Trust an unknown future to a known God
Our 2024 Memory Verse
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-8, NIV
Praying for Peace
St Nicholas’ Church is normally open between 9:30 and 10:00 for prayer for peace in Ukraine and between Israel and Palestine/Gaza/Lebanon on Mondays, weather permitting. If in doubt phone Joy (625545).
However, the church will not be open on Monday November 4th, but it will be open on Mondays November 11th, 18th and 25th etc.
Visit of Heather Johnstone - Sunday 3rd November
Heather, our CMS Mission Partner in Tanzania, is visiting us this weekend. She will share briefly about her work and the Rehema project in the Sunday service and then more fully at the shared lunch afterwards.
There will also be handicrafts made by the Rehema women, for sale.
You are welcome to join the shared lunch, even if you haven't signed up.
Please pray for Heather, for safe travelling and as she shares with us, and that the Lord will bless us through her and challenge us and that we will be a blessing to her.
CMS
The next issue of the magazine is out. In it you'll meet Manasseh, who was drawn into an armed militia in Eastern DR Congo but is now working for peace; about Nicky, who saw how mission partners Anna and Chris followed Jesus in everyday life at a breakfast club in Hull. And you'll discover how a magazine changed the lives of two young men in the Middle East. Enjoy your read!
CMS Thanks
Do read the THANK YOU LETTER from CMS on St Nicholas’ Church mission notice board, thanking us for our church support for their work.
Monday 4th November - Lunch Break at 12.45 in St Barnabas
New folks welcome. Please contact Pauline on 01934 415401.
Will regulars also please contact Pauline if they are unable to come this month.
Please pray for those who attend and those who cook and serve but most importantly, that the Lord will make himself known.
Wednesday 6th November – 3:30 p.m. Messy Church in St Nicholas
Please pray for a good attendance and for the message of Jesus to reach those who are yet to be saved.
Thursday 7th November – 11 a.m. – Madeley’s Meat by zoom
Continuing our study of Revelation.
Monday 11th November – 11 a.m. – Remembrance Day
There will be a service at the War Memorial on the hill at 11 a.m. Nearer the time we should have details of transport for those who need a lift.
Thursday 14th November 7:30 p.m.– Coffee and Cake
The next Coffee and Cake Evening is on Thursday, November 14th from 7.30 pm. Our guest is Barry, the founder and director of Oddments Theatre Company. Barry and his wife will perform some sketches and poetry they've written as well as tell amusing anecdotes about the Theatre Company.
Please invite your friends. It should prove to be a very entertaining evening.
A poster is attached.
Contributing to Loaves and Fishes
At the October Coffee and Cake evening the guest was Sister Teresa from the Loaves and Fishes charity, St Paul's, Bristol. They are an Anglican organisation and rely on donations to provide weekly food parcels and at Christmas gift bags.
For the gift bags, Gail is collecting toiletries; new or very good condition toys; children's books, games etc.; hats, scarfs, gloves etc. for adults and children; chocolates, biscuits and anything else that's special for Christmas.
You can also give Gail any food parcel gifts.
Loaves and Fishes also have a weekly free market stall at the food bank where good condition bedding, blankets and clothing etc. can be taken as needed. Again, please give to Gail.
Sister Teresa's parents live in Weston so it's easy to get these gifts taken there.
Saturday 16th November – Weston Street Pastors Creative Prayer Breakfast
This is taking place at Holy Trinity Church from 9a.m. All are invited – please see the attached poster in order to book.
Thursday 21st November 11 a.m. – Madeley’s Meat by zoom
Continuing our study in Revelation.
Saturday 23rd November 1-4pm – St Nicholas Church Bake-off
Bring a cake or cakes to be judged and then stay for tea and cake. Everyone welcome, and if you just want to come to eat cake that’s fine! Bring your friends.
Saturday 7th December at 7:30pm - WorleWind Band Christmas Concert in St Nicholas’ Church
Tickets £10 available from Caroline.
St Nicholas’ Church Christmas Tree Festival
This year the Festival will be taking place on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th December. Please see the attached poster.
Samaritan's Purse
It's Shoebox Time! National collection week is 11th to 18th November. A new destination for shoeboxes this year is MALAWI! If you fill a box for Malawi, they suggest extra toys as well as the usual stationery items etc. However, shoeboxes still also go to colder countries where scarves, hats and gloves are more than welcome. Frances Land knits scarves and hats, if you want them for a shoebox, and Audrey Howell dresses Barbie type dolls if you want one of those, or two or three!
Ask Jeff and Joy if you want more information or need a leaflet. Thank you.
Check out this link
https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/how-to-pack-a-shoebox
or call 0208 559 2044.
Stuck for a Christmas gift?
How about helping someone in need by giving an alternative gift? Check the mission/charity catalogues on the small table by the coffee table in St Nicholas’ Church or Google for a larger variety of catalogues.
Christmas Appeal
Start saving your £s. Each year the Mission Committee is responsible for organising the church appeal for one of the mission organisations that we support. Most of you will be aware that over the last year the Clarkes in Portugal have started a church plant in the middle of Coimbra where they live and work. As you can imagine they still have a lot of needs and we hope with our appeal that we can address a number of these. Details will follow shortly.
