St Mary's Monkseaton # 238 December 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: First Sunday of Advent
8am Holy Communion
10.00am Holy Communion
4.00pm Advent Carol Service
6.30pm St Mary'sYouth
Advent Message from Clergy
Each week of Advent, Claire and Nigel will be recording a short message in preparation for each weeks service. They will be availalbe on St Mary's Youtube channel, via the website, and through a link in the online newsletter. The first of these can be accessed through the link below.
Journey through the bible
In January we'll be starting a new story based bible study. The aim is to explore the stories that fuel our faith. The course will cover six Old Testament and six New Testament Stories to help us get an overview of the bible. We will hear the stories delivered in a creative way with a bit of time for questions and discussion over a few nibbles. If you're interested please speak to Claire and we will find a time in the week that suits the most people.
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.
Justice and Peace
On an annual basis, Justice and Peace identify charities for St Mary's to support financially. They identify local, national and international charities and the congregation are then invited to vote for one charity from each category. The charities with the highest vote from each sector will receive an equal share of £5,000. Please take a look at the list on the table in the lobby and vote for the charities you would like to see benefit.
Mat 11/19
Invitation, Inclusion and Inspiration.
We are having a break through advent but will be back on Tuesday 14th January when we will be looking at the news headlines from a Christian perspective.
Eco Church.
In the midst of all the world's present business and chaos there is an important, but little publicised, world meeting taking place, to hold in your thoughts and prayers.
The fifth and final meeting of the Global Plastics Treaty is taking place, from 25th Nov. - 1st Dec. in Busan, South Korea. The aim is to reach an agreement on a global instrument to tackle plastic pollution, which is poisoning humanity and nature.
If we don't change and the world doesn't change plastic production will triple by 2060.
We pray for coordinated global policies, that change plastic production and consumption patterns that delivers for people and the planet.
Marion. (Eco rep)
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 venue change.
Because of a school visit in church on Tuesday 3rd December, Craft group will be relocated for one week to the vicarage: 77 Holywell Avenue, NE26 3AG.
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 30th November
11.30: Putting Christmas Trees and lights up (all help appreciated)
12.00 Advent Reflection and Soup, St Peter's Church Monkseaton
Sunday 1st December (Advent 1)
8am: Holy Communion
10am:Holy Communion
4pm Advent Carol Service
6.30pm St Mary's Youth
Monday 2nd December
9.00am: Morning Prayer
9.30am: Toddlers
1.30pm: Toddlers
Tuesday 3rd December
9.00am: Morning Prayer
Marine Park school in church.
10am: Craft Group (In the vicarage)
Wednesday 4th December
9.00am: Morning Prayer
10.30am: Holy Communion
6pm: Choir
Thursday 5th December
9.00am: Morning Prayer
9.30-11am: Pop in Cafe
7.30pm: Bible Study
Friday 6th December
Office closed.
Saturday 7th December
12.00: Soup and roll followed by Advent Reflection
Sunday 8th December (Advent 2)
8am: Holy Communion
10am: Holy Communion
4.00pm Compline
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
Clovelly Gardens
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