songs and readings are also available online at: https://cumnor.org/taize-service-december-2021/
Congratulations to John Rees
Many congratulations to John Rees who has been awarded a Lambeth Doctorate of Civil Law by the Archbishop of Canterbury in recognition of his distinguished service as Provincial Registrar.
St Andrew’s Rebuilding Update
After seven years of planning and fund-raising, the worn-out St Andrew’s Dean Court building has come down. The first one was put up in 1961 at the request of the local community, and with their help in constructing it. We look forward to a larger, eco-friendly and flexible building in summer 2022, to be used for the community as well as the church.
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.
Carols and Cake
Farmoor Village Hall Saturday 11th December at 4.30pm
A chance to sing familiar carols, along with our High Jinks Ukulele band – all welcome!
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/
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.
Memory Café
Memory Café meets once a fortnight in Cumnor Cricket Club. Our next meeting is Tuesday 7th 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 dates: 21st December.
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)
5/12 Morning Worship
12/12 Holy Communion
19/12 Morning Worship
Christmas Day – 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)
19/12 3:30pm Christmas Communion
St Michael’s
4/12 2:30pm Messy Church
5/12 10:30am Holy Communion
6pm Taizé Service
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 2
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.
Please Pray For…
- 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