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This page contains the topical news from the centre pages of the weekly pew leaflet....  


FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Monday 17th           2.30 pm    Highfield Service

                                 7.30 pm    Spellbrook Safe Crossing meeting at School

                                 7.45 pm    House Group at 34, Forebury Avenue

                                 7.45 pm     Bellringing practice

Tuesday 18th          9.30 am    Tiny Tot and Toddler Service in Church

                                 10.00 am  Tiny Tots in the Parish Hall

                                 10.30 am  Funeral of Joan Blackaby in Church

                                 1.30 pm    Mothers' Union meeting in Church House

Wednesday 19th    10.15 am  Spellbrook School Service

                                  11.30 am  Funeral of Mary Crump at Parndon Wood

                                  12 noon    Deanery Clergy Chapter at High Wych

                                  2.30 pm    Staff meeting at The Vicarage

                                  6.00 pm    Wedding Service preparation at the Vicarage

                                  8.15 pm     Mission Group meets in the Parish Office

Thursday 20th          Edmund, King of the East Angles, Martyr, 870

                                  9.30 am    Eucharist (Order One)

                                 10,30 am  onwards Home Communions

                                 11.30 am  Funeral of Joan Foott in Church

                                  2.30 pm   Funeral of John Hills in Church

                                  7.45 pm   PCC Committees meet

Friday 21st               6.45 pm   Junior Choir practice

                                 7.30 prn    Full Choir practice

Saturday    22nd     7.00 pm    Fun Quiz Night in Church House

Sunday      23rd       CHRIST THE KING - Year A

                                  8.00 am Eucharist (Order One)

                                  9.30 am PARISH EUCHARIST (order one)

                                 11.30 am Holy Baptism: Veronika Bushell, Laura Purton,

                                      Emilia Goodman and Gracie Halts 

                                  6.30 pm Evensong (BCP)

NOTICES

FIVE TALENTS: After Sunday's this Gospel reading, Shona Passfield spoke at the 9.30 am service about the work of 'Five Talents' of which she is a Trustee. Five Talents is run by Tom Sanderson (husband of Rachel) and we have in the past supported its work from this parish.        Click here to find out more.   Robert

TRAVELLING CRIB: The idea of the travelling crib is to allow families to 'host' the figures of Mary and Joseph on their journey around the Parish during Advent. It is an ideal way to prepare for Christmas. The crib is delivered to you by the previous 'host family' at an agreed time and you agree a time to deliver the crib to the next hosts. This year we hope to have a flock of sheep travelling with the Crib! You should keep and care for one of the knitted sheep which you bring to the Crib service on Dec 24th at 4pm (or the morning service on Dec. 21st). Please sign the list at the back of Church if you would like to give hospitality to Mary and Joseph this Advent. Lucy Hart

QUIET DAY AND PARISH RETREAT: Our Pre-Advent Quiet Day will be held at the Retreat House, Pleshey on SATURDAY 29th NOVEMBER. This year I will be leading the day on the theme 'Waiting for God' and it will be based around some of the Psalms. Details and booking forms are now available and should be returned by SUNDAY.       Robert

ADVENT LUNCHES: During Advent we wilt hold lunches on Thursdays in Church House. There will be three beginning on 27th November. The funds raised, like last year, will be going to the Church Housing Trust which does excellent work with the homeless. Offers of soup and help are now needed. Please sign the lists at the back of Church.           Robert

FUN QUIZ NIGHT: We will be organizing another 'Fun Quiz Night' on Saturday 22°d November in Church House. The emphasis is on enjoying ourselves rather than competition, but no doubt there will be a bit of that too! Teams of up to six people will be needed. You can either arrange your own team or we will help to arrange a team for you. The evening will include a fish or chicken and chip supper (vegetarian option available) but you wilt need to bring your own drinks. Tickets £6.00 available TODAY from Christopher Cook.  Robert & Elizabeth

2009 YEAR'S MIND: If you would like a departed friend or relative remembered at the anniversary of their death next year, please complete one of the lilac forms at the back of Church. We do not carry names over from one year to the next. Robert

