Church Bulletin
Yesterday, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month was Remembrance Day. As you know, at the eleventh hour on that day, it is the custom that we should stop what we are doing and just pause for one minute or two to remember those who have sacrificed their lives on our behalf in two world wars and the conflicts since then.
In accordance with that custom, the BBC did a live recording of part of the Memorial Ceremony taking place at the Cenotaph. During the two-minute silence, we were given a whirlwind tour of the UK showing others standing silently and respectfully honouring those who have died in war: the National Memorial Arboretum, Glasgow, Cardiff, footballers at St. Georges Park, military personnel at Chippenham, royalty at Westminster Abbey and other places. One of the clips appeared to be a busy city centre with people going about their daily business. Perhaps the film maker had expected everyone to stop at 11.00 am. If so he or she must have been disappointed. A few had stopped and were standing in silence, but many just carried on rushing from point A to point B. I wonder how many of us stopped and stood in silence at that time.
To be honest, I am not sure how many people now regard Remembrance Day with respect and observe that 2-minute silence. I am a 1950s baby and, as I grew up, World War II was very recent history. My parents’ generation had been involved. My grandparents’ generation also remembered World War 1 – the Great War that was to end all wars but obviously didn’t. Strangely, it was a good time to grow up. I was too young to recognise the austerity. I was only aware that we had won the war, that there was an air of optimism about and that I was safe with my family in a warm home with good food allowed to play happily and freely with my friends. The fear of the atom bomb was to come a little later.
Today, so many years on, I am very, very grateful to those extraordinary men and women who fought so bravely and at great personal sacrifice to save us our freedom. Can you imagine how different life would have been had Hitler conquered Europe?
This Sunday, our church and churches everywhere will be holding Remembrance Services – another opportunity to stand in silence and recall with thanksgiving those who gave so much for our sakes.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
It is also a time to remember those who are alive and have fought bravely on our behalf; for those who have been maimed physically or mentally, and for those who continue to guard our borders and keep us safe – to remember all service personnel and those who lead them.
Lesley Lee – Reader
Revd Jo Joyce – Licensing service
We have now confirmed that the Bishop of Warwick will conduct the licensing service for Jo as our new Vicar on Wednesday 17th November at 19:30pm, in church. The service congregation will include Jo’s family and friends, members of clergy from Coventry and Nuneaton Deanery as well as members of the congregations of St Pauls, St Andrews and St Andy’s. We have limited capacity due to the ongoing Covid restrictions, therefore, attendance I’m afraid will be by invitation only. Invitations have been issued, but it is likely that some additional places will be available for St Andrews and St Andy’s congregation. If you would like to attend, please can you let Julie know on 07756 918847 or administrator@standrews-eg.org.uk and we will fill any availability from this list and will issue invitations to you. We are hoping to be able to stream the service as well.
Nick Tooby – Churchwarden
Gift Day
Can I thank all who supported the Gift Weekend this year, especially those who helped arrange the “Weddings through the Ages” event on the Saturday. The weekend raised £2,200 for church funds. This plus the money raised on the sponsored walk has seen the Budget shortfall reduce to -£4k. We still have some way to go to break even this year, but this is great progress.
Thank you everyone.
Nick Tooby – Churchwarden
Wednesday Service
Our Wednesday Service has now resumed and commences weekly at 10am. Everyone welcome. Please note that there will be no service on 24th November due to the installation of the livestreaming equipment.
Book Club
The next Book Club meeting is on Thursday 6th January 2022 at 7.30pm. The book we will be reading and discussing is Doing Time with God by Bill Dyer. The summary of the book says:
‘The writer was robbed and shot at an ATM and was locked up in anger, hatred, and resentment. Then a miracle happened. God led Bill out of darkness and into prison for unfinished business. Like other Christian testimony books, true story impact and meaning will touch you in such a way that you will experience these things happening in yourself.’
We will meet on 6th to share our views on the book and to discuss some of the questions it raises for us. The group is open to all; if you have never been part of a book club this might be the time to give it a try. If you are interested in being part of the group, or have any questions please contact Sue Masters (07958322026).
Flower Rota
We would like to return to the tradition of placing flowers on our altar table each week. As from Sunday, 26th September, there will be a Rota available on the Notice Board at the rear of the Church for the period October-December, 2021. If you would like to reserve a week in which to remember a loved one by having flowers in Church, please would you sign up for the appropriate Sunday.
The procedure has changed, and we will not be collecting money from you. Instead, we are returning to the original system: You are asked to provide your own flowers and bring them to Church on the Thursday before the relevant Sunday. Please arrange them in the brass vases and stand them on the altar table. (Water is available in the kitchen and scissors are in the kitchen drawer.) Any flowers from the previous week with remaining life can be transferred to the stoneware jug which stands at the back of church or other appropriate vases. Dead flowers/cuttings and any rubbish should be taken to the appropriate bins outside church.
A special thank you to Ann and Frank Dove, for their amazing commitment and hard work in maintaining our flowers inside church over so many years.
If you have any queries, please speak to Lesley Lee.
Building Our Faith
Our Wednesday evening bible study and fellowship takes place on Wednesdays at 7.30pm on Zoom. We will be looking at Old Testament characters over the next few weeks and everyone is welcome to join us.
The zoom joining details are available from Sue Masters, Tel: 07958 322026, Email: susanmasters@sky.com
If you have not joined us before you are very welcome. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Mission Partners
Please find enclosed the latest update from our Mission Partners, Dan and Phillipa Munday.
Foodbank Donations
To donate to Central foodbank, Sue Barnes is coordinating this so please contact her to drop off food at her house. Contact Sue at susanbarnes1960@outlook.com
If you are unable to give food you can also donate online here: https://www.trusselltrust.org/rddonate-checkout/
Do send Julie your favourite bible verses or hymn verses, names for prayer and any birthdays, celebrations or articles for inclusion in the bulletin. Julie can be contacted on 07756 918847 or administrator@standrews-eg.org.uk
Church Contacts
Churchwardens: Nick Tooby – 07951 925772 and Becky Crowe – 07875 552518
Parish Administrator: Julie Crow – 07756 918847
Parish Safeguarding Officer and Children’s Advocate: Linda Chylinski – 024 7646 8535
14th November 2021 – Second Sunday before Advent
Readings
Hebrews 10.11-14 & Mark 13.1-8
Reader
Angela Lamb
Preside
Lynnette Clarke
Preach
Lesley Lee
Intercessions
Lynnette Clarke
Next week
Revelation 1.4b-8 & John 18.33-37
Diary Dates November | ||
| Sun 14th | 10am | Remembrance Sunday Service |
| Tues 16th | 6.00pm | Drama Group at St Oswald’s Church |
| Weds 17th | 10.00am | Wednesday Service of either communion or morning prayer |
| 7.30pm | Licensing Service for our new vicar, Jo Joyce | |
| Sun 21st | 10am | Sunday Communion Service |
| 6.00pm | Rock Solid | |
| Tues 23rd | 6.00pm | Drama Group at St Oswald’s Church |
| Weds 24th – Fri 26th | All day | Church closed for installation of livestreaming equipment |