Newsletter for September 11th 2022

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

From the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft

Her Majesty the Queen has been a cherished presence in all of our lives and for the whole of our lives. She has been our example and a rock for the nation and commonwealth. Her devoted service has given stability to the nation throughout this Elizabethan age. Her deep, personal Christian faith has been an inspiration to many, including me.
The whole nation will be united in mourning for our beloved Queen in the coming days. We will need time to grieve and to share our grief with others. We pray at this time for the Queen’s family and especially for Charles as he prepares to become King. This will be a season for deep reflection in the life of our nation as we look back in thanksgiving and forward in hope.
This United Kingdom has deep foundations in Christian faith. A key part of our faith is the distinctive hope of resurrection from the dead: that our life in Christ endures beyond death and for eternity. As we grieve and pray, we also look forward together in hope to that new and eternal life with God.
We have prayed through all of our lives: God save the Queen. We now entrust Her Majesty to her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and commit ourselves afresh to his service and to God’s eternal kingdom.
The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford

Prayers

God of love,
We thank you for the life of The Queen,
for her service to our nation,
and for her faith in you.
Be close to all of us who mourn,
that we may we find comfort and hope in your love,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Everlasting God, we pray for our new King.
Bless his reign and the life of our nation.
Help us to work together
so that truth and justice, harmony and fairness
flourish among us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

(for use with young children)
Loving God,
our Queen has died and people are sad.
Thank you for her long life
and her care for her people.
We pray for our new King.
Bless and guide him as his reign begins.
Amen.

Local Information

Tonight at 6pm in St Michael’s we will be screening a special service of Evensong, live from Christ Church Cathedral, in remembrance of the Queen. Do come and join together to worship God and give thanks for her extraordinary life of service.
The St Andrew’s Opening will go ahead on Saturday at 2pm. We will be marking the Queen’s death with a minutes silence and prayer. A book of condolence will also be open.
A book of condolence is now open in St Michael’s Church.
If you want to lay flowers then there is an area set aside to the left of the Church porch for this.
The opening hours of St Michael’s are being temporarily extended from 9am to 7:30pm each day until the funeral.
The flag is now being flown at half-mast on St Michaels’ Tower. It will be flown at full height on Saturday from 11am till 1pm in celebration of the Proclamation of King Charles III and then return to half-mast until the Queen’s funeral.
After the proclamation tomorrow, the St Michael’s bellringers will ring a quarter peal with unmuffled bells in celebration of the accession of the new King. Then the bells will be muffled until the funeral.
More information will be available over the weekend and throughout next week as arrangements are announced and plans are made. I will keep you up to date with what’s going on at the church via email.

Worship Services This Sunday

St Andrew’s, Dean Court

10:30am Rebuilding Thanksgiving (United Parish Service)

Leaders: Jonathan Widdess and David Wenham

Preacher: Rt Rev’d Sophie Jelley, the Bishop of Doncaster

St Michael’s, Cumnor

8am Holy Communion (1662)

Leader and preacher: Jessica Turner

10:30am United Service at St Andrew’s, Dean Court

St Mary’s, Farmoor

No Service

Online Worship

The 10:30am services in St Michael’s will be live-streamed via our website at:
https://cumnor.org/sunday-service-online/

These will remain available to watch online afterwards.

Please note that there will not be a live-stream on Sunday 11th September due to the United Service for the reopening of St Andrew’s, Dean Court. This will be at 10:30am at St Andrew’s.

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 already at a very 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/

St Andrew’s Reopening

The new church building for St Andrew’s Dean Court is more or less finished and it’s looking wonderful. It will be a fantastic resource for the church and our community for years to come.

The official opening with Bishop Gavin is at 2pm on Saturday 10th September and then there is a special celebration service for the whole Parish on Sunday 11th September at 10:30am. All are very much welcome!

There will also be an 8am service at St Michael’s on that day.

St Michael’s Patronal Festival

In celebration of St Michael’s Patronal Festival, there will be a service of Evensong at 6pm on Sunday 25th September.

Exhibition of Paintings by David Lockett

David Lockett is holding an exhibition of his recent paintings and prints from 11am to 6pm on Sunday 18th September, Saturday 24th September, Sunday 25th September. Other times by arrangement.The exhibition will be held at Wayside, Eaton, Abingdon OX13 5PT (01865 862395)

Holy Communion – Common Cup?

Since the end of the first lockdown we have offered Communion in both kinds (bread and wine) using various forms of intinction by the priest. Earlier in the year the PCC decided to continue as we were, and not return to sharing a common cup. It was also agreed we would revisit the issue in the Autumn.

At our next meeting, we will again be considering whether to resume the sharing of the common cup and it would be helpful to have your feedback when we’re making this decision at our next meeting.
Please email me at vicar@cumnor.org with your views. Jonathan.

Memories Café

Memories Café meets once a fortnight in Cumnor Cricket Club. Our next meeting is Tuesday 13th September 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: 13th September, 27th September, 11th October, 25th October.

Taizé Worship

The songs and readings from our previous Online Taizé services can be found at https://cumnor.org/taize/

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 starts on Friday 23rd September.

It 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

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. 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

💛💙

Staying safe online

Getting online can make life easier in many ways, but there is also a risk of scams and fraud.

Age UK has advice on how to stay safe online.

This Week’s Bible Readings

Psalm 126

Ephesians 3:14-21

This Week’s Collect

Almighty God,
who called your Church to bear witness
that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself:
help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may be drawn to you;
through him who was lifted up on the cross,
and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen

Worship Services in September