A very warm welcome to all
Christmas Day Sunday 25th December 2022
Readings: Isaiah 9: 2-7; Titus 2: 11-14
Gospel: Luke 2: 1-14
Happy Christmas!
And so, here we are once more. A very happy Christmas to each and every one of you wherever you may be this year. I sincerely hope that all of you will be able to celebrate this special day in the way that suits you best, whether alone or with family and friends.
In our Gospel
In today’s Gospel, Luke tells the Christmas story with facts, but John, as we heard at Midnight Mass, tells it with poetry. Luke tells it looking from the outside, John tells it looking from the inside. Luke tells us what happened, John wants us to reflect on what it means. Luke describes an event, John describes a way of being. Luke tells a story of particulars – “In those days” and “in that region.” It’s about a particular place, time, and people. John’s story is cosmic – “In the beginning….” It’s a creation story. Luke has us focus on the child Jesus. John asks us to consider what it means for us to “become children of God,” for the Word of God to dwell in our flesh to the same degree it does in Jesus.
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!
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 last year’s competition at https://stmaryscardenplace.org.uk/poem-competition/ 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 second 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 25th December 2022
Sunday 25th December at 8 am – Holy Communion (1970 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 25th December at 10 am – Christmas Day Said Eucharist (1982 Cn Terry)
Monday 26th December at 10 am – Holy Communion – Stephen – 1st Martyr (1982 – Cn Terry)
Tuesday 27th December at 10 am – Holy Communion – John the Apostle (1982 – Cn Terry)
Wednesday 28th December at 10 am – Holy Communion – The Holy Innocents (1982 – Cn Terry)
Thursday 29th, Friday, 30th December – Cn Terry – Days off
Saturday 31st December – Cn Terry – Admin day
Sunday 1st January at 8 am – Holy Communion – (1970 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 1st January at 10 am – Said Eucharist (1982 – Cn Terry)
Sunday the 1st Jan Readings: 1st Sunday After Christmas; Naming and Circumcision of Jesus: Isaiah 63: 7-9; Hebrews 2: 10-18, Gospel: Matthew 2: 13-23
“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime”
(Laura Ingalls Wilder)
Cn Terry Taggart:
01224588776/07768219984