St. Paul’s Church, Chippenham

THANK YOU - I just want to start by recording my thanks to everyone who has contributed to the Harvest Suppers, the farewell for James & Inger Denniston and the Stuart Townend concert at St Paul’s. They have all been marvellous events and it is very encouraging just how many people helped with them and took part! Thank you for the part you played! I have heard from the Dennistons and they said that they felt very affirmed as we prayed for them going off to a new ministry.

WELCOME - to Anjali Kanagaratnam and Tim Woodward after their licensing as Readers/Lay Ministers recently – we look forward to your ministry amongst us!

TEAM VICAR APPOINTMENT - this is slowly moving on – please keep the process in your prayers and do, please, feel free to ask me about it – I am very happy to talk with you about what we are hoping to do!

SATURDAY 3rd NOVEMBER - I highly recommend this morning of singing songs from the Iona Community at St Peter’s Church, Frogwell. Led by Alison Adam (who I met when I spent Easter on the island) it will last from 10am-2.15pm (lunch included) and costs £5 only. To register please email Helen Fensome (helenfens at aol.com) or phone 654835 or 461678. It should be really enjoyable and imaginative and a lovely way of worshipping with our voices.

PRAYER @ ST PAUL’S - we are expecting to have a time of prayer ministry during the 10am Holy Communion on Sunday 4th November. Come and receive prayer for yourself or others!

MEMORIAL SERVICES - during November we hold 2 evening services for those who would like to remember family & friends who have died. They are at 6.30pm on the 4th November at St Pauls and on the 11th November at Kington St Michael. Why not come along and thank God for those who have influenced your lives!

KINGTON ST MICHAEL EVENSONG - this means that there is no KSM evensong on Sunday 11th November. As I write I do not know if there will be one in December – but we are holding the Carol Service on the 16th December at 4pm. Sadly, the monthly Evensong at Kington St Michael will not run in the New Year 2008. Although, over the years, it has been an important part of people’s spirituality numbers now are very small and we do not feel able to resource this service. A small church with few members and even fewer able to commit themselves to taking responsibility means that the burden for running things falls on a very few. I am afraid that the ending of Evensong is the victim.

REMEMBRANCE - our special Remembrance services are at 10am at Langley Burrell and at 6.30pm at St Paul’s on Sunday 11th November. (All our services will take this as our main theme on that day.)

MUKONO LINK MEETING - the Chippenham Deanery link with Mukono diocese in Uganda will be having its next meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday 14th November at Mary Mehinick’s home in Notton. If you would like to be part of this do come along – I’d happily give you a lift (or directions on how to get to Mary’s).

SPICY SUNDAY - Sunday 25th November and I am already looking forward to our next Spicy Sunday in St Paul’s hall. You will find details on the weekly notice sheet.

NIGHTSHIFT - you may have seen that there is to be a Friday night ministry to young people in Chippenham based at the Baptist church. If you are interested in this ministry please contact Rev Nicola Slateford 658633.

LEE ABBEY 2008 - a date for your diary … we are having our next Lee Abbey weekend 10-12 October 2008. We are very fortunate that our speaker will be the Rev Paul Bayes who is the National Mission & Evangelism Adviser for the Church of England. It should be very good indeed! And so, please pencil the date in your new 2008 diary.

TAIZE COMMUNION - will take place at 6.30pm on Sunday 25th November at St Paul’s.

OPEN TO GOD - takes place at 7.00pm on Sunday 18th November in St Paul’s hall.

THEMES & READINGS - we are continuing our autumn series called A WORLD ON THE MOVE during our morning services in November. These will be the main readings:

• November 4th - All can contribute - Acts 6:1-7
• November 11th - Remembrance - Isaiah 2:1-5
• November 18th - So, who is my neighbour? - Luke 10:25-37
• November 25th - Sheep & goats - Matthew 25:31-46

MIDWEEK BIBLE READINGS - at our midweek services of Holy Communion (10am on Wednesdays at St Paul’s – and 10am Thursdays at Kington St Michael) we are going to be continuing with the theme of 2 Corinthians.

• November 7th/8th - Paul’s concerns! - 2 Corinthians 12:11-21
• November 14th/9th - Warnings! - 2 Corinthians 13:1-4
• November 21st/22nd - Examine yourselves! - 2 Corinthians 13:5-10
• November 28th/29th - Greetings! - 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

PRAYER FOR THE MONTH – why not try and use his day by day for the month of November – the word ‘restless’ gives it a lovely sense of looking for God and looking forward as we get ready for Advent and the waiting for Christmas.

Almighty God, you have made us for yourself,
And our hearts are restless
Till they find their rest in you.
Teach us to offer ourselves to your service,
That here we may have your peace,
And in the world to come
May see you face to face;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen

Simon Tyndall