Today, the freezing weather could have prevented people coming to Mass but although some stayed at home because of the icy conditions, the majority were there as usual. Father Mervyn presided and Father Martin preached. At the start of Mass the Advent Wreath was blessed and a child from the congregation lit the first purple candle. In his sermon Father Martin mentioned the 400th anniversary of the Authorised Version of the Bible which is being celebrated next year. The initiative for this started at a meeting of the Havering Deanery Synod who sent a resolution to the Chelmsford Diocesan Synod who passed it and sent it on to General Synod who also passed it.
During the Notices at the end of Mass we heard that the total for the Christmas Bazaar had now risen to an outstanding £2,500.
There was a good attendance this evening for our Nine Lessons with Advent Carols in candlelight. The Choir sang The Advent Prose, Adam lay Y’bounden and When came in Flesh. Amongst the readers were three teenagers from our congregation. It was a lovely way to start Advent.
On Thursday 2nd December some of our congregation led by Father Martin will be taking part in the sponsored event “Santa’s on the Run” in aid of Richard House, London’s first hospice for children with life-limited and complex healthcare needs. It starts at Riverside Walk, St Gabriel’s Wharf (Southbank) at 6.00 p.m. when people dressed up as Santa’s will run, jog or walk for 2 km raising money towards the £1.8 million needed this year to ensure the running of the hospice.
On their Website they say this: Richard House is a purpose built children's hospice in east London. Our core purpose is to accompany families with children and young people life-threatening conditions or complex healthcare needs, during the child or young person's journey through life to death, creating positive experiences along the way which become good memories for the future. Our services are wide-ranging, completely free to families and tailored to our multi-cultural community. We need to raise £3.1 million each year to keep Richard House open.
If you are able to sponsor a member of the congregation please contact Father Martin or Father Mervyn.
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