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From Jerry – leader of Newmarket and District Youth for Christ:Hi Folks, I hope that your plans for Christmas are under way?
I am excited at all that is beginning to open up with schools and the real possibility of some ‘live’ online lessons while schools are not having visitors, while this is a steep learning curve for us it is exciting also appropriate that it looks like the Yr Christmas lesson will be our first set! Please pray that we get
to grips with ‘Google Classroom’ as it will be on this platform rather ZOOM which we are more used to. Please also pray as we begin to talk with schools about our booked GSUS Live visit in the second part of the Spring term 2021. We will then start approaching the schools to hopefully secure bookings we
will have the capacity to visit 5 schools. Thank You for your continued support! Jerry & Co
Gifts to Water Aid.Thank you for your Harvest Gifts to Water Aid –£331 has been sent from this church.Thank you for saving and changing lives.
Church Christmas card boardThe board at the back of church will be available for you to bring your cards
to send greetings to the congregation.The PCC will designate a charity and please place any donations in the
envelope provided. Thank you.
St HOSPICE LIGHT UP LIFE SERVICE 14th DECEMBER 2020 ONLINE
This year it is not possible for the team from St Nicholas Hospice, Bury St Edmunds to visit churches for their annual “Light Up A Life “ Christmas Services in remembrance of loved ones that have died from Cancer over recent years. However, in order that we may continue to celebrate their lives, an on-line service will go live on the 14th December through the St Nicholas Hospice Care website. If you would like to have your loved one remembered and named at this service, please go directly to their website where you will be invited to give the name, date of birth, date of death, upload a photograph and a message, and have that person recorded in a memory book. The cut off date for submitting names is 7th December. When this service goes live there will be an address by the Right Reverend Mike Harrison, Bishop of Dunwich.
Prayers for Advent and beyond:Lord Jesus we come before you to pray-
For all who are torn apart by war and violence,For all who are suffering through poverty disease or disaster
For all who are homeless, hungry, thirsty or persecutedWe pray for peace, help and provision
O come, O come Emmanuel
For all who work for peace, justice and the relief of miseryFor all who lead nations, for our Queen, government and councils
For your worldwide church and the witness it needs to giveWe pray for your enabling, wisdom and strength
O come, O come Emmanuel
For all who work to overcome the coronavirus pandemic- in hospitals, laboratories, essential services and volunteers.
For those who are self-isolating, struggling or worn- downFor all who are suffering- physically, mentally, spiritually, financially.
We pray for protection, grace and hopeO come, O come Emmanuel
For schools, pupils and teaching staff For care homes, staff and residents, for careworkers,
For all who are vulnerable and at risk.We pray for safety and encouragement
O come, O come Emmanuel
For those in this community who are lonely, afraid or in despairFor all who are troubled, or heavy –burdenedFor all who are unwell and for all who grieve
We pray for your uplifting, healing and comfortO come, O come Emmanuel
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Lord, our Redeemer, Our Saviour, our Emmanuel.
Amen.
"Rejoice! Rejoice in this Advent seasonAs we prepare in our hearts a place for Jesus’ rebirth.
He is the Light, the Truth and the Hope beyond all reason,So let us reach out from our hearts to tell all the earth."
~ Fr. Brian Cavanaugh, TOR
Keep us, O Lord, while we tarry on this earth, in a serious seeking after you, and in an
affectionate walking with you, every day of our lives;
that when you come, we may be found not hiding our talent, nor serving the flesh, nor yet asleep with our lamp unfurnished, but waiting and longing for our Lord, our glorious God for ever.
Amen.
SSF Office Richard Baxter (1691)
A one word Advent prayerDear Heavenly Father, this is my one word prayer: PEACE.
I can’t see ahead. I don’t know what to do.Here are all my fears and my questions… [share yours]
I want to experience your perfect peace.Let it be with me. Just as you say.
Hold me, God, so I can hear you whisper to me, "You don't have to know the way. I do."
In Jesus' name, Amen
~ Bonnie Gray, from “Praying for Perfect Peace When We Can't See How
An Advent Prayer for CourageDear Heavenly Father, help me to hear your voice.
Touch me once again.Give me the courage to be your beloved.
Give me courage to choose joy.I need you now this Christmas.
Be born in me again. Today.In Jesus' name, Amen.
