(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
A vibrant inclusive worshipping community
Sunday 31st October 2021
All Saints/All Souls
Collect
God of holiness,
your glory is proclaimed in every age:
as we rejoice in the faith of your saints,
inspire us to follow their example
with boldness and joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Readings
Isaiah 25.6-9
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations;
he will swallow up death for ever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Psalm 24. 1-6
Refrain: The Lord of hosts: he is the King of glory
1 The earth is the Lord’s and all that fills it, •
the compass of the world and all who dwell therein.
2 For he has founded it upon the seas •
and set it firm upon the rivers of the deep.
The Lord of hosts: he is the King of glory
3 ‘Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord, •
or who can rise up in his holy place?’
4 ‘Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, •
who have not lifted up their soul to an idol,
nor sworn an oath to a lie;
5 ‘They shall receive a blessing from the Lord, •
a just reward from the God of their salvation.’
6 Such is the company of those who seek him, •
of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
The Lord of hosts: he is the King of glory
Revelation 21.1-6a
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
‘See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.’
And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to (John 11.32-44) Glory to you, O Lord.
When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ 35Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’
Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, ‘Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ
Post Communion:
Lord of heaven,
in this eucharist you have brought us near to an innumerable company of angels and to the spirits of the saints made perfect;
as in this food of our earthly pilgrimage we have shared their fellowship, so may we come to share their joy in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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, Eric Ball
RIP: Elly, Hadžira Mehmedović, Pat Brooks, Margaret Lamb, Dennis Howson
Parish Cycle of Prayer:
Those who live and work in Bath Street and St Peter’s Road; for our Churchwarden, sacristy team, and PCC members. For the Night Shelter team as they prepare to open on 1st November.
Please pray for Evie McDonough, to be baptised on 14th November.
Prayer and Worship this week:
Sunday 31st October – All Saints/All Souls
8:30 am Holy Communion in the Lady Chapel
10:30 am Parish Eucharist – All Saints, with Children’s Church (in church, then uploaded to YouTube*)
3 pm Memorial Service
6 pm Eucharist: All Souls (Lady Chapel)
Tuesday
4 pm Prayer4 (on Zoom – see below)
Wednesday
5:30 pm Meditation, followed by
6 pm Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)
Friday
9:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
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)
*The Christ Church YouTube channel is at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoAvGj4K9085RV8zo0ZS9Q
All Saints and All Souls – today!
As part of our commemoration of All Saints and All Souls this year, we have the following services:
- 3pm Memorial Service for those who have died in the last two years, especially inviting the families of those who have had a church funeral recently. A simple service of reflection and comfort, with opportunities to light candles and name loved ones.
- 6pm All Souls Eucharist – praying for the faithful departed. If you would like a loved one remembered at this service, please PRINT their name on the list at the back of church.
Zoom Prayer
Tuesday 2nd 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)
Taizé Eucharist – next Sunday 7th November
The next Taizé Eucharist will be on Sunday 7th November 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!
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!
Baptisms and Confirmations 2021
If you are interested in being baptised and/or confirmed, or know someone who would like to be, please let Rev’d Carol know. There will be a confirmation service with Bishop Jill on Sunday 21st November, with preparation classes beforehand. Confirmation is a public declaration of faith in Christ, and the Bishop represents the whole church in giving the gift of the Holy Spirit. It may (but not necessarily) be a time to begin receiving Holy Communion. Children may be in Year 6 or above.
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. We hope to hold a vigil here sometime in October, ahead of the Glasgow summit. 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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PLEAS OF THE WEEK
Night Shelter Vacancies – Urgent!
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 District Food Poverty Alliance (LDFPA) Networking event taking place from 10am on Monday 1st November.
This event is an opportunity to hear from organisations involved in the Alliance about the work they have been doing towards realising the LDFPA Action Plan, 6 months following the launch. There will also be time for you to network with other food organisations and share your thoughts on what is needed to address food insecurity in the district.
To register for a place at the event, please click on this link: Lancaster District Food Poverty Alliance: Our Journey So Far Tickets, Mon 1 Nov 2021 at 10:00 | Eventbrite
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.
Church Repair Fund
We recently launched our Church Repair Fund to help 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
Recycling Sunday – next Sunday 7th November
Please bring your blister packs, used dental products (brushes, toothpaste tubes, etc) and crisp packets next Sunday, 7th November, ready for recycling.
Christ Church Crafting:
… will meet next on Tuesday 12th November at 11:30am in the Hall – all welcome! Bring your own craft project, ormake 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.
Boxes of Hope
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 and
secure 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
‘Letter to the Earth’ – 5th November
Faith Kenrick (a member of our congregation) will hold a community event at Scotforth Methodist Church on 5thNovember, to create a ‘Letter to the Earth’ – this may be a poem, spoken word, performance, drawing, artwork, or song. For more details, please email faithkenrickart5@gmail.com
FairTrade Stall – next Sunday 7th November
The Eco group are hosting a FairTrade stall at the back of Church after the 10.30 service on Sunday 7th November. 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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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.
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Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. Why are spiders great web-developers?
A. They like finding bugs
Thought for the week
We are not loved because we are so beautiful and good. We are beautiful and good because we are loved. Jürgen Moltmann
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
World leaders are now gathering in Glasgow for the most critical climate conference of our time. Pray that they agree actions that can deliver the main goals of the Paris Agreement, securing a global net zero target by 2050 and keeping global temperature rise below 1.5 °C of warming to limit further climate change.
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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.