ADVENT SUNDAY: This is on 30th November. As usual the Evening Service wit[ be our Advent Carol Service 'Come Lord Jesus!' This is a very special candlelit service moving from darkness to light. Alt are welcome: do come!  Robert

FRIENDS' CONCERT: On Saturday 13th December at 7.30 pm in Church,
Austin James and Philip Leader will present a concert entitled `The Glory of Love'.
Tickets are £8.00 and available from the Cafe of Angels, The Tuck Shop or me.
Margaret Hansford

P.A. SYSTEM: The new amplifier for the 'Induction Loop' has been installed and hopefully, the system is now working property! We are still without one radio lapel microphone, which is being repaired, but hopefully this will be back soon. We apologise for the inconvenience!       Robert

HARVEST GIVING: A cheque for £1056.00 has been sent to `The Bishop of St
Albans Harvest Appeal which is a fantastic result. Thank you very much indeed.
Robert

UPDATE ON MARLENI'S CONDITION: We have now received news from the Dominican Republic that Marleni is receiving hormonal treatment in order to regenerate her bone marrow as the specialist believes that this will give better results in her case. We have sent a cheque from church for £300 towards her medical expenses (the maximum allowed under Tearfund rules). If anyone would like to make a contribution towards this, please make cheques payable to 'Sawbridgeworth PCC' and mark the envelope 'For Marleni'. Thank you for your continued prayers for her and her family.           Caroline Lewis

THANK-YOU: To all who supported the M.U. Coffee Morning on October 25th for mothers and babies in Burundi. The amount raised was £192.19! Lilian Davis (Branch Leader)

FRIENDS' CHRISTMAS CARDS: Packs of 10 cards (two different designs from past years) are available at the knock-down price of £2.50 a pack! If you would like some, then please contact Viv O'Leary.

ADVANCE NOTICE:

:•    Sunday 30th November          6.30 pm Advent Service 'Come, Lord Jesus!'

.•    Saturday 6th December         4.00 pm 'Lights of Love' in Baker's Walk

:•    Sunday 10th December         3.30 pm  Christingle Service

.•    Saturday 13th December     10.30 am Friends' Carol singing in Bell Street

.•    Sunday 21th December          6.30 pm Nine Lessons and Carols


CONTACT DETAILS:

The Vicar and the Parish Office can be contacted by e-mail:

Robert’s is on:       robert.sibson@btinternet.com

The Parish Office is on:       gtstmarys@tiscali.co.uk

New opportunities to share in pastoral support and ministry

There are new opportunities for members of our congregation to explore ways of supporting members of our community.

Please read it, pray for guidance as to how best you might become involved, and speak to those named if you would like to find out more.

A prayer for each of us in our vocation.

Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church
is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,
that in their vocation and ministry
they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the
glory of your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen

"As they grow up, they will need the help and encouragement of the Christian community, so that they may learn to know God in public worship and private prayer, follow Jesus Christ in the life of faith, serve their neighbour after the example of Christ, and in due course come to confirmation.

As part of the Church of Christ, we all have a duty to support them by prayer, example and teaching."

So says the Baptism service, and nurturing children and families in the Faith is part of our Christian responsibility.

Baptism Visitors Scheme

Before          - We want to get to know families

During          - We want to support them at the Service

After            - We want to keep in touch with them

Elizabeth Sibson is going to be co-ordinator of our new Baptism Visitor Scheme.

If you would like to help with this, then speak to Robert  or Elizabeth.

 ******************************************************************************

Could you give a lift to the Library?
Could you offer a walk in the park?
Could you share a few hours of friendly chat?

If any of these are possible, then you might be interested in joining our...

Befrienders Scheme

There are many people in our parish, of all ages and situations, who would be grateful for a small amount of help with simple tasks. Others would welcome having a regular visitor with whom to share a chat and cup of tea, at home or out and about. We are looking for volunteers to act as befrienders to members of our community.

If you are interested in knowing more, please speak to Robert.

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