~Bonnie Gray, from “Why it Takes Courage to Choose Joy”
St.Mary’s Church Mildenhall
December 2020Noticesheet
And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger……
From Luke Chapter 2, verse 7 (NIV)
Services for DecemberDecember 6 th 11am Holy Communion and
4pm Advent Fun and faith- an informal interactive service for all-ages
Dec. 13 th 11am Holy Communion
Dec.20 th 9.30am HC a Said service of Book of Common Prayer and 11am Memorial and Thanksgiving service -to remember with thanks the lives
of family and friends who have died- all welcome.
Dec. 22 nd 4pm carols by Candlelight- traditional readings and a variety of carols – led by St.Mary’s singers
Dec.24 th Christmas Eve 4pm Christingle (please make a Christingle of any style at home – suggestions for Christingle making will be on facebook- and bring
to church along with a torch) and Christmas Eve 11.30pm Midnight Holy Communion
Dec. 25th Christmas Day 10.30am Communion with carolsDec. 27 th 11am Carol Praise
Jan.3 rd 11am Epiphany Holy Communion and 4pm Epiphany (3 Kings) Fun and Faith- an informal interactive service for all
ages. Everyone welcome.
Every Sunday from 11am a pre-recorded service is available onSt.Mary’s Church Mildenhall facebook page. Or you can listen to the same
service on Zack FM community radio at 7am (FM 105.3) on Sundays. These usually follow the readings and theme of the 11am Sunday service.
The church is open for individual prayer and time for prayer together: Tuesdays 10-11am with prayer service 10.45-11am
Wednesdays 4-5pm with Compline and Bible reflection 4-4.30pmThursdays 7-8pm with Compline 7.45-8pm (except Christmas Eve)
Fridays 10-11am with prayer service 10.45-11am (except Christmas Day) All weather permitting.
Needing a listening ear, or someone to talk or pray with?If you would like to contact one of the Prayercare team, please phone (all 01638 numbers): Sue Leathley 711930, Ann Leeks 718902,
June Flogdell 715073, or Jill Nunn 714775.
Dog Blog from BuddyWoof, woof and Happy Christmas to you all. I am getting very excited at the thought of lots of presents and parcels. It’s not just the thought of bones and chews and goodies to enjoy. I am hoping for boxes. Boxes to throw up in the air, to empty and to wrestle and scabble in. I love cardboard. Cardboard to tear, cardboard to chew, cardboard to scatter all over the carpet. Cardboard to woof at and play with- the thing which most people ignore and throw away (or better still recycle) is the very best thing of all to me.
Mum said this made her think about the Christmas story. God’s love sent to us in Jesus. She says Christmas has been filled with all sorts of customs from special food to decorations, trees and presents- but it is God’s gift to us who is most important. In all our celebrating we mustn’t overlook the packaging- God’s love sent to us bundled into a tiny baby. The vulnerable dependency of a child, the humble, simple surroundings of his birth into the world- a reminder of Jesus’ coming to serve.
Mum says let’s take time to look again quietly and ponder about the circumstances of Jesus’ coming to us and see how they point to the extra- ordinariness of the gift of God’s love, to be unwrapped gently, carefully and to treasure.
As for me I’m not very good at gentle or careful- watch out boxes, here I come…
Yours, Buddy one of the vicarage dogs.
Contact details:Rev.Sue Leathley, 8, Church Walk, Mildenhall IP28 7ED,
01638 711930 [email protected]
Jane McKenzie, (Administrator) [email protected](the office in the Cottage rooms is presently closed on Fridays)
Rev. David Everett (retired minister) 01638 718801 [email protected]
Church wardens: Andrew Borrett 01638 713538,
David Revera 01638 711930
Community LarderThank you for the generous gifts of food.
The larder is open during the times when the church is open for individual pray-
Tuesdays 10-10.30am, Wednesdays 4.30-5pm,Thursdays 7-7.30pm and Fridays 10-10.30pm.Other times can be arranged by phoning Sue.
Drive in Carol service3pm Saturday December 12th
Rowley Mile carpark Newmarket.Free entry- donation to charities opportunity
Booking via Eventbrite
A star in your window.Please place a star in your window and
together we can make a star trail for families to spot and count.
Stars remind us of the nativity and of God’s light shining on our way.
The stars could be ones you have bought or made yourself. Let’s make our windows twinkle this Advent and Christmas
time and brighten the community.
