A very warm welcome to all
Refrain for Psalm 72: “Give the King your judgements, O God.”
Second Sunday after Christmas
Readings: Isaiah 60: 1-6; Ephesians 3: 1-12
Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12
In our Gospel today
The Feast of the Epiphany is one of the major festivals of the Church, although its significance is not always well understood. The story of the three “wise men”, or ‘Magi”, is of course a somewhat mysterious one. Who were they, and what were they seeking, and why? Often, we are distracted by the narrative of Herod’s deviousness (and indeed cruelty, as we saw with the Holy Innocents). But what is really at the heart of the evangelist’s intention with his story?
In about a month we will be reminded, at the Feast of Candlemass, that Jesus is “a light to lighten the Gentiles”, which has a resonance in the account of the star that the Magi were following. But perhaps one thing we can focus on particularly is what has for centuries been suggested in the Collect for the Epiphany: that now we know God “by faith”, and that our destiny is to come to know God completely, as we may believe the Magi did. So let us enter into this new year with renewed faith, even as we continue to seek God in God’s continuing revelation to us in our lives. The Epiphany is a feast of Revelation.
Advent to Candlemas Course
If you are looking for spiritual focus during Advent, Christmas and Epiphany you might like to try the Diocesan ‘Advent to Candlemas’ course that has been prepared by our friend Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden the Diocesan Advisor for Christian Life. There is a little something to stimulate thought and prayer each day. The link to this from the Diocesan website is below. I warmly commend this to you. Revd Roger Dyer (Assistant Priest).
https://aoepiscopal.scot/diocesan-advent-to-candlemas-course-2025/
Christmas Selection Box Collection
A very big thank you to all who donated Christmas Selection Boxes. These were donated to Barnardo’s the week before Christmas and were very much appreciated.
Tin Christmas Tree
Thank you very much to everyone that donated tinned food for our Tin Christmas Tree in 2024. The tins will be distributed to local charities or foodbanks.
East Garden Project
Good news! We have received formal approvals for Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for the formation of the new East Garden Project at St Mary’s. We can now concentrate on funding applications in the new year.
St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Annual General Meeting
St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Annual General Meeting will take place after the 10am Service on Sunday 2nd February. Bishop Anne Dyer will be with us for the service and the AGM. Reports for the AGM should be available to send to the Diocesan Office about one week before the AGM.
New Ordinary Vestry Members Required
The Vestry are looking for a few new Ordinary Members as some existing members complete their period of service and because we’ve been running a little low on members for some time now. If you would like to know what’s involved or are keen to be nominated, please speak to the Vestry Secretary, David Rose. Nomination forms for Vestry membership and other Vestry offices are available at the back of church. Or please speak to David Rose if you would like an electronic copy.
Next Vestry Meeting
The next meeting of the Vestry is scheduled for Tuesday 7th January at 7:30pm. Please let the Vestry Secretary or Wardens know if you would like to bring anything to the attention of the Vestry.
Services and events commencing this Sunday and for the coming week
Sunday 5th January 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Ferdinand von Prondzynski
Sunday 5th January 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Ferdinand von Prondzynski
Wednesday 8th January 10am Holy Communion: Revd Kate Gibson
Friday 10th January 6pm Compline: Iain Stewart
Sunday 12th January No 8am Service
Sunday 12th January 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Kate Gibson
Next Sunday’s readings: Isaiah 43: 1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8: 14-17
Gospel: Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22
“All the great works of art, the cathedrals – the Gothic cathedrals and the splendid Baroque churches – are a luminous sign of God, and thus are truly a manifestation, an epiphany of God.”
(Benedict XVI)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd Roger Dyer on 07719 458571 or revrogdyer@btinternet.com