Our 2023 Memory Verse
‘Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.’
Isaiah 60:1-2, NIV
David Mitchell's funeral will be on Thursday, 5th October at 1 o'clock at St Andrew’s Church, Clevedon, with light refreshments in the Church Hall afterwards. Memories of his ministry are shared in an attachment to this update.
Praying for Ukraine
St Nicholas’ Church will be open for prayer for peace in Ukraine on Mondays from 9.30 to 10.00.
Prayer Chain
Anyone in the church can put a request on the prayer chain. You don't have to be on the list to make a request for yourself or a family member. All requests should be initially through Mark. If it's his day off or he is on holiday, you can send it directly to me, preferably by mail joynjeff@btinternet.com
Jeff (also 01934 625545)
Martin Rowley - LEJOG
Thank you to those who have been supporting and praying for Martin & Gail. Please pray for a relaxing holiday at the end of LEJOG. There is still time to donate if you have not yet done so.
Sunday 17th September: Scarecrow Festival.
We need help between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to serve tea, coffee and cakes. Caroline will be taking Rachel to University so volunteers are really needed or we will be unable to run it. Even if you cannot help serve, please come along anyway as we need Church members who can talk to visitors.
Tuesday 19th September
Next Tuesday is the first anniversary of Tatiana and Lisa staying with Jim and Annabel. Jim and Annabel would like to thank you for your prayers for them and ask that you continue to pray for the situation in Ukraine.
Sunday 24th September
I am delighted to have Kelvin Crombie and Jane Moxon from CMJ with us for the Sunday service. Kelvin is an incredible speaker and writer and will be speaking to us on the subject of “CMJ: 200 years in Israel.” I cannot recommend this highly enough. There will not be any kind of lunch afterwards as Jane and Kelvin need to go to their next destination as Kelvin is speaking again on Sunday evening. That said, they will be there if you have questions. Do pray for them: we are part of a one month long tour. Mark
Help Needed Please
Much work has been done over the summer at the church hall to keep rodents out of the buildings and grounds. Squirrels have been seen in the hall’s roof space and it’s a fact that electrical cables are a gourmet meal for squirrels! We urgently need to install mesh behind the gutters to keep them out of the building this winter. Please let Jim Loring know if you can help in any way over the three days from Monday 25th to Wednesday 27th September. You won’t have to climb a ladder if you don’t want to!
Sunday 1st October: Harvest Festival
We shall celebrate Harvest Festival with an All Together Worship service followed by lunch.
Please let Caroline know if you would like to come to the lunch so she can cater accurately. (carolineconstable@yahoo.co.uk 07867 785473). There is no cost for the meal, but donations will be accepted that will be passed on to Food Bank. As usual, please also bring produce for the Food Bank if you wish.
Friday 6th October at 6:30 p.m. - Church Quiz
Tickets £10 to include fish and chips and are available from Caroline
( 07867 785473 carolineconstable@yahoo.com )
This is an ideal event to bring your friends to.
Israel September 2024
Mark is planning a tour of Israel for September 2024. Please contact Mark if you are interested or have any questions. Do not worry about any wars that Israel may have in the meantime!!!!! The Land is often unstable so all tours are heavily risk assessed nearer the time.
CMJ Booklet – Days of Awe
If you have not picked up a copy of the Days of Awe booklet from CMJ, they are on the table in Church nearest to the door we use. This is an excellent resource with plenty of biblical and prayer input as we think through some key issues, such as Yom Kippur, and how these relate to our own faith. Remember Judaism is the root of Christianity. To understand our own faith fully, you need a background of Judaism.
Services:
Sunday 17th September
Holy Communion 10 a.m. in St Nicholas and by zoom
Concerning Spiritual Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
10:00 a.m. Snickers in the Church Hall
6:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting in St Barnabas
Wednesday 20th September
Holy Communion 10:30 a.m. in St Barnabas Church live and by zoom
Peter’s Vision Acts 10:9-23
Sunday 24th September
Morning Worship 10:00am in St Nicholas’ Church live and by zoom
CMJ visiting speakers – Kelvin McCrombie and Jane Moxon
10:00 a.m. Snickers in the Church Hall
Wednesday 27th September
Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. in St Barnabas Church live and by zoom
Peter at Cornelius’ House Acts 10:24-48
Sunday 1st October
All Together Worship 10:00am in St Nicholas’ Church live and by zoom
Harvest Festival followed by lunch in Church
6:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting in St Nicholas
The next Parish Update will be produced on Friday 29th September
Please pray for:
Elizabeth Anderson
Cynthia Brown
Jim and Ann Butt
Elaine Dedicoat - “Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete." (John 16:24)
Elaine says: “Thank you everyone for your prayers. I am now a part time support worker in an assisted living home for adults with special educational developmental needs and mental health. I am also still working for SENDCAS (Send Clubs and Activities Service) with the children and young people, so am blessed to have two jobs I love. However I still need your prayers please.
