26th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (Harvest)

Today we celebrated Harvest and the church was full, with the Uniformed Organisations coming to join us at the Solemn Mass. Father Martin was the principal celebrant with Father Mervyn concelebrating. During the sermon, aided and abetted by Father Mervyn, Father Martin invited the Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers to come to the Altar steps and he then divided them into two groups. One group went up the chancel step towards the Altar rail with him, whilst the others stayed where they were with Father Mervyn. He then produced a tray of chocolate biscuits and gave one to each child in his group by the Altar rail, with the instructions not to eat them just yet. Father Mervyn encouraged his group standing at the Chancel step to complain that it wasn’t fair they didn’t have a biscuit too. There was much arguing between the two Fathers until, reluctantly, it was agreed that as there was not enough biscuits for everyone to have a whole biscuit of their own, the chosen who had them, should share with those who didn’t. When the second group received their half a biscuit they too were encouraged to share what they had with the rest of the congregation and surprise, surprise, everyone then had part of a chocolate biscuits. The moral is that there is sufficient in our world if only those who have the most share with those who have the least or nothing at all. (Apologies to our Church Cleaners who will have a few (?) crumbs to sweep up.)

Our new Card Shop is now open for the sale of very reasonably priced cards for all occasions including Birthdays, Anniversary’s, Get Well and Sympathy. There is also a small selection of Christmas Cards available; more will be available at the Winter Bazaar.

Our Winter Bazaar is on Saturday 20^th November. If you haven’t yet volunteered to help on the day, please speak to Father Martin as soon as possible. The Bazaar will be set up on Friday 19^th November between 5.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. and from 8.00 a.m. on the day. We open at 10.00 a.m. and close around 1.45 p.m. after the Grand Prize Draw. Tickets for the Draw are now available.

The Clean & Tidy Group meet on Thursday 30^th September working in the Church or grounds, weather permitting.

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This morning Father Martin celebrated and preached whilst Father Mervyn played the organ as our Organist was away. During the sermon Father Martin recalled a favourite saying of his: “Jesus took Tax Collectors and made them disciples. The church takes disciples and makes them Tax Collectors.” During the Communion the Choir sang Cardinal Newman’s Hymn “Praise to the Holiest in the Height” as a way of celebrating the beatifying of Cardinal Newman taking place in Birmingham contemporaneously with our Solemn Mass.

We learnt that a member of our congregation and a friend are to do a sponsored shave of her hair in the near future to raise money for Cancer Research. There will be more details on the Blog in the near future. Tickets for the Harvest Supper are going quickly so if you haven’t yet booked yours yet, please do so as soon as possible.

Father Martin will be standing for election in the forthcoming elections for General Synod; please give him your prayers and support.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

At today’s Parish Mass Father Martin was the principal celebrant with Father Mervyn concelebrating. Father Mervyn preached and led the Intercessions. Our Sunday School reopened today after the summer recess. We had a very good congregation and it was great to see several new faces. Last week’s Saturday Shop raised £245.

The Harvest Supper is on Saturday 2^nd October at 7.00 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. The menu is a choice of either Homemade Onion Soup or Tomato Soup, Shepherd’s Pie served with peas and carrots, and either Apple Pie or Apple Crumble with either ice cream or custard, and tea or coffee. Cost is £5 (bring your own drinks).

The Wednesday Mass this week will be according to the Book of Common Prayer in the Lady Chapel at 7.30 p.m.

Deanery Synod Members are reminded that the Synod meets on Monday 20^th September at St. Edward’s Church, Romford at 7.00 p.m. for 7.30 p.m.

The Parochial Church will meet on Tuesday 21^st September at 7.30 p.m.

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father Martin presided and preached at the Parish Mass today. As our regular organist was away a young man, Samuel, played the organ and was much appreciated by the congregation, stepping in at the last moment. We learnt that, so far this year, the Saturday Shop has raised £5,608.80 and our EBay trading a further £850.

The Last Night of the Proms which had been arranged for Saturday 18^th September has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Members of the PCC are reminded that the next meeting will be on Tuesday 21^st September at 7.30 p.m.

LOVE BADE ME WELCOME

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,

Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack

From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning

If I lack'd anything.

"A guest," I answer'd, "worthy to be here";

Love said, "You shall be he."

"I, the unkind, the ungrateful? ah my dear,

I cannot look on thee."

Love took my hand and smiling did reply,

"Who made the eyes but I?"

"Truth, Lord, but I have marr'd them; let my shame

Go where it doth deserve."

"And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?"

"My dear, then I will serve."

"You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat."

So I did sit and eat.

George Herbert