Newsletter for September 18th 2022

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

A word from Jonathan

At times like this the right words are often hard to find. Throughout her long reign, and in all the confusions and challenges of a changing world, Her Majesty has been a constant and faithful presence, a rock.

Although she was 96, the death of our beloved Queen has come as a shock. We knew she would die one day, and yet a part of us felt as if she would go on forever. Something in us longs for that constancy and security, for something that doesn’t change. For a rock you can put your foot on and know you can stand firm. The Queen couldn’t be unchanging forever, but her feet were on a different Rock.

Local Updates

On Sunday evening at 7:45pm we will be holding a Candlelit Vigil in the Churchyard during which the one-minute silence will be observed. Tim Pottle will play the Last Post.
The book of condolence will remain open in St Michael’s Church until the end of Tuesday.
The opening hours of St Michael’s are being temporarily extended from 9am to 7:30pm each day until Monday. From Tuesday we will be open each day from 9am to 5pm.
The flag will remain at half-mast until the end of Monday 19th.
The bells will be tolled for an hour from 10am on Monday 19th.
On Monday we plan to screen the Queen’s funeral service in St Andrew’s for any who would like to watch together – join us from 10.45 for the beginning of the funeral at 11am.
Please do let people who might be interested know about these arrangements.

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.

Worship Services This Sunday

St Andrew’s, Dean Court

10:30am Morning Worship

Leader and preacher: David Wenham

St Michael’s, Cumnor

10:30am Holy Communion

Leader: Jonathan Widdess

Preacher: Chris Scruby

St Mary’s, Farmoor

No Service

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 will remain available to watch online afterwards.

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 Weekend

What a wonderful opening weekend for the new St Andrew’s. We thank God for answering our prayers – with good numbers, good weather, good words from two bishops, friends from far and near, from the past and the present. Thank you so much for your support and prayers, a marvellous collaborative two days.

See more photos of the opening weekend

Coffee Pot Launching October 13th

On second and fourth Thursdays 10.30 – 12.00 from 13th October. Drop in for real coffee with some cake! Open to all.

Coming up…

This Sunday 18th at 10.30 we will have a special reflective service on “God and the Queen Strength in Sadness”. Please pray that it will be helpful to all who come. A Book of Condolence has been started, and will be available.
On Monday we plan to screen the Queen’s funeral service in St Andrew’s for any who would like to come together in the new church for that – from 10.45 for the beginning of the funeral at 11am. Please do let people who might be interested know.
Looking further ahead: on Monday 26th at 7.30pm there’s an opportunity to get together to talk informally about the future of St Andrew’s. What should we doing next – in our services and activities? Where does the Lord want us to go? Do come; and it would be really helpful to let David Wenham have ideas for discussion ahead of time.
On Sunday October 2nd we hope to have our Harvest Thanksgiving. Also JOY Place in the afternoon.

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.

Churchyard clear up – October 8th

A group of us will be working together to tidy and clear up the churchyard on October 8th from 10am. There are a range of jobs that need doing. Please contact Jane Vlitos or Chris Evans for more details. All welcome.

Memories Café

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

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.

Volunteer required for BRF

Messy Church Data Admin Volunteer

Messy Church needs help with a data exercise to ensure the Messy Church directory is accurate and up to date.

This limited time voluntary role is an opportunity for someone who has skills or is looking to gain skills in data processing and admin. The successful candidate will need to be confident using IT, including spreadsheets, email and internet research as well as speaking to people over the phone.

Ensuring the Messy Church directory is up to date not only will help BRF comply with data protection standards but also offer a more accurate insight into the reach of Messy Church which will help with raising awareness of all that the Messy Church network does and fundraising opportunities to support this network.

Visit https://www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/jobs/ to download an application form and apply.

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

💛💙

This Week’s Bible Readings

Genesis 12:1-9

Matthew 28:16-20

This Week’s Collect

Merciful Father and Lord of all life,
we praise you that we are made in your image
and reflect your truth and light.
We thank you for the life
of our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth,
for the love she received from you and showed among us.
Above all, we rejoice at your gracious promise
to all your servants, living and departed,
that we shall rise again at the coming of Christ.
And we ask that in due time
we may share with your servant Elizabeth
that clearer vision promised to us in the same Christ our Lord;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
Amen

Worship Services in September