Don’t forget the clocks go forward 1 hour on Sunday morning!
This Sunday @ St Michael’s, Cumnor
10:30am Mothering Sunday All-Age Service
This Sunday @ St Andrew’s in Dean Court Community Centre
11:30am Morning Worship
Sunday 27th @ St Mary’s, Farmoor
3:30pm Hymns and Cake
Online Worship
The 10:30am service in St Michael’s on Sunday 27th will be live-streamed via our website at:
https://cumnor.org/sunday-27th-march-2022/
The service will remain available to watch online afterwards.
Electoral Roll
In accordance with the Church Representation Rules, the Church Electoral Roll must be revised each year. If you are not already on the roll and would like to apply now, please complete a form (to be found at the back of the Church) and return to me or put the form in the box (marked Electoral Roll forms) by Sunday 3rd April. Jan Harris 01865 864169
Ukraine – We Can Do Something
Pray
We can pray using Christian Aid’s resources or this prayer for peace from +Steven.
A Prayer for Peace in Ukraine
God of compassion,
Have mercy this day on the people of Ukraine.
Restore to them the gift of peace.
Grant wisdom to the governments of the world.
Bring good in the midst of evil and suffering,
For the sake of Jesus Christ your Son,
Who gave his life to bring peace to your world
Amen.
If you would like to use the church for prayer and reflection, a dedicated area will be available from Friday 1st April.
Act
Christian Aid are encouraging people to sign a change.org petition launched by Together With Refugees member, Freedom From Torture. It’s calling on the government to provide humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine, and asking for urgent concessions on the Nationality and Borders Bill.
Give
Cash donations to a registered and regulated charity are best at this time. You can donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal here: DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Another option is to buy “survival items” from the online aid shop of the charity RefugEase. It sells food parcels, hygiene packs and medical packs.
Don’t Look Away
The Ukrainian Institute has an excellent web site with further information.
Oxford diocese also has a webpage dedicated to a Christian response to the war, which they will keep updated over the coming weeks.
💛💙
Hymns and Cake at St Mary’s
Hymns and Cake’ is the new informal cafe type gathering on the fourth Sunday of every month at 3.30 pm St Mary’s Church Farmoor. We would very much welcome some help with refreshments etc on a regular or not so regular basis. For more info, please call Jean on 07927 236961.
Listen to Jean talking about it on Radio Oxford last week.
Messy Church
Taizé Worship
The next Taizé service will be held in St Michael’s on Sunday 3rd April, again at the earlier time of 4:30pm.
The songs and readings for this month remain available online at: https://cumnor.org/taize-service-march-2022/
Flexicare Community Walk
Sunday 8th May 2022 sees the return of the Flexicare Community Walk. Run, walk, wheel or cycle your way along routes of different lengths and ease on and around the Ridgeway, starting from Snells Hall, East Hendred. Refreshments available. Raising money for Flexicare, an Oxfordshire based charity providing a specilaised sitting service for families with severely disabled children. For further information or to register, visit their website www.flexicare.org
PCC Update
The PCC met on Wednesday evening, with about half of us in the Old School and half joining in by Zoom.
We had a good meeting at which we discussed:
- The fabric of our buildings and thanked the fabric committee for arranging for the new Commonwealth War Grave signs on the St Michael’s churchyard wall.
- Plans to replace the Sextons Hut, destroyed by a falling tree in a storm earlier this year.
- The Optional Fees we charge for Weddings and Funerals, such as heating, use of the organ and live-streaming and video recording licenses.
- How we can reconnect to children, families and young people post-COVID.
- Our concern about and options for responding to the Crisis in the Ukraine. In addition to the information elsewhere in the newsletter, we decided to set aside a space for prayer in St Thomas’ Chapel.
- How we will engage with the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith resources.
- The encouragements and challenges we noticed over the Christmas period.
Volunteers Needed
Opening St Michael’s Every Day – Will You Help?
Now the restrictions have lifted I’d really love for us to be able to open St Michaels again 7 days a week, and to make that possible we need your help. Would you be able to open or lock up one or more times a week? Please contact office@cumnor.org if you can help with this.
Banking the Collection – Will You Help?
Could you help us to bank the cash and envelope collections at St Michael’s? Please contact me on vicar@cumnor.org or ring 01865 863702 for more details. Jonathan.
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 Practice
St Michael’s Choir 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
The Cumnor Bellringers have put together a great new website at https://cumnorbellringers.uk. Why not take a look?
Forthcoming Worship Services and Events
St Andrew’s in the Dean Court Community Centre
27/3 11:30am Morning Worship
3/4 11:30am Morning Worship
10/4 11:30am Holy Communion
St Michael’s
27/3 10:30am Mothering Sunday (All-Age)
3/4 10:30am Holy Communion
4:30pm Taizé Service
10/4 Morning Worship
St Mary’s, Farmoor
27/3 3:30pm Hymns and Cake
St Michael’s remains open for private prayer every Monday and Friday, from 9am-5pm.
Readings
Collect
Merciful Lord,
you know our struggle to serve you: when sin spoils our lives
and overshadows our hearts,
come to our aid
and turn us back to you again; through Jesus Christ our Lord. .
Amen.
Please Pray For…
- The conflict in the Ukraine.
- The staff and pupils at our local schools.
- Those affected by COVID and especially those suffering from Long-COVID.
- Messy Church plans being made for the start of Holy Week.
- Our CMS mission partner Bia.
- The ongoing rebuilding work at St Andrews.
- 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