Dearest friends,
What does the future hold? If only we could get our crystal balls out and see… fortunately, the Holy Spirit guides and supports us as we figure out where we go next.
This Sunday, we come together at 4 pm for a joint Evensong followed by an hour of discussion about what we would like to see in our parishes over the next 10 years.
In many ways, our future is thrust upon us. We have a shared vicar, we have two buildings, we have two church halls, we have this much money, and that many people…
These things are resources we can deploy, but if we limit our thinking to what we have, we can easily miss what the Holy Spirit is calling us to.
This Sunday, we will attempt to draw together our experience, our prayer, and our will for what comes next. It is no accident that we start this meeting in prayer together in Evensong before meeting as individual parishes, and then as a combined team.
+Paul will be with us to exhort us towards evangelism and mission in our parishes. He will encourage us to reach out to places that are in desperate need of the gospel, and he will call us to work together where we can.
We must look to the future with energy, enthusiasm, and passion for proclaiming Christ. We do so from a strong position of being rooted in our parishes, in scripture and sacrament. We do so from a deep desire to see God’s Kingdom here on Earth.
Please make a special effort to come on Sunday evening. The shape of our parishes, the content of our services, the future of our lives as parishes, led by the Holy Spirit, is in your hands.
Our vision is clear: Proclaim the Gospel and bring souls to the feet of Jesus Christ.
HOW we do that is in our hands to shape.
Fr. Matthew
Notices
Explorers
At the school’s request, the November and December dates have shifted to the 9th of November and 7th December – please make a note!
Last Night of the Proms
Friday 24th at 7pm! Don’t miss this terrific evening of beautiful music and singing – complete with union flags, hats, teas & coffee.
Table Top Sale
This Saturday (18th) 10am at Wickham Hall. A great chance to have a chat, and perhaps find some great ideas for Christmas presents.
Sunday 19th October
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 🟢
9am – Sung Parish Mass [SJ]
11:15am – Patronal Festival [SL]
Followed by bring and share lunch [SL]
4pm – Evensong [SJ]
Mission Planning with +Paul
Divine Office Psalter Week 1, C(I), Trinity 18, Proper 24
Upcoming Dates
October
18th – Table Top Sale, 10am [WH]
19th – St. Luke’s Patronal Feast
Mission Planning with +Paul, 4pm, Wickham Hall
24th – Last Night of the Proms Concert, St. Luke’s, 7pm
26th – Harvest Festival, St. John’s, Bring and Share Brunch
November
9th – Explorers [SC]
15th – Table Top Sale, 10am [WH]
Quiz Night with Fish & Chips, St. Luke’s, 7pm
22nd – Christmas Lights Turn On, stalls at both events
27th – Advent Course, 1st lecture, 7pm, [WH]
30th – Advent Carols by Candlelight, 6pm [SL]
December
7th – Explorers & Christingle, 3-5pm [SC]
13th – Bay Brass Band Concert, 7pm [SL]
20th – 9 Lessons & Carols, 6pm, both churches
21st – Christingle & Crib Service, 3-5pm [SL]
24th – Live Nativity, 4pm [SJ]
Midnight Mass, 8pm [SJ]
Midnight Mass, 11:30pm [SL]
25th – Christmas Day Mass, 10am [SL & SJ]
St. Luke’s Men’s Group meets every Friday for mass at 10am anddiscussion afterwards. [SL]
Table Top Sale at Wickham Hall every 3rd Saturday at 10am.
St. Luke’s Women’s Group meets first Wednesday of every month.