Rector’s Update 26/11/24

I am sure that you know that this coming Sunday marks the beginning of Advent as the great cry of the church goes out – Marantha, Come Lord Jesus.  During Advent our sermons will focus on four great themes of this season - waiting, longing, believing and welcoming.  On Advent Sunday itself we have our usual morning services but the 9.30am service at St Mary’s Bucklebury will take the form of a Family Christingle Service and instead of the morning service at St Denys’ there will be an Advent Carol Service at 6pm. 

The advertisement for a new Team Vicar has appeared in the church press – please do pray that we manage to attract someone who we can appoint. God willing, we will interview early in January next year.

On Saturday 7th December 10am – 12noon there is a Christmas Coffee Morning at St Mary’s Bucklebury – all are welcome.

Full details of our Christmas services across the Benefice are available in each Church - please take a leaflet to display or hand on to a neighbour/friend.  Before Christmas itself we have Carol Services as follows:

Sunday 15th December 

4pm     Christmas Celebration (St Peter’s Bradfield Southend)

6pm     Carol Service (St Denys’ Stanford Dingley)              

Friday 20th December

6pm     Carol Service (St Mary Marlston)

Sunday 22nd December 

4pm     Carol Service (St Mary’s Bucklebury)              

As most of you will know we are using a few weeks to ask everyone to review their financial giving to the church - I preached on this on both Sunday 17th and 24th November.   If you missed either talk you can catch up by watching the similar talks that I gave at St Mary’s Bucklebury on Sunday 20th and 27th October which can be found here https://www.youtube.com/@2bsdchurch48/streams. Everyone should have received (or shortly will) a letter setting out the financial situation and asking you to complete a confidential Commitment Card for your giving in 2025 – please do return this by 15th December. Many thanks.

Have a good week.

Steve