A very warm welcome to all
New Year’s Day Sunday 1st January 2023
Readings: Numbers 6: 22-27; Galatians 4: 4-7
Gospel: Luke 2: 15-21
In our Gospel
To view the place where Christ was born, we must humble ourselves. We must bow to enter his presence. On our TV screens and in our newspapers, we see the world standing tall, the taller the more impressive, but to witness the Saviour, you have to get on your knees. On your knees. So… While the theologians were sleeping, while the elite were dreaming and while the successful were snoring, the meek were kneeling. They were kneeling before the One only the meek will ever see. They were kneeling before Jesus. They were the first to share the good news.
War in Ukraine
Please continue to offer prayers for our brothers and sisters caught up in Ukraine’s mayhem. Please think about what you can do to help in any way for those who continue to reach out to the rest of Europe and beyond for our assistance. Whatever method or organisation you use to make donations, please do it rather than think about it. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
Best wishes to Rev’d Roger Dyer and Rev’d Dr Jenny Holden
On Sunday 1st January Fr Roger will commence his role as Interim Priest in Charge at St John’s. I know that you will all join me in wishing Fr Roger all the best as he shares his wonderful ministry with St John’s congregation. We pray for all at St John’s during this period as they seek a new full time Priest. We also pray for Rev’d Dr Jenny Holden as she begins her new diocesan role.
Poem Competition 2023
Just to remind everyone that our Short Poetry Competition was launched on the 4th of December. If you recall how successful our previous competition was it was a ‘no-brainer’ that we should do it again. So, get your artistic thinking caps on once more and let’s see if we can have some wonderful poems as we did the last time. You have until the end of March 2023 to submit your entries, either via email to stmaryscardenplace@gmail.com or if you do not have a computer, on hard copy to either myself or Mr David Rose our webmaster. The rules can be found via the website on the following link to this year’s competition at https://stmaryscardenplace.org.uk/uncategorized/poem-competition-2023/ Further information will be updated and will soon be made available.
Holy Communion rules
Several weeks ago, when we resumed providing the wine during Holy Communion, you may recall that I stressed we cannot allow intinction (dipping the wafer into the chalice). I must stress that this is still in place. Therefore, I ask you to avoid any embarrassment at such a solemn point in our worship, where a refusal could seem offensive, that you would either take directly from the common cup or not at all. Please know that taking in one kind only completely fulfils your participation in the Holy Communion.
Annual General Meeting
On the 5th of February 2023, St Mary’s will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM). This is, therefore, the third notification of the said meeting. There are two posts that need to be advertised annually, these are, the Lay Representative for Synod and the Alternative Lay Representative. Presently Dr Nicola Mills and our Peoples Warden, Mr Iain Stewart hold these posts respectively. Both have offered to continue in the roles unless other names are submitted. Should this be the case, then it will need to be subject to a ballot. I will soon post nomination sheets for anyone who wishes to be considered.
2023 Calendars
Our 2023 Calendars are still available at £10 each.
Services/Events Commencing Sunday the 1st January 2023
Sunday 1st January at 8 am – Holy Communion (1970 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 1st January at 10 am – Christmas Day acapella Sung Eucharist (1982 Cn Terry)
Monday 2nd Jan – Tuesday 3rd Jan – Cn Terry Days off
Wednesday 4th January at 10 am – Holy Communion (1982 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 8th January at 8 am – Holy Communion – (1970 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 8th January at 10 am – Sung Eucharist The Baptism of the Lord (1982 – Cn Terry)
Sunday the 8th Jan Readings: Isaiah 42: 1-9; Acts 10: 34-43, Gospel: Matthew 3: 13-17
“While it is good that we seek to know the Holy One, it is probably not so good to presume that we ever complete the task.”
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer: God is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas)
Cn Terry Taggart:
01224588776/07768219984