An invitation to “Fun and faith for all” Advent Sunday December 6 th 4.00-4.45pm Activities and things to do within a short service. For all ages. Socially distanced and following corona virus prevention guidelines.
All welcome- please invite others too. We may miss being able to sing this Christmas time, but we can hum, or
listen, think on the words and make them your own as we worship. Please remember, a mask needs to be worn in church, social distancing
maintained and hands sanitized to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.Thank you for bringing your Holy Communion service sheets with you.
As much as it would be wonderful to socialise as yet this is not allowed, so please remember to keep to social distancing as we leave the church.
Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, (a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell, or a new rash) should not attend church due to the risk that they pose to others.
Children are encouraged to come- but please bring your own toys/books etc. Activity Bible packs are available each week at 11am for children to do in
the seats during the service.
Please contact Sue if you would like to arrange a private protected time to come to church.
Churches Together in Mildenhall Saturday December 5th Prayer together 9am -9.45am at the Methodist
Church.All welcome- a time to pray for this community and other needs…….
A note from SueAs I write this, I am still awaiting details following the news that the lockdown will be lifted and churches can reopen for services.While some plans are in place, until we hear for sure the plans will eb on hold. Sometime hopefully it will be all systems go…
Let’s be glad that whatever tier we may be in, whether we need to keep at home, or meet in church behind facemasks and spaced out, the message of Christmas will be the same. – We celebrate and give thanks that Christ came into the world to bring light and hope- and that doesn’t change even in the midst of a pandemic. Let’s pray and invite others to come and celebrate too.
May each of us know and be sure of Christ’s presence with us- each day, every day. We rejoice at His birth because He makes a difference to all our days and our eternity.
May God bless you with His peace and His hope. Happy Christmas to you, Sue
Doorstep Carols - Sing along with Radio Suffolk Wednesday 16 December 6.00-7.00pm Tune in to Radio Suffolk at Ipswich - 103.9 FM | West Suffolk - 104.6 FM. This is also on DAB and also on BBC Sounds. Please pray and think about becoming a street organiser. All you need to do is 1. Ask some neighbours if they would like to sing along with you 2. Give them a copy of the carol words which you can download from www.light-wave.org/doorstep-carols - or they will be on stmarysmildenhall facebook page- or ask and we will print you some to give away. 3. Go and sing on your doorstep along with your neighbours on theirs on 16th Dec at 6pm If you want to you can play music yourselves, raise money for charity, shake sleigh bells or add other Christmassy details - dress like Rudolf or have Father Christmas walk past (socially distanced from all). Have lots of fun. We'd love to see what you are doing – you can register on the webpage above and post your ideas and preparations on the Doorstep Carols Suffolk facebook page. Easy links to give to the Suffolk charities above through Just Giving are on the national doorstep Carols Website at www.doorstepcarols.co.uk
Radio Suffolk Carols on the doorstep Programme There are 16 songs to sing on the carol sheet. Radio Suffolk plan to use all 16 in order. They are thinking of 3 bursts of singing, around 13-14 minutes each. In the breaks, people can make themselves a hot chocolate, wave to neighbours etc. You could arrange for something particular to your street in these gaps if you like. In the gaps the radio will be playing ‘performance’ pieces from local artists including a brass band carol medley and a specially written song for doorstep carols. They will phone to a few different streets to say hi.
Also see facebook 'Doorstep Carols Suffolk' for stories about Christmas in your community or you can share them via an email on the webpage above. Let’s get singing!
Comfort and Joy resourcesComfort and Joy - Sign up on the Church of England web-site for free Advent and Christmas email reflections:
Comfortand Joy
Weekly Advent reflections from 29 November - 20 December. Daily Christmas reflections from 25 December - 2 January.News from the latest PCC Meeting of November 2 nd from Audrey Jamieson (PCC secretary)
New Member Carole Sinclair was warmly welcomed. A vacancy remains.Church Security A volunteer needed to monitor pictures if/when a CCTV camera is installed, not necessarily a church member.New Administrator Sarah Enriquez to begin soon Church Opening - Services via zoom during lockdown. Virtual Tours of the church in planning stages.
800 celebrations The Angel of St. Mary’s has been carved and should have ‘flown in!’Christmas Hopefully, ‘our’ nativity trees can be in place December 4th - 5th. No Tree Festival, as we know already. Publicity via ‘Mildenhall Messenger’ and Facebook. It is suggested that we all hang a star in our window.
