Newsletter for October 31st 2021
Don’t Forget – BST Ends This Weekend
British Summer Time comes to an end this weekend so don’t forget to set your clocks back 1 hour.
This Sunday @ St Michael’s
10:30am CAP Sunday
Join us at 10:30am on Sunday morning in St Michael’s for Morning Worship. Jessica Turner will be leading and our speaker is from Christians Against Poverty.
This Sunday @ St Andrew’s
10am
Join us at 10am on Sunday morning in St Andrew’s for Morning Worship. David Wenham will be leading title is: Poverty, Planet and Plans for St Andrew’s, (or CAP, COP and the future of St Andrew’s!) with readings Amos 5:10-13, 21-24 and Luke 16:19-31.
Online worship
The 10:30am Service in St Michael’s will be live-streamed via our website at:
https://cumnor.org/sunday-service-31st-october-2021/
The service will be available to watch online afterwards.
Collect for Fourth Sunday before Advent
Almighty and eternal God,
you have kindled the flame of love
in the hearts of the saints:
grant to us the same faith and power of love,
that, as we rejoice in their triumphs,
we may be sustained by their example and fellowship;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Reading for Sunday
Luke 14:1-24
14 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. 2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.
5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.
7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honoured in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
The Parable of the Great Banquet
15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”
St Andrew’s Rebuilding
At the time of writing we expect our last Sunday in the present St Andrew’s Dean Court building will be 7th November, which will be a service of Holy Communion with Jonathan leading and preaching. From Sunday 14th, the St Andrew’s congregation will be meeting in Dean Court Community Centre on Pinnocks Way.
Creation Care Course
This Monday (November 1st) the final session will include Chris Scruby filling us in on vital questions of energy-generation and use, and we will discuss ‘The Church as Change Maker’. Come and join the discussion!
Videos, Bible teaching, discussion, refreshments (bring a mug if you can). Monday evenings 7.30-9.00pm at St Andrew’s.
Memory Café
Memory Café has started up again. We meet once a fortnight in a new venue, Cumnor Cricket Club. Our next meeting is Tuesday 9th November 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: 23rd November, 7th December, 21st December.
Job Vacancy – Deanery Secretary
(Self-employed / Freelance)
The Abingdon Deanery is seeking an adaptable person to provide secretarial and administrative support to ensure the smooth running of the Deanery. They will work closely with the Area Dean, the Lay Chair and Deanery Treasurer in leading the work of the Synod, especially by providing information and documents.
The ideal candidate will be computer literate; extremely organised; with a working knowledge of the Church of England and sympathetic to the Christian faith; be flexible and patient with a good sense of humour.
Hours: Flexible (average 18 per month but varies through the year)
Rate of Pay: £12.50-£14.00 per hour depending on qualifications & experience
For a full Job Description please see the Abingdon Deanery Website
Applications to: the Lay Chair, Sue Scott, on email: suescott719@gmail.com or telephone: 07779 855615
Closing date: 8th November 2021
Taizé Service
The Taizé service for October is still available.
With readings, prayers and meditative sung worship, it’s still the perfect way to find some peace in the stresses and strains of life.
https://cumnor.org/taize-service-october-2021/
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).
Bible Club at Matthew Arnold
Volunteers still needed.
Prior to lockdown we were running a successful and growing Bible Club in Matthew Arnold School. The school are keen to have us back, and I want to build a team to restart it as soon as possible.
Would you be able to spare about an 1 hour on a Wednesday lunchtime during term-time to help teenagers learn about the Christian Faith?
Please pray about it and get in touch if you think this might be something for you.
Jonathan. (vicar@cumnor.org)
Choir Practice
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
Forthcoming Worship Services
St Andrew’s @ 10am
31/10 Christians Against Poverty Sunday (David Wenham)
7/11 Holy Communion (Jonathan Widdess)
14/11 Morning Worship (David Wenham / Eve Lockett) in Dean Court Community Centre
21/11 United Service at St Michael’s
St Michael’s @ 8am
21/11 Holy Communion 1662 (Jonathan Widdess)
St Michael’s @ 10.30am
31/10 Christians Against Poverty Sunday (Jessica Turner)
7/11 Holy Communion (Jean Pryce-Williams / Eve Lockett)
10:40 on 14/11 Remembrance Sunday – Meet at War Memorial or start in Church
(Jonathan Widdess / Jean Pryce-Williams / Helen Garton)
21/11 Morning Worship (Jonathan Widdess / Bishop Gavin)
St Michael’s remains open for private prayer every Monday and Friday, from 9am-5pm.
Please Pray For…
- The staff and pupils of the local schools as they return after half-term.
- COP-26 and those affected around the world by the Climate Crisis.
- Those affected by COVID and especially those suffering from Long-COVID.
- Our CMS mission partner Bia.
- The 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