(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
A vibrant inclusive worshipping community
Sunday 7th November 2021
Third Sunday before Advent
Collect
Heavenly Lord,
you long for the world’s salvation:
stir us from apathy,
restrain us from excess
and revive in us new hope
that all creation will one day be healed
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Readings
Jonah 3.1-5,10
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, ‘Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.’ So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, ‘Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’ And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Psalm 62.5-12
Refrain: Wait on God alone in stillness, O my soul.
5 Wait on God alone in stillness, O my soul;
for in him is my hope.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.
Wait on God alone in stillness, O my soul.
7 In God is my strength and my glory;
God is my strong rock; in him is my refuge.
8 Put your trust in him always, my people;
pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.
9 The peoples are but a breath,
the whole human race a deceit;
on the scales they are altogether lighter than air.
10 Put no trust in oppression; in robbery take no empty pride;
though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.
11 God spoke once, and twice have I heard the same,
that power belongs to God.
12 Steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord,
for you repay everyone according to their deeds.
Wait on God alone in stillness, O my soul.
Hebrews 9.24-28
For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgement, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (Mark 1.14-20) Glory to you, O Lord.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ
Post Communion:
Gracious Lord,
in this holy sacrament
you give substance to our hope:
bring us at the last
to that fullness of life for which we long;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen
Prayers
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Olive Niccolls, Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Ivy Buckley, Stephen Gardner, Ann Gilbride, Thea Harris-Ellis, Thomas Platt, Janet Ball, Dorothy Eidsforth, Sitar Rose, Heather McFadden, Maddison Crompton, Irene Forrester, Galiba Sijarić
RIP: Dennis Howson, Eric Ball
Parish Cycle of Prayer:
Those who live and work in our parish, in Mill House Mews and St Peter’s Mews; and our Night Shelter co-ordinators, guests and volunteers.
Please pray also for Evie McDonough, Isaac Ferguson and Darcy-Mae Ferguson to be baptised on the 14th November.
And for Joel, Elyse, Fran and Chloe, ahead of their Confirmation on the 21st November
Prayer and Worship this week:
Sunday 7th November – Third Sunday before Advent
8:30 am Holy Communion in the Lady Chapel
10:30 am Parish Eucharist, with Children’s Church (in church, then uploaded to YouTube*)
6 pm Taizé Eucharist (Lady Chapel)
Wednesday
5:30 pm Meditation, followed by
6 pm Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)
Thursday
10:55 am Act of Remembrance (Miss Whalley’s Field)
Friday
9:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Sunday 14th November – Second Sunday before Advent
8:30 am Holy Communion in the Lady Chapel
10:30 am All Together for Remembrance (in church)
12:30 pm Baptism
1:30 pm Baptism
6 pm Taizé Eucharist (Lady Chapel)
*The Christ Church YouTube channel is at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoAvGj4K9085RV8zo0ZS9Q
Taizé Eucharist – today
The next Taizé Eucharist is today from 6pm until 6.45pm, with music, stillness and prayer inspired by the ecumenical Taizé Community in France. As we approach COP26, the service will also include prayers for the climate crisis. Everyone welcome!
Thursday 11th November – Act of Remembrance
There will be a short Act of Remembrance at Miss Whalley’s Field on Derwent Road at 10:55 am. All welcome – bring your wellies!
Zoom Prayer
Tuesday 16th November is the next meeting of Prayer4 – 30 minutes of prayer, at 4pm every fortnight. There’ll be a short Bible reading, some music, some stillness, and space to pray for the people and places on your heart – all from the comfort of your own sofa. Zoom details: https://zoom.us/j/8069459310?pwd=TlV6QUQ5UVdiK0p1M0Q0cE0vRXIvUT09 Meeting ID: 806 945 9310 Password: ChristChch. Dial in: 0208 080 6591 Meeting ID: 806 945 9310 Password: 310771 (Any queries see Rev Carol)
Advent Quiet Day – 27th November
‘Advent Icons – the Image of the invisible God.’ A quiet day of prayer and reflection, watching and waiting for Christ’s Coming. Led by Sr Sue, OCMM Saturday 27th November 10am-3pm at Christ Church, Wyresdale Road, Lancaster, LA1 3EA
Soup lunch provided. Suggested donation £7. For more details, or to book, please see Rev’d Carol.
