St Mary's Monkseaton # 237 November 2024
Vicar: Rev Nigel Taylor email: vicar@stmarysmonkseaton.org.uk
Curate: Rev Claire Lewis email: ctfairgrieve.lewis@gmail.com
Please note: Nigel and Claire are not available on their day off which is Friday.
Find out more about our upcoming Services here. If you missed last week's service, or can't make this Sunday, you can catch up online.
Holy Communion Christ the King
PCC Summary
Our PCC met this week and discussed many issues and made several key decisions for our church. Recently our Archdeacon, Rachel, came to our church for her visitation. She affirmed many areas of our church life and was particularly complimentary about our safeguarding work and policies. Thanks to our churchwardens for all the preparation for this visit.
The replacement of the church windows has moved a step closer as council agreed to use North East Glass to complete this work. It will cost £80,000+. A faculty (diocesan permission) is now being sought and then fundraising can really begin.
The budget for next year was discussed in great detail and it will be finalised in the coming days. Provision has been made to pay for an office administrator who will work for 10 hours each week and clerk the Standing Committee and Parochial Church Council. The recruitment process for this post will begin in the New Year as council decided this role is needed to support the work of our church. Thanks was offered to Nigel and Claire for all that they have done in recent months in reorganising the office and streamlining many of the tasks completed by the administrator.
Our Mission Action Plan (MAP) will be prepared in the coming weeks by a team recruited by our Vicar and the same process will be used to look at the current structures of our committees and groups to determine any changes necessary to support the MAP. Council also agreed to hold a congregation consultation about our church space, particularly as funds have been raised through our Autumn Fayre to further develop the audio/visual facilities.
Council expressed heartfelt thanks to Tom Savage and Grace Morgan who have led our church in recent years with all aspects of the Autumn Fayre. They are now stepping down from this task and I am sure the congregation will join me in saying a massive ‘THANK YOU’ to them and all the others who have helped with this fundraiser over recent years.
Children's Society
As the lights begin to come on,please would you consider taking a Children's Society collecting candle to be something you could do to aid vulnerable young people.These candles would be welcomed back at the Christingle service on Dec 15th or at any time over the Christmas period
Thanks Sue and Rick x
Bible Study
We have now started to read and think about the book of James in the New Testament. No prior knowledge is needed to join us, just a willingness to listen, ask questions and learn from each other. If you are interested, speak to Nigel or Claire.
Gift Aid
This is the month we set the budget for the following year. In the process we have realised that we may not be taking advantage of Gift Aid. Donating through Gift Aid means as a church and charity we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give. It will not cost you any extra. We have therefore provided gift aid forms at the back of church so if you pay tax and donate to church, would you mind filling in a form?
If you give via Parish Giving, there is no need to as this is done automatically for you: A real advantage of the Parish Giving system.
Thank you, Finance Group
'How to Godly Play' Coaching
2 day coaching course to be held at St Mary's Monkseaton:
Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd November from 9.30am-4.30pm each day
N.B. these can be attended consecutively to go deeper into the methodology of Godly Play or as separate, stand alone, days to have an initial taster/introduction.
This will be led by Mary Cooper, retired Godly Play U.K. trainer, who will share some of her experience and expertise.
Do come;
· to find out more,
· just to enjoy some Godly Play contemplative story telling,
· to have a refresher in Godly Play methods,
· to enrich your own ministry or parenting.
There are no Course fees for members of St M ary's congregation. Please bring a packed lunch. Drinks will be provided.
Mat 11/19
Invitation, Inclusion and Inspiration.
Our last meeting in the Kittiwake for this year will be on Tuesday 26th November at 7.30. All are welcome to join us for a drink and discussion about current affairs from a Christian perspective.
The 100 Club is up and running again with 82 participants. Thanks to all who have supported
(It’s not too late to join in. 18 places left before the big Christmas draw.)
October winners:
£50 Vicky Scurfield
£30 Tom Furness
£20 Dawn Lee
November winners:
£50 Audrey Searle
£30 Michael Clarke
£20 Elizabeth Charlton
Advent Reflection Series
After the success of the Lent reflections shared between churches of Whitley Bay, we are running a series of reflections on Saturday mornings through Advent. This will be preceded by a simple lunch of soup and bread. Can we therefore have 4 volunteers for soup making when St Mary's is hosting on Saturday 7th December? We are still in need of soup makers so if you are happy to make a soup, please speak to Claire or Nigel
Craft Group
Craft Group meets every Tuesday morning at 10.00 until 12.00. It's a time to bring your favourite craft and socialise with like minded people or perhaps learn a new skill from one of those attending. Enjoy a hot drink and biscuit and make friends.
Christmas Cards
The Christmas season is fast approaching and you may be starting to think about writing your Christmas cards. Before you do, perhaps you might be interested to know that we will be having our usual Christmas Card Greetings board up in the vestibule from 1st December.
Instead of sending lots of individual Christmas cards perhaps you might think about sending just one card to St Mary’s parishioners. A box will be near the board where you can put your card, and we will see that it is displayed on the Greetings board. Everyone is welcome to read the cards so your greeting will be seen by all your friends at St Mary’s.
This way of exchanging Christmas cards has become more and more popular over recent years. It also adds a festive feel to our church.
Dates for the Diary
The Christmas ads are on TV so here are some dates for your diary.
1st December, 4pm | Advent Carol Service |
9th December, 9.30am | Toddler Carol Service |
14th December, 10.30am | Whitley Lodge Community Carols. |
15th December, 4pm | Christingle |
15th December, 6pm | Community Carols and Nativity |
19th December, 8pm | Beer & Carols; Kittiwake pub. |
21st December, 4pm | Blue Christmas (Memorial Service) |
22nd December, 6pm | Carols by Candlelight |
Christmas Eve, 11am | Carols in the Crab and Waltzer |
Christmas Eve, 4pm | Crib Service |
Christmas Eve, 11.30pm | Midnight Holy Communion |
Christmas Day, 10.00am | Christmas Day Family Holy Communion |
Saturday 23rd November
Office Closed
Sunday 24th November (Christ The King)
8am: Holy Communion
10am:Holy Communion (Safeguarding)
4pm Cafe Church
6.30pm St Mary's Youth
Monday 25th November
9.00am: Morning Prayer
9.30am: Toddlers
1.30pm: Toddlers
Tuesday 26th November
9.00am: Morning Prayer
10am: Craft Group
7.30pm: Matt 11/9 Kittiwake
Wednesday 27th November
9.00am: Morning Prayer
10.30am: Holy Communion
6pm: Choir
Thursday 28th November
9.00am: Morning Prayer
9.30-11am: Pop in Cafe
7.30pm: Bible Study
Friday 29th November
Office closed.
Saturday 30th November
Office Closed
Sunday 1st December (Advent 1)
8am: Holy Communion
10am: Holy Communion
4.00pm Advent Carol Service
6.30pm: St Mary's Youth Club
Prayers
Your Prayers are requested for:
Sophie, Martin Cooper, John Hughes, Maureen Price and Jill.
Rest in Peace
Remembering also those whose anniversaries of death fall at this time:
Norman Henderson, Helen Mara Matthews and Rita Gilfillan
We also pray for those who live in
Marine Court
Kommentare