Dear parishioners and friends,   Tomorrow is the Sunday before Advent. For many years it was more popularly known as 'Stir up Sunday', the reason being that the prayer used on this day starts with the words  ‘Stir up’ and goes on to emphasise ‘the fruit of good works’. Generations of preachers used it as a launch pad for sermons on the importance of being prepared, illustrating it with [...]

Dear parishioners and friends,   Yesterday was 'World Kindness Day'. Talking to my 10 year old niece in the USA on a family Zoom call last night, I heard about how it was being emphasised in her school. Kindness is an important quality to have, no matter what your age, particularly at times like this. Below you will see an infographic detailing one form of practical kindness which is [...]

Dear parishioners and friends,   Tomorrow 8th November is being observed as Remembrance Sunday. The service was recorded in St Luke's Church and will be available on the Parish YouTube Channel from this evening. The full Order of Service is attached. It contains all the readings and prayers and is appropriate for personal use. The link to the YouTube Channel is here:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZDmEQt2VvcJI9ErW29vxPA/videos Remembrance Sunday 2020.docx   I [...]

    Dear parishioners and friends,   Earlier this morning the 5th in our series of reflections on the Book of Genesis was put up on the Parish YouTube Channel. This time it focuses on the character of Jacob who features in the second half of the book. I would like to thank the Revd Hazel Minion for contributing this piece and reminding us about how the story of [...]

          Dear parishioners and friends,   Tomorrow is All Saints' Day and so from this evening you will be able to view the recorded service from St Michael's Church for this major festival. It is a time to thank God, not only for the people of great faith in past generations, but also for those who have a positive impact today and have been an [...]

        Please click on link to view Parish Matters for November 2020 Parish Matters November 2020  

Dear parishioners and friends,   One of the best known characters in Genesis is Joseph. You may have first heard the story of his life when you were in school. He first makes an appearance in chapter 37 so don't worry if you are reading a chapter a day and haven't come across him yet. Jacqui's reflection is to whet your appetite! Enjoy watching it on our parish YouTube Channel [...]

  Dear parishioners and friends,   Please find the attached copy of the text of tomorrow's service for your reference. You might like to  print it off and distribute it to those in your family, or to other parishioners who do not have access to the internet. Tomorrow is being observed as Bible Sunday and so we will be reflecting on the place the scriptures play in our life and [...]

        Dear parishioners and friends,   Today we start a 6 week period of Level 5 public health restrictions. I know this is going to be hard for many of you, but it is necessary if we are to suppress the spread of Covid-19 and hopefully look forward to the easing of restrictions in December. Please look out for and keep in touch with each other in [...]

Dear parishioners and friends, The discussion in the media in recent days about the increased infection rates of people with COVID-19 is naturally causing concern to many of you. I don't need to repeat the public health advice, except to remind you that the simple actions of handwashing, wearing face coverings, keeping social distance and reducing social contacts, are the ways in which we will overcome this pandemic. The [...]