Dear All

I hope you are doing well.

Last week I reflected on this season of remembrance and this week as the Church of England leadership responds to the much publicised Makin report on the actions of John Smyth QC, I am struck by our need to remember prayerfully all the broken ones, people who are personally affected from the physical, spiritual and emotional abuse of others towards them, including those in our parish.

Over the years I have had pastoral contact with many people who are survivors of such abuse and know that it can have a devastating effect on adult lives. But I have also seen the redeeming and healing love of Christ among them and that to me is part of the wake up call to the Church of England this week- to ensure that in the local church we are people who enable healing and wholeness and engender genuine trust in relationships, with safety and compassionate love, in the pattern of Jesus Christ our Lord.

This Sunday is designated as Safeguarding Sunday, to highlight the importance of respect and listening to any who may be living with a history or current experience of such abuse, to prevent collusion with those who are harming others and reminding the local church about safe and compassionate pastoral care, together with our trained voluntary Parish Safeguarding Representatives, who for us is Miriam Gaston, and supported by the professional diocesan Safeguarding Team. Please pray for Miriam, the diocesan Team and all in positions of trust and leadership across society today.

Loving God,

we pray that this church may be a place of welcome, security and compassion.

Keep us watchful yet caring,

trusting yet ready to question,

that all who worship here may do so

in safety and in the knowledge of your love;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

SUNDAY’S BIBLE READINGS 

Daniel 12: 1-3

Hebrews 10: 11-25

Mark 13: 1-8  (Gospel)

THIS WEEK

Sunday 17th Nov   Safeguarding Sunday/ 2nd before Advent 

8am Holy Communion (traditional language)

10am All Age Service – with a short presentation from Miriam Gaston, our Parish Safeguarding Representative

Weds 20th 

9am Morning Prayer

Fri 22nd 

8.30am Coffee for school parents

9am School worship

10am Coffee Morning at Marnhull Methodist (Tea with Friends) in aid of Women’s refuge and Methodist Church

NEXT WEEK

Sunday 24th   Christ the King/ Last before Advent 

Weds 27th 

2-4pm Advent Group 1/4 weekly at the Rectory, New Street- with refreshments. 

Please sign up if you are interested and also if you would like a copy of the Advent book we are studying or for personal use: Paula Gooder: The Meaning is in the Waiting. Cost £9/book

Sat 30th

9-11am Churchyard/church working party. Coffee and bacon rolls provided. Last of the year!

11am-1pm Books etc Sale and coffee in aid of church funds. Donations welcome- please leave in church! Help appreciated- please speak to Revd Gaenor.

Sun 1st December  Advent Sunday

4pm Churches Together Advent Service- followed by refreshments.

Weds 4th 

7pm PCC at Judith’s home

Sat 7th

7.30pm Marnhull Community Choir Music of Bacharach concert. Tickets available through RH Stores and Spar.

Weds 18th 

2pm and 6pm School Nativity play

Fri 20th 

9am School Christmas Service 

Our Christmas services:

Sat 21st 

4pm Blue Christmas- more reflective celebration and remembering those we love but see no longer

Sun 22nd/ Advent 4 

6pm Village Carol Service including Marnhull Community Choir

Tues 24th Christmas Eve

4pm Crib Service- interactive family service

11pm Midnight Holy Communion

Weds 25th Christmas Day

8am Holy Communion

10am Family Christmas Holy Communion

OTHER NEWS

• This is the formal statement from Bishop Stephen in response to the Makin report this week https://www.salisbury.anglican.org/from-the-bishop-of-salisbury.php
  

• The funeral of Ben James will be at St Peter’s Hinton on Friday 22nd Nov at 2pm.
• Can you help with welcoming people for any of the Christmas services? Please speak to Barrie.
• If you can offer a lift to church for someone over the winter please speak to Barrie who is coordinating this.
• Christmas Bags:  We are collecting small new items: confectionary; toiletries; family festive treats,  etc- so if you can donate please leave in the box provided in church. Thank you!

PRAYERS

• Please pray for the leadership of the Church of England and Anglican Communion- for wisdom, grace and faith to prevail
• Pray for those who are painfully reminded this week of past hurt and abuse- for healing and wholeness
• Please pray for the James’ family in their grief- for peace and hope
• Please pray for all in or from our parish who are currently ill in body, mind or spirit- for healing and wholeness

CONTACT US

Rector

Revd Gaenor Hockey    01258 821605

[email protected] 

Part time: Sunday, Wednesday and Friday 

Assistant Curate

Revd Angus Mayhew 07788100885

[email protected]

Shared curacy: Marnhull and Gillingham Team  

Full time. Rest day: Monday

Licensed Lay Minister

Judith Male 07852780517

[email protected]

Churchwarden

Barrie Jenks 01258 821604

[email protected]

Please contact one of us, or use our prayer tree, if you would like a visit or there is someone you would like us to pray for at Morning Prayer.

Church is open daily:  9am – 4.30pm

ONLINE

Parish: www.stgregorysmarnhull.org.uk

Facebook: stgregschurch; stgregs allagepage; music at st greg’s

Diocese:  www.salisbury.anglican.org