Jeff, on behalf of the committee.
Any Old Buttons?
If anyone has any old buttons please can they be donated to Caroline for a project at Windwhistle School. Thank you.
easyfundraising
If you shop online it is possible to raise funds for St Nicholas with St Barnabas. Thousands of brands are part of the scheme.
Check out this link:
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/st-nicholas-with-st-barnabas-weston-super-mare
The Contactless Card Reader in St Nicholas’ Church
You may have noticed that the contactless card reader has not been at the back of church lately. This is because the screen was completely unresponsive, making it unusable, even though it is less than two years old. I contacted both CollecTin (who make the device) and Parish Buying (through whom it was bought) for a way forward in the matter. I have been trying my best to point out that this is unacceptable, but so far this has been unsuccessful. Parish Buying are currently trying to work out the cheapest solution for a replacement with CollecTin. I will keep you posted. Annabel
St Nicholas Heating
The annual maintenance of the church's heating will be done on 7th November. Jim apologises for only having three working heaters until then.
St Nicholas’ Church insurance claim
The loss adjustor has turned down our claim to make good the damp on the wall behind the refreshments table. Please pray that the loss adjustor will reconsider and give us a favourable decision.
Services
Sunday 3rd November 10 a.m. – Holy Communion in St Nicholas live and by zoom
Joseph In Charge In Egypt
Genesis 41:41-57
Visit of Heather Johnstone, and bring-and-share lunch after the service.
6 p.m. – Prayer Meeting in St Nicholas
Wednesday 6th November 10:30 a.m. Service to be confirmed
Paul Before Agrippa
Acts 25:23-26:8
Sunday 10th November 10 a.m. – Informal Worship in St Nicholas live and by zoom
Second Sunday before Advent
Psalm 16 Mark 13:1-8
Wednesday 13th November 10:30 a.m. – Holy Communion in St Barnabas live and by zoom
Paul Before Agrippa 2
Acts 26:9-18
Sunday 17th November 10 a.m. – Holy Communion in St Nicholas live and by zoom
Joseph’s Brothers Go To Egypt
Genesis 42:1-38
6 p.m. – Prayer Meeting in St Barnabas
Wednesday 20th November 10:30 a.m. – Morning Worship in St Barnabas live and by zoom
Paul Before Agrippa 3
Acts 26:19-32
Sunday 24th November 10:30 a.m. – All Together Worship in St Nicholas live and by zoom
Theme to be confirmed
The next Parish Update will be produced on Friday 22nd November.
Please pray for:
Barbara Brown
Rene Eaton
Malcolm and Edna Hunter
Angela James
Ada Keeley
Paul and Barbara Lewis
The Madeleys - For ongoing protection and wisdom for the four of us.
Stella Middleton
Gwen Purnell
Mac and Pam Reid
Jo Scott
Peter and Val Tullett
Gill and David Willis
Monday 4th November: St Barnabas Working Group (consisting of Angela, Duncan, Frances, Gail and Jim) are meeting at St Barnabas Church to pray about the part-time lay pioneer minister and the proposed relationship with St Paul’s church.
Tuesday 12th November: Please pray for the meeting in Wells with Archdeacon Charlie between this parish and St Paul’s that will lead to the creation of a formal partnership for the future mission and ministry on the Coronation and Oldmixon estates.
Saturday 16th November: Please pray for Diocesan Synod. It will be approving the Diocesan budget for 2025 having already agreed to implement a new way of calculating Parish Share. Please pray for wisdom for our Bishop and all involved.
Heather Johnstone - Pray for a blessed weekend for all of us when she visits us from November 2nd to 4th. Pray for a good time of fellowship and an interesting and challenging talk at the shared lunch on Sunday and Lunch Club on the Monday.
The Clarkes
“V” in the Republic of China Taiwan
Please continue to pray for Alison Giblett, Anya and Pastor Valery, CMS mission partners, in Kiev. Pastor Valery is a military chaplain working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence to provide spiritual and emotional support and practical aid for soldiers. Pray for Valery and all military chaplains in Ukraine, for God to give them wisdom to know how to minister to each person they meet.
Contact Details
Mark’s contact details are mark@mibtravel.co.uk and 01934 620156.
Our Church Wardens
Jim: 01934 644623 or loringjim@outlook.com
Lynn: 01934 813763 or lynnmarypack@gmail.com
The Pastoral Team
Pauline Farley 415401
Angela James 07792 133403
Barbara Lewis 07773 087439 (mobile preferred to landline 633655)
Joy Realff 625545
Parish Office
When Duncan is in the Parish Office it is usually at the following times:
Mondays and Wednesdays 09:00am - 2:00pm, Fridays 2:00 – 4:00pm.
If you need to contact him please telephone (01934 641863) or use email - stnickswithstbs@gmail.com This is a new email address.
Instagram and Facebook
Our churches have an Instagram account, which Rachel set up. The address is st.nicholas.with.st.barnabas (no capitals)
Our Facebook page can be accessed through this link: https://www.facebook.com/StNicksandStBs/