Children’s Church
Children’s Church continues to meet regularly during the 10:30 Eucharists on Sundays (or in Christ Church: All Together services). We look forward to seeing you and your children/grandchildren there!
Tiddlers Group
The Tiddlers group runs each Friday, All pre-school-age children and their carers (parents/grandparents, etc.) are very welcome to come for activities, a chat, etc., at 10:30 am in the Hall. Please contact Julie Tinnion for more details.
Pray and fast for the climate
Please join in praying for climate justice and climate action ahead of CoP26 in Glasgow in November. A global movement of Christians is praying and fasting on the first Sunday of each month for climate justice. You can find out more at https://prayandfastfortheclimate.org.uk
Christ Church: 70 trees for the Treebilee
The Eco-Group are encouraging each of us to sponsor or plant a tree as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. You can either arrange your own sponsorship, through organisations such as the National Trust or Woodland Trust: for £5 per tree https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/plant-a-tree; or £6 https://www.treesforcities.org/get-involved/donate. Or become a member of the Woodland Trust, which will count as five trees or buy membership as gifts. For those who just want to put their donation in the box next to the tree, add a leaf, and the church will buy a tree from the National Trust for every £5 donated. There will be a display at the back of church to show how many trees have been planted in the name of Christ Church – so if you make your own arrangements, please add your name to it!
The next PCC meeting
… will be on the 10th November. If there are issues or concerns you’d like to raise, or things you’d like to see the Church doing, please let Julie Buckley/Rev Carol know.
Advent Calendars
The Real Advent Calendar will be on sale at church in coming weeks – please sign up on the welcome table if you’d like one (or more!). It contains Fairtrade milk chocolate, and also a story book to help get ready for Christmas. Suggested donation: (£5?) Each.
Do you have a pre-paid funeral plan?
Or do you know someone who does? If you would like your funeral to be taken by a Vicar/parish priest, please check that this is clearly stated in your wishes, whether for a church service, or at the crematorium or graveside. There have recently been issues where a ‘Christian ceremony’ has been misinterpreted by funeral directors. If you have any queries (or if the company tries to charge you extra for this) – please contact Rev’d Carol who is very happy to discuss things further.
Christ Church Crafting:
… will meet next on Tuesday 9th November at 11:30am in the Hall – all welcome! Bring your own craft project, or make a pennant for the community bunting. We will be looking at creating decorations/hangings for one of the Advent Christmas trees on 4th December, so bring ideas too. Future meetings will be on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the same time. Contact Marion Cowan for further details.
Recycling Sunday – today!
Please bring your blister packs, used dental products (brushes, toothpaste tubes, etc) and crisp packets today, ready for recycling.
Boxes of Hope – last chance to contribute!
Christ Church Primary School will once again be supporting the Boxes of Hope Appeal, a charity which visits Romania each year to distribute shoe boxes of gifts to children. If are able to fill a shoe box or send in some items that could be used to fill one in school, we’d be very grateful. An ideal box will contain….
A selection of toys and games such as a ball, car, doll,
skipping rope, yo-yo, dominoes (sturdy toys please
as these children are not used to toys and have little
manual dexterity). Sweets (use by date at least March of next year). Notebook, colouring book, pen, crayons, pencils,rubber, ruler, pencil sharpener. Hat, scarf, mittens or gloves, a pair of socks. Soap and a facecloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush/comb, hair accessories. And a £2 donation in the shoebox andsecure with an elastic band.
Please return them to school by Monday 8th
November. Many thanks in advance for your support.
Icon Workshop at Hyning 22nd-26th Nov. 2021
(Non residential for beginners and beyond)
Cost. £200 for tuition and materials
Refreshments provided but bring a packed lunch. For more details contact Sr. Mary Bernard: hyningbookings@yahoo.co.uk Monastery of Our Lady of Hyning Warton, Lancs. LA5 9SE Tel. 01524 732684
FairTrade Stall – today
The Eco group are hosting a FairTrade stall at the back of Church after the 10.30 service today. This is a chance to get your Christmas presents and cards at a reasonable price and give support to some of the poorest people in the world.
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PLEAS OF THE WEEK
Help Needed!
