Worship Services This Sunday
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
11am Joint Service for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at Botley Baptist Church
St Michael’s, Cumnor
8am Holy Communion
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
11am Joint Service for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at Botley Baptist Church
St Mary’s, Farmoor
3:30pm Hymns & Cake
Leader: Jessica Turner
Service for Christian Unity
On Sunday 22nd January at 11am we will be joining together with many other churches in Botley and Cumnor for a United Service to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This year the service is being hosted by Botley Baptist Church in their new building, next door to the library, at West Way Square, Botley. All welcome!
There are no 10:30am Services at St Andrew’s and St Michael’s, however, there will be an 8am Holy Communion in St Michael’s that morning, and Hymns and Cake at St Mary’s at 3:30pm.
Sing a song of Unity
At the service, a group of singers will sing a song called ‘Unity’. If anyone would like to join this group, there is a practice at 10:15am on Sunday morning. The song is easy to learn and it will be good to join together with other local Christians.
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.
Holocaust Memorial Day – 27th January
“The most deadly poison of our times is indifference. And this happens, although the praise of God should know no limits. Let us strive, therefore, to praise Him to the greatest extent of our powers.” – Maximilian Kolbe
MAXIMILIAN KOLBE By Dr Nicola Brady
Auschwitz is without parallel as a symbol of dehumanisation and cruelty, and yet it was in this place that St Maximilian Kolbe, through an extraordinary act of love, made a statement about the dignity and worth of the human person that has inspired people all over the world.
Clergy were among the first groups of people taken prisoner in the early days of the Nazi occupation of Poland and so the Franciscan Maximilian Kolbe found himself in Auschwitz. He was standing in the line-up when the SS selected ten prisoners for a mass punishment of death by starvation in retaliation for an escape. One of the inmates being dragged off to the punishment block cried out for his wife and children and Maximilian Kolbe was moved to volunteer to take his place. Inexplicably, the otherwise merciless SS permitted this act of mercy.
It was a life-giving sacrifice on many levels; not only did the man he saved, Franciszek Gajowniczek, survive to return to his family, but he became a lay missionary, working to make Kolbe’s sacrifice an enduring light in the darkness of Auschwitz. Kolbe’s warning about the danger of indifference is today echoed by survivors of the Holocaust, who remind us that the roots of this horror can be traced back to the indifference of people to the othering, isolation and humiliation of their neighbours, which quickly escalated during the war into discrimination, persecution and murder.
Auschwitz survivor Marian Turski says ‘as you listen to me speak as a witness to this past, ask yourself where you are called to be a witness today’.
A PRAYER FOR HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY 2023: ORDINARY PEOPLE
Loving God, you care for each and every human life.
All people are cherished as your beloved children,
no matter how ordinary or extraordinary their stories are.
Today we come before you to remember the victims of the Holocaust.
We lament the loss of the six million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust, the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution,
and victims of all genocides.
May our minds be clear and attentive to their memory,
and our hearts be moved to bear witness to their lives.
Help us all to turn away from hatred and division,
and to build a world where genocide is no more.
Strengthen us so that we, in our own ordinary ways,
may show extraordinary love in the world today.Amen.
From the Council of Christians and Jews
Michael Payne
Mike’s funeral was on Friday at 2:30pm. If you weren’t able to attend in person, it remain available to watch on-line at https://cumnor.org/funeral-of-michael-payne-friday-20th-january-at-230pm/
Please continue to join me in praying for Vivi and the family at this difficult time.
Tony Wyatt
Tony’s funeral is at 1pm on Monday 6th February in St Michael’s. The service will also be live-streamed. Please continue to join me in praying for Esme and the family at this difficult time.
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. While we know things are 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/
The Coffee Pot
Future Plans
During the next few months, which often bring the worst of the winter weather, and when heating our homes has never been more expensive, The Coffee Pot will be providing a warm and welcoming space for all.
To this end I bring you good news about our future plans which are that we reopen on Thursday, 12 January, 10.30-12.00 and thereafter weekly. As from 19th January, we are extending our hours, closing at 1.30pm. So, from 10.30am-12.00pm hot drinks and cake will be on the menu and from 12.00-1.30pm we will be offering a variety of cup soups, rolls and crumpets which we hope will keep everyone warm and fed. Come and join us. Angela Sheppard.
Memories Café
Memories Café meets once a fortnight in Cumnor Cricket Club. Our next meeting is Tuesday 31st January 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: 31st January, 14th February, 28th February.
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
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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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Bible Readings
Collect
God of all mercy,
our Son proclaimed good news to the poor,
release to the captives,
and freedom to the oppressed:
anoint us with your Holy Spirit
and set all your people free
to praise you in Christ our Lord.
Amen
Worship Services in January
Sunday 22nd January
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
11am Joint Service for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at Botley Baptist Church
St Michael’s, Cumnor
8am Holy Communion
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
11am Joint Service for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at Botley Baptist Church
St Mary’s, Farmoor
3:30pm Hymns & Cake
Leader: Jessica Turner
Sunday 29th January
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
10:30am Morning Worship
Leader: David Wenham
Preacher: Chris Scruby
St Michael’s, Cumnor
10:30am Big Story Sunday
Leader: Jonathan Widdess
St Mary’s, Farmoor
No Service
Please Pray For…
- Vivi Payne and family as they mourn for Mike.
- Esme Wyatt and family as they mourn for Tony.
- The PCC who meet on Wednesday evening.
- All those on General Synod who meet in a few weeks to discuss the Bishops’ proposals at the end of Living in Love and Faith.
- More new people to find a living faith in Jesus and join us in church.
- The conflict in the Ukraine.
- 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