My contract is only temporary for the first six months, so there is no sick pay. So please pray:
that James and I will not be ill during this time, and that I will continue to trust in God to provide;
that I will maintain the energy needed (at times I have ached in places I didn't even know could ache);
that I will learn quickly and remember all that I need to;
that I will complete and pass the 18 modules of training for the Care Quality Commission plus all additional training;
that I will become a valued member of staff and that in six months time ( 29th Feb 2024) my contract will be made permanent;
that I won't have to work too many Wednesdays and Sundays so I can still attend St Barnabas and St Nicholas services;
and finally and most importantly, that I will be a blessing to all who live and work in the home and that I show them who Jesus is in everything I think, say and do.
Bless you all for your love and support.”
Rene Eaton
Malcolm and Edna Hunter
Angela James
Ada Keeley
Jim and Annabel Loring
The Madeleys
Please pray for the Madeleys as they adjust to Rachel being at University and that Rachel will soon settle in and make some good friends. Pray especially for Ben who is struggling with his sister going away. Pray for Mark to receive advice on handling the latest developments with regard to health and for Caroline to continue to settle into her new role at school.
Please pray for Mark as he meets the Head Teacher and others at Oldmixon School on Monday 18th September to talk about Mark’s involvement in school assemblies and lessons there. There is currently no involvement from this Parish. Please also pray for Broadoak Academy to accept involvement from the Parish.
Stella Middleton, that she may settle back at home and receive the support she needs.
Hew and Priscilla Miles
Dorothy Mitchell & family as they remember David
Frances and Jimmy Pelengaris
Jeff Realff - Jeff's ear operation went alright. The stitches were not taken out on Monday 11th at the BRI as planned, and will be taken out this Monday, 18th, at Graham Road surgery. Please pray all the cancer has been taken out.
Mac and Pam Reid
Laura, Lyn and Rich Star
Peter and Val Tullett
Ted Warren – Ted thanks us for our prayers; he is pleased with the progress that has been made, but longs for a firm diagnosis soon.
Pray for the meeting of the PCC on the morning of Monday 25th September.
Please pray for Mark and others as they prepare a profile for the role of a part-time lay pioneer minister to be based at St Barnabas. Ask for wisdom, discernment and grace as they create this statement and that it will find favour with the Diocese.
Next month, PCC members will be discussing the need to undertake major repairs on St Nicholas’ roof and stonework. As this will be an expensive and time-consuming project, please pray that we will know whether this is the right time under God to embark upon such a project.
Please continue to pray for:
Heather Johnstone with Rehema in Tanzania - Heather gives thanks for the busy season and the positive energy that has been generated. Please pray for more visitors during the "down" season.
Pedro Santos our CMJ rep. in Israel
The Clarkes
Phil and Sylvie Good - Please pray for them as they settle back in the UK and prepare for deputation.
Peace in Ukraine and Alison Giblett, Anya and Pastor Valery.
Contact Details
Mark’s contact details are mark@mibtravel.co.uk and 01934 620156.
Our Church Wardens
Jim: 01934 644623 or jim@annabelloring.plus.com
Lynn: 01934 813763 or lynnmarypack@gmail.com
The Pastoral Team
Pauline Farley 415401
Edna Hunter 270938
Angela James 07792 133403
Barbara Lewis 07773 087439 (mobile preferred to landline 633655)
Joy Realff 625545
Parish Office
Duncan is normally in the Parish Office at the following times:
Mondays and Wednesdays 09:00am - 2:00pm
If you need to contact him please telephone (01934 641863) or use email - stnickswithstbs@hotmail.co.uk
Instagram and Twitter
Our churches now have an Instagram account, which Rachel has set up and is running. The address is st.nicholas.with.st.barnabas (no capitals)
The Parish's Twitter address is @st_wsm (not @st-wsm)