Could you spare some time to help keep our Hall prepared for our guests? We need someone to keep an eye on the levels of cleaning products, paper towels and other comestibles in the Hall, and to reorder enough to keep supplies topped up. It requires a 10 minute check each fortnight, and a further 15-30 minutes ordering and delivery on a monthly basis. If you’re interested, please see Jacqueline Stamper or Rev’d Carol.
Night Shelter Deputy Coordinator vacancy
There is a vacancy for a Deputy Coordinator for the Night Shelter season – please see the attached advertisement and job description, for someone to help ensure that the Shelter runs safely and smoothly, with a supportive welcome to our guests. Starts 1st January 2022. Please contact Rev’d Carol or Jan Norbury for further details, and to apply with a CV and covering letter. This is a paid post. Deadline for applications: 16th Nov.
Lancaster and Morecambe City of Sanctuary
With Christmas approaching asylum seekers will feel very isolated and being separated from family and friends at this time is especially hard.
Lancaster and Morecambe City of Sanctuary is organising Christmas Hampers as a token of the welcome and care from the generous people of Lancaster. The boxes were very well received last year and brought much joy and gratitude to our community. We will send a list of suggested items and hope to also have a small gift for under £5 for each person (toiletries, stationery, winter clothing). Banana boxes from a local supermarket could be suitable and donors are welcome to decorate their box. The filled boxes will be picked up and delivered to each house in the week before Christmas.
We have men, women and families from Iran, Iraq, Sudan, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Kuwait etc living in 40 houses in and around Lancaster and there are between four and eight asylum seekers in each house. Lancaster and Morecambe City of Sanctuary welcomes your kind support and we look forward to hearing from you.Dorothea Williamson
dorotheawilliamson@hotmail.com
Across the Generations
We are on a recruiting drive to find more participants for our ‘Across the Generations’ project. We will be renewing our funding from Lancashire County Council for a further two years. The project is changing slightly and is now open to anyone in the community who would like to get to know asylum seekers and refugees. Also, there will be more meetings where all project participants and volunteers will be invited such as the recent open air vegetarian bbq at Claver Hill. Mostly meetings are in threes, or triads, at the home of the project participant: an asylum seeker or refugee volunteer, a UK volunteer, and a project participant. The frequency of the meetings is variable but generally fortnightly. Those involved in the project are really enjoying it. Hilary Hopwood, Co-chair, East Meets West M: 07767 626891 FB East Meets West Lancaster. eastmeetswest6@gmail.com
LDHAS Winter Appeal
Lancaster and District Homeless Action Service are making their Annual Winter Appeal. Cheques payable to LDHAS can be sent to Edward Street, Lancaster, LA1 1QH, or bank transfers to LDHAS, 40-52-40, 00031967 (reference ‘Shelter2021’) Thank you.
The Olive Branch Foodbank
… is in particular need of tins – including meat, fish, vegetables and pies., as well as donations of rice (not pasta or baked beans). All other items, including toiletries, are also gratefully received!
Or you can give money for them to buy what is needed: https://www.the-olivebranch.org.uk/donate/
Supporting Christ Church
If you would like to support Christ Church’s work and worship regularly, or you already do – please consider giving by Direct Debit. Christ Church is now taking part in the Parish Giving Scheme, which allows us to offer direct debit as an option. This national Scheme takes a lot of hassle out of claiming gift aid, and ensures that any donation is covered by guarantees. It also allows you to easily review how much you give depending on circumstances. There are no costs or overheads to the parish. For more information, the QR code takes you to our page on the scheme:
Online at www.parishgiving.org.uk
By telephone 0333 002 1271 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. Postal forms available on request. For any of these methods our PGS code 030603240 ensures that your gift goes to our church.
Legacies at Christ Church.
Gifts in Wills are an important part of Christian stewardship, and dedicating a gift is one way to thank God for blessings received. If you’re considering writing a Will and leaving a gift to the church, there is a lilac leaflet available near the offertory box which explains more. The PCC have recently passed a Legacy Policy to ensure that gifts are used well to support Christ Church’s mission and ministry, whilst taking into account a donor’s wishes. If you wish to speak to Rev’d Carol or Jacqueline Stamper in confidence, or for further details, please see www.churchlegacy.org.uk.
