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Christmas at St John's
Christmas Is a very special
time when families get together and share the pleasure of their
company. However Christmas is an important time in remembering
how Christ came into the world and the mission he gave us. Here
at St John's we want all in Crowthorne to share the 'Christ'
in Christmas. It is an excellent time to ask friends and neighbours
to join in the fellowship of St John's and ensure that Christ's
message is remembered by all.
For children and families the
Children's Society Christingle Service is on the 12th. On the
22nd the Mother and Toddler group have their Wednesday morning
nativity for younger Children and, on Christmas Eve, there will
be the Sunday School/Pathfinders Nativity Play - Tears of Sorrow,
Tears of Joy. Nicola Swanborough has again written and produced
a wonderful and musical start to our Christmas.
There will be the traditional
service of Lessons & Carols on the evening of the 19th and
the District Guides and Scouts have a Carol Service on the 17th.
There will be the Midnight
Service on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will start with the
traditional 1662 Communion Service at 8am and at 10.3Oam there
will be the Family Communion Service. After Christmas the Toy
Service on 2nd January provides an opportunity to pass on some
of those little used toys to those who are less fortunate.
Christmas is a good opportunity
to approach friends and neighbours to see if they would like
to come and
share the worship at St John's. The collections at Christmas
will be for the Children's Society.
Christingle Service
Sunday 12 December 3.30
pm
The service is organised
on behalf of
The Children's Society
It's always well attended
and we welcome visitors
Refreshments afterwards
Please could you bring
a plate of mince pies, festive biscuits or cakes to church that
day.
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OLGA WHITLOW
Olga left the parish at the beginning of November to go to live
in North Yorkshire.
She had lived at 'Cutty Sark'
in Addiscombe Road since 1949, where she joined her recently
widowed father who built the house, taking up her new post as
Headmistress of The Holt School, Wokingham. She was to remain
at The Holt, which was then a Girls' Grammar School, for the
next twenty years, until her retirement in fact. Her father,
a dentist, was one of the first Lay Readers in the Church of
England, being officially licensed in 1920 at Liverpool Cathedral.
The blue stole that he wore for the first time on this occasion
has now been given to Oxford Diocese. Sadly, he died in 1950,
shortly after coming to Crowthome.
Joan Donnington, Olga's Deputy
Head at The Holt came to live at 'Cutty Sark.' She taught French
while Olga's subject was Geography. Both ladies were very much
part of The Holt tradition and continued to be most supportive
of everything that happened at the School, most particularly
the Old Girls' Association.
They played an active part in parish life, and following Joan's
death, Olga continued to take a lively interest in everything
connected with the parish. She has a wide knowledge of Church
affairs, her brother who was living in Canada until his recent
death, was also a priest. She made a trip to see him fairly-
recently, with her companion, Angela, an ex-Holt pupil.
Olga's regular attendance at the 10.00 a.m Eucharist, her lively
mind, unfailing courtesy and interest in all parish affairs will
be much missed.
We wish her well in her new
life in Yorkshire, and, at the age of 95 years, good health and
happiness in the years to come.
PRAYING FOR STREETS
For December we will be praying
for:
5 Dec Fosse Way, Leyside, The Rise
12 Dec School Hill, Chaplains Hill
19 Dec Sandhurst Road (up to Kingsley Close)
If you can help deliver leaflets
or have a prayer request please contact us.
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CHRISTMAS FAYRE
10am to noon
Saturday 11 December
Church of England
School Hall
All the usual stalls.
A Red & Green stall this year
THE TOOL STALL IS BACK!
Stephen Pope would appreciate offers of help at the Fair.
Donations for Tomboia Prizes and items for the stalls (including
Red & Gwen) are welcome.
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Christmas Services
Sunday 12th December
3.30pm Christingle
Service - collection for the Children's Society
Friday December 17th
7pm SE Berkshire Scouts and Guides Carol Service
Sunday December 19th
6.30 pm Traditional
Service of Lessons & Carols
Wednesday December 22nd
10.45am Mother &
Toddler Nativity - Everyone welcome
Christmas Eve Friday Dec
24th
4.00 p.m. Crib Service
and Nativity Play
11.30 p.m. Midnight Eucharist of Christmas
Christmas Day Saturday Dec
25th 8.00 am
Holy Communion (1662)
10.30 a.m. Family Service, Communion & Carols
Sunday 26th St Stephen's
Day
9am Communion with
Carols
Sunday January 2nd
10.00 a.m. Toy Service
Family Service with Communion. Can you bring good
toys which will later be taken to distribute to families less
fortunate than ourselves?
Praying for the
Sick: Prayers for the
Sick continue every Friday at 6.15 in the Lady Chapel. These
prayers will include all those in our thoughts.
Festive Hot Pot Supper: A
very successful Hot Pot Supper was held on 27th November. Our
thanks to the social committee.
Hedge Cutting: A big
thank you to all those who helped with the hedge cutting last
month. The Churchyard now looks very neat and tidy.
MOTHERS' UNION
As usual, our December
meetings have a festive flavour! On Tuesday 7th Dec, 8pm, Mrs
Gwen Barton will be providing the entertainment and on Wednesday
5th Dec, 2.15pm, children from Our Lady of the Angels School
will be coming to entertain us.
Appropriate refreshments will be served at both meetings and
of course there will be an opportunity to sing cards. Our prayer
meeting will be on Monday
20th Dec, 930am (If you would like to, please bring a poem, reading
or prayer relevant to Christmas) and Corporate Communion will
be on Wednesday 22nd Dec at 10am both in the Lady Chapel. Remember
the right date:
BIBLE STUDY GROUP: From members of the recent Saturday Morning
Bible Study Group: "The example of Barnabas, as an encourager,
inspired us to think of all the friends in St John's who quietly
do so much often behind the scenes to contribute to the life
of the church. We wanted to send words of appreciation to them
- so THANK YOU everyone."
SICILY TRIP
Because I was very unhappy with the company and the way things
were run on my visit to Santiago I have pulled out of that and
am setting up (what will probably be my last trip) a visit to
Sicily for the May Half Term. It has a long Christian heritage
going back to the time of St Paul and the trip will be a mixture
of some touring - seeing live volcanoes and some leisure
- Brochures are now available or contact the vicar.
FAMILY FUN AFTERNOON
for families with children up to 11
years
Saturday 5 February
Hatch Ride School 4 to 6pm.
Children's Entertainer and all
the fun of a party.
Tickets available in January |
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