NOTICES - November 2017
From the Vicar's Desk:
Dear Friends,
As the autumn starts to turn and the leaves change colour, we are reminded that the year is fast coming to a close. As we move towards Advent and Christmas, yes I know, it’s too early to be thinking about THAT, we enter into the last season of the Church year, the season of the Kingdom. The Earth itself appears to be falling asleep around us after the exuberance of summer, to slumber gently until Spring returns. The sleeping Earth is a useful image and a natural one to that of the Kingdom as we look forward and celebrate the time to come when “all things will be gathered up in Christ”. On November 5th we will celebrate All Saints; as we give thanks for those big names, and relatively unknown, people of faith who have inspired and shaped us as we follow in their footsteps this lifelong journey of faith. Then on Wednesday 8th at 9:30am we will hold a Requiem Mass for all those who have died. Later in the month, we will commemorate the Fallen at Remembrance, giving thanks for the freedom we enjoy that was won at such a great price. To some, November in Church may feel a bit morbid as it thinks about the past and those who have died, but there is more to it than that and it gives us reason to hope, as Dame Julian of Norwich famously put it, that “all things shall be well”.
Jesus reminded the Pharisees that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the God of the living, not the dead, underlining the fact that these three patriarchs were very much alive to God even though they had died. That was the seed that gave birth to the idea of the Communion of saints that is very much part of our Anglican inheritance, a vivid demonstration that just because we no longer see some of those we love, they are nonetheless still part of our lives in a tangible way. Just as we keep loving them and hope and pray that all is well with them in God’s good keeping, so too do they love us, praying for and with us each and every day. God holds all things in his loving arms.
Michael
Social Diary:
| Thursday 5 | 11am | Coffee Morning |
| Wednesday 8 | 9.30am | All Souls’ Memorial Service |
| Wednesday 8, 22, 29 | 8pm | Bible Study |
| Wednesday 15 | 8pm | PCC Meeting |
| Friday 17 | 2pm | Knit and Natter |
Dates to remember:
- 18 November - Clean up 10am to 1pm
- 7 to 10 December - Christmas Tree Festival
Upcoming events in November
Next PCC Meeting
Next PCC meeting is 15th November. If you have any issues or concerns then please don’t hesitate to speak to Michael or the Churchwardens.
Bible Study
Every Wednesday at 8pm, except Wednesdays 1st and 15 November.
All Souls Memorial Service
8 November at 9.30am. Please sign the list in the atrium the names of those you would like remembered in the service.
Coffee Morning
Our next coffee morning will be on Thursday 2nd November at 11am in the Old Baptistry.
Upcoming events in December
Christmas Tree Festival - how you can help
Letters have gone out to various companies, associations, charities and individuals within our parish asking if they would like to participate in our festival. If you wish to decorate a Christmas Tree, or know of somebody who would be interested, please let us know in plenty of time. Thank you.
We also need various items for our stalls - Crafts, Cakes, Bric a Brac, Tombola, etc. and we would be very pleased to receive any items you would like to donate. We will need help during the three days and would be grateful if people could sign up on the list in the atrium saying what you can do. Thank you.
Cabaret and dinner
As part of the Christmas Tree Festival, we are holding a dinner with cabaret by local professional singer Howard Dee, on Friday 8th December. Tickets will be on sale shortly.
Events review
Barn Dance
Our first barn dance was a huge success both socially and financially. We made over £700 on the night and people are asking when is our next one!See the Barn Dance photos.
Harvest Festival and Barbecue
We had a good turnout from the Scouts, Brownies and Rainbows and quite a few stayed on for the barbecue which the Scouts were good enough to prepare. Unfortunately, the weather was not good enough for us to be in the garden but this didn’t seem to dampen spirits.
Macmillan Coffee Morning
We raised over £200 this year. Many thanks to all who helped and supported this. A special word of thanks to Sheila King for all her hard work. See the Coffee Morning photos.
Your help needed
Readers and Intercessors
The October-December list is in the narthex. Please sign up if you are able to take on readings or prayers on any Sunday.
Sunday coffee helpers
We are short of a couple of people who can help out with coffee on Sunday mornings. Perhaps not on a regular basis but someone we can call out when usual helpers are unable to get to church. Please speak to Hilary or Ruth if you can help. Thank you.
Epsom Passion Play
Once again Churches Together in Epsom will be staging the play on Good Friday next year. This incredible act of community witness relies on the help and support of volunteers from local churches.
Christmas
Christmas Flowers
Our bear moneybox will be appearing in the church shortly to raise money for our Christmas flower display. We would be grateful for any small donation.
Decorating the Church
We will be decorating the church and putting up the Christmas Tree on Sunday 3rd December after morning service. We would be very grateful if you could stay after church to help with this – the more helpers we have the easier it will be!
Ways to give
Stewardship
Would all parishioners who are tax payers please ensure that any monies they donate to the church are “gift aided”. This will make sure that we receive a tax rebate on all your donations. If you are unsure, please fill out a Gift Aid Declaration (available from Ruth). Thank you.
Donation by Insurers to St Barnabas
Our insurers, Ecclesiastical, will donate £130 to St Barnabas for every parishioner who takes out insurance with them on or before 31 October 2018. Full details on the notice board.
Tesco Bags of Help Reference Number: 18468
Love Me Love My Mind has been selected to take part in In-Store voting for the Tesco Bags of Help scheme. Below a list of stores taking part in the voting for our weekly drop-in project. Feel free to share this list of stores amongst your supporters and within your community.
2191 BANSTEAD EXPRESS SM7 2NN
5371 CRADDOCKS ASHTEAD EXP KT21 1QJ
6320 EPSOM HORTON EXP KT19 8SP
4502 EPSOM RUXLEY LANE EXP KT19 9JS
6321 EPSOM STATION EXP KT19 8EU
2485 EWELL EXPRESS KT17 1PG
2812 LEATHERHEAD KT22 0EF
To vote for LMLMM, you will need to make a purchase within store of any value. You will receive one token per transaction and it's not necessary to purchase a carrier bag in order to receive a token.
Pastoral Visit
If you would like a pastoral visit, or know of anyone living in the parish who would appreciate a pastoral visit, please either contact Father Michael or the church office.
Parish Prayer Chain
Together We Can Make a Difference
Prayer triplets
Please sign up to prayer triplets – list in the narthex.
Birthdays this month: 7th Viviane Sinnock
23rd Jo Campbell
26th Jean Rozier
28th Penny Spring
Sick List: Jim Middleton who is still missing, Doreen, and Charles.
Suggestions: If you have any suggestions or ideas for our monthly parish news then please speak to Michael, Hilary or Ruth.