Finance Parish Share £25,000 confirmed as paid on October statement. David Everett has offered treasuring help.Foot of Tower Area - Exploratory financial implications made.
Quinquennial inspection- The Architect spent all day here on 5/11. The Architect would be asked about the foot of tower, also cracks in tower and possible incursions of tree roots.
The Forest Team for the deanery came into legal being on 1/11. Deanery Synod had been told that ultimately the Team Rector would live at Beck Row. Sue is the Team Vicar for Mildenhall, Rosemary Rycraft and Sandy Barton have now retired. David Butcher would be priest at Beck Row. Brandon’s Rev’d Sharon is now a Canon. The appointment of a Team Consultant is awaited. There will be 17 churches in the team, the Rural Dean opines that we must see how things will work.
St. Mary’s School Our representative, Jeanette, reported that concern is felt for the effects of the coronavirus situation on some children, both socially and psychologically.The Community Larder will soon be up and running during church opening slots. Items had also been supplied by Suffolk County Council.Link Groups A relaunch of Buddy partners, ‘phone friends’ thought to be useful.
Singing Group – the first practice had gone well.
Next Meeting on December 7th if the current situation at the time permits.
Opportunities available- Please let Sue know if you can volunteer:
Calling for Singers.We are allowed now to have (socially distanced) singers during a service.If you would like to be part of this – please see Sue- as we would like to
arrange weekly practices, ready for Carols by Candlelight.
Also, helpers on the sound-desk are needed-to manage music and microphones for
funerals and weddings (you will receive payment.) Full training will be given.
CCTV monitorsPeople who could take turns is keeping an eye on what may be happening in church from the comfort of your home via an app on your phone. This would
enable us to open the church more and have CCTV as a deterrent and as a watchful eye.
The Last Things – Tuesday evening advent series with Bishop MikeTuesdays 7.30 – 9.00pm By Zoom
This four-part Advent series will take place over Zoom and will look at themes of death, judgement, heaven and hell. Advent has traditionally been a season
associated with awaiting Jesus Christ's coming again "in glory to judge the living and the dead".
While the traditional scripture readings have preserved this emphasis and with it a focus on the 'last things' - death, judgement, heaven and hell - there
has in recent times been little reflection on such themes, with the ever increasing stress on Christmas and preparations for Christmas tending to
overshadow Advent. These sessions are an opportunity to look again at these major themes and so better appreciate the riches, promise and hope that lie
at the heart of Christian faith.
Ideal for individuals or Advent study groups. Free of charge, but please register for each session on Eventbrite:
Tuesday 1 December - Death
Tuesday 8 December - Hell Tuesday 15 December - Judgement
Tuesday 22 December - Heaven
Thank you for all your ongoing gifts to St.Mary’s church.All cashless giving has been a wonderful help, thank you. It saves time,
paperwork and needing to count and bank.
Please contact PCC treasurer Jean Bates (01638 562965) or e-mail [email protected] to ask about the Parish Giving scheme, or for the
church bank details to make a direct debit or standing order.The Sum-up card machine is available, it just requires finding a good signal.
Cheques can be banked more easily than cash. If you need to use cash, please place it in an envelope and then in the bag as you enter for a church service.
Thank you
Children's Society boxesA big thank you from the Children’s Society and theyoung people you’ve helped- transforming the hopes and happiness of those facing abuse, exploitation and neglect. This year the Children's Society advise us not to collect the boxes in. Instead, if you would like to count up your own box you could send the money to The Children's Society by an online donation. They can then use your gift straight away.Or, you could bring an envelope marked Children's Society to church- and place it in the Children's Society bucket during December. Enclosing a cheque (made out the Children's Society) or notes/bigger value coins (rather than small change please).We will send the money in the bucket to The Children's Society after the (B.Y.O.) Christingle service on Dec.24th.
Restoring hope for children who need it most.
Bible Quiz- why not test your knowledge?The first letter of the answers spell out a topical word.
1. The last word of the Bible2. Someone handy with a sling and a harp (O.T.)
3. Jesus said, “I am the …….. and you are the branches”4. One of the names given to Jesus (which is also spelt with an I)5. Someone cured of leprosy after bathing in the river Jordan (O.T.)6. Jesus said, “I am the way, the …………. and the life”
