South Hartismere Benefice December Newsletter 2017

GOOD NEWS!

As we prepare to celebrate the good news of the birth of Jesus this Christmas, let’s look back at the good news stories in the Benefice this year.

It is a year since Bishop Mike came to lead us in a Good News Week-end and encouraged us to think about how we reach out to our local communities, especially at Christmas. On the Friday night we had a beautiful candle-lit evening worship, and the Mellisians helped us to sing some Taize Chants. We have now started a mid-week evening service at Mellis on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6pm, - a quiet reflective candlelit service, with a reading, prayers and time for reflection - open to all, and an oasis of calm in the midst of our busy lives! On the Saturday the Discovery Centre helped us out with Mega Messy Church, and since September we have started Mini Messy Church twice a month, 4-5.00pm – 1st Sunday Yaxley Village Hall; 4th Sunday Wetheringsett Village Hall. Come and join us for stories, crafts, snacks and a lovely tea. On the Sunday Emma was baptised by Bishop Mike, and 5 young people were admitted to Holy Communion. Bishop Mike also blessed a special Altar Cloth (pictured above) to be used at Messy Church and Baptisms. Each child who is baptised puts a leaf with their name on it on one of the 3 trees – and it is filling up fast! We have had 20 Baptisms this year and value the special relationship we have with our families. We used our Christmas Carol services as a way of publicising the things that take place in the Benefice, so please look out for our Christmas notices in the magazines and Church Noticeboards. We also turned our Christmas Trees into Prayer Trees, and will again be leaving Prayer Stars for you to write a prayer on to put on the tree, as well as a prayer card to take away. Thank you for all your help and support this year. With love, prayers and blessings for Christmas and the New Year.

Julia

From the Parishes: Baptisms: Welcome to Olivia Jenks and Albrie Crisp, Thorndon; Paisley Eke, Mellis Funerals: Remembering Beryl Foskett, Thornham Magna

What’s not to like! Come and join us, you are assured of a warm welcome. There

is a variety of family friendly services and activities each month in this

benefice.

First Sunday

Cafe Church at Thorndon Church,

9.15am

Messy Church at Yaxley Village Hall,

4.00 - 5.00pm

Third Saturday

Pizza n Prayer at Thorndon Church for children 9+

4.45 – 6.45pm (please note new start time)

Third Sunday

Family Cafe Church at Gislingham Village Hall,

10.30 - 11.30am (please note new start time)

Fourth Sunday

Messy Church at Wetheringsett Village Hall,

4.00 – 5.00pm

Coffee Morning at All Saints Church, Wetheringsett Wednesday morning from 10.30am (following Morning Prayer at 10am)

The last coffee morning of 2017 will be on Wednesday 13th December,

returning in the New Year on Wednesday 28th February

Mellis - Tea and Tranquillity

Are you ready for Christmas yet? Have you still got lots to buy – presents and food and the tree and….? Are you, like me, already fed up with the Christmas adverts on television?

On the afternoon of Wednesday December 13th, from 3.00 till 6.00pm,

Mellis church is offering a small oasis of calm, away from the mad, commercial chaos that now dominates the run-up to Christmas. There is no service, but the chancel will be candle-lit, with soft music playing, and there will be tea or coffee and mince pies for your refreshment. You will also have the opportunity to light a candle and say a silent prayer – for a loved one you have lost, for someone you are worried about, for family far away that you miss so badly over the festive season, or just for yourself, to say thank you for all the blessings you have received and asking God to be with you in the coming year. Stay for a short while and enjoy the peace, have a chat with the people making coffee, reclaim the meaning of Christmas.

And when your soul is refreshed as well as your body, go out again to join the

hectic, commercialised pre-Christmas world that we live in…….

Regular mid week services

Tuesday: 9.00am Morning Prayer at Gislingham Church

Wednesday: 10.00am Morning Prayer at Wetheringsett Church followed by Coffee Morning closing on 13th December, returning on 28th February 2018 Thursday: 9.30am Morning Prayer at Thorndon Church

First Wednesday of the month: 11.15am Holy Communion at The Limes, Mellis Second Wednesday of the month: 11.00am Holy Communion at Yaxley House 6.00pm Midweek Worship at Mellis Church

Monthly sale of second hand books

1st Saturday of the month 10am – 12noon

with coffee & cakes

Village Hall, Gislingham

Gentleman’s breakfast 2nd Saturday of the month

9.00am at

Stoke Ash White Horse Contact John Stanley

Tel: 01379 678003

Every Tuesday 10am – 12noon

Stalls and Refreshments

All Saints Church, Thorndon

Please note: Tplus for this year will finish on

the 12th

December and re-start

on the 9th

January 2018.

Thank you to everybody who has

supported us over the last year.

Blessings at Christmastime.

Tplus Team

The next Coffee Morning in

Gislingham Village Hall will be

on Tuesday 16th January 2018 10.30am – 12noon

please note there will not be a Coffee Morning in December

Third Wednesday in the month

at the Village Hall, Yaxley

from 10.30am until noon

(19th

December)

Funds towards St Mary’s church

Gislingham Bible study class Thursday

10.00am – 11.30am Contact Ann Cottee

01379 788633

followed by coffee and chat

Closing on 7th December returning on 11th January

Thorndon Home Group Tuesday evening

Contact :

Kim Palmer on 01379 678250

Mellis Church monthly Coffee Morning is closed for

the Winter

New Shoots Lunch

Tuesday 19th December 12.30pm – 2pm

Village Hall, Thornham Magna

Booking essential to : Beyond the Wall Tel: 01379 788700

Ladies Benefice Breakfast Saturday 2nd December 2017

Continental Style

ALL SAINT’S CHURCH

THORNDON

9A.M. – 10.30A.M.

By Donation, funds towards EACH.

Please either e-mail : john.stanley10@btopenworld.com or