Church Repair Fund
Our Church Repair Fund helps keep our buildings in good condition so that they can continue to be used for ministry and outreach in the years to come. There are several big projects on the Porch, East Wall, and Hall, which are in need of urgent work. If you’d like more details about what is going on, please pick up a leaflet – and if you are able to make a donation, there are envelopes available. If you’re able to give of your time and talents to plan or help with some fundraising events – please keep an eye on the notices for more details!
You can also contribute online via the Give a Little website: https://givealittle.co/campaigns/1c7889a9-7ef8-4730-a84a-2d434726c909
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Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. Why do fish swim in schools?
A. Because they can’t walk.
Thought for the week
Be ye fishers of men. You catch them, and he will clean them. Anonymous
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
Fairtrade means standing with farmers and workers for fairness and equality and creating change, from investing in climate friendly farming techniques to developing women in leadership. For shoppers it means high quality, ethically produced products. Buy Fair trade goods today.
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Meeting up
The clergy are available for pastoral support and spiritual direction, please don’t hesitate to be in in contact.
If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time or is seriously ill, please let us know as soon as possible, to arrange prayers, home communion, a hospital visit, or anointing of the sick.
Prayers & our Newsletter
If you, or someone you know would like to receive this newsletter, either electronically or a paper version – do let Jacqueline/Rev Carol know and we will endeavour to keep in contact with people.
We will be praying daily for all who are suffering in the current crisis. If you would like us to pray for you, or for someone you know, for any reason, please email your request to prayer@christchurchlancaster.org.uk or text the Prayer Chain on 07980 351855. Please ask the person’s permission if you’d like them included in the weekly notices.
Key contacts:
Vicar: Revd Carol Backhouse 942105 revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com
1 East Road, Lancaster, LA1 3EE
Lay Reader: Dr Pat Allen 39552 reader@christchurchlancaster.org.uk.
Churchwarden: Ms Jacqueline Stamper 64083 churchwarden@christchurchlancaster.org.uk
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Ms Jane Lippitt 07930 979503 safeguarding@christchurchlancaster.org.uk
Children, Youth & Families Coordinator: Mrs Julie Tinnion 07749 489623 children@christchurchlancaster.org.uk
Nightshelter Co-ordinator: Ms Jan Norbury 07547 717 060 coordinator.nightshelter@gmail.com
Hall Bookings: hallchristchurch@btinternet.com 07890 351855
Christ Church School Ms Emma Simpson 60955
COVID-19 – latest update from Rev’d Carol
Now that regulations on Covid precautions have changed, much advice has been issued by the government, national church and local health authorities, with each Vicar being responsible for plans and arrangements in each church building. After discussion at PCC on Wednesday 21st July, Christ Church asks that everyone continues to:
- Wear a face covering within the building, unless medically exempt
- Keep a safe distance – with some pews remaining closed to help this
- Use the Track and Trace code, or the paper sign-in sheet for each service
- Use hand gel on arriving in the building, and before receiving communion
In addition:
- – At the 1030 service, communion will now be received from the rail; please kneel or stand to receive. Afterwards, please return to your seat via the Lady Chapel – The common cup (chalice) may be shared *if desired*. If you wish to receive, please remain at the rail after receiving the bread. The person administering will wear a face covering, and please *do not* touch the chalice with your hands, and *do not* intinct your wafer (dip it into the wine). The chalice will be wiped with an alcohol sanitiser between use.
- Congregational singing will restart at the Sunday 10:30 Eucharist, with other services remaining said.
- The 10:30 Service will continue to be recorded for those who wish to watch and worship at home.
- Face-to-face gatherings can resume, outdoors where possible and with ventilation/face coverings in situ where not.
As a church community, we are called to act for the benefit of all, and especially the most vulnerable. We wish our church community to be safe, accepting and welcoming for all, regardless of health, or vaccine-status. Although regulations have lifted, I strongly encourage everyone to continue to take precautions and continue the good habits we have got into in recent months.
All of us will feel differently about the lifting of regulations – some ecstatic, some anxious. I’m more than happy to listen and hear your own views on this, and talk through what will help you feel safe and continue to be part of the church in coming weeks. There is a range of quieter and busier services at Christ Church so you may also wish to consider something different to your usual pattern. Please be mindful that some may not be as ready to be as close-up as others, and that is absolutely fine, so please don’t be afraid to say, ‘Please may I have space?’ if you need it, knowing that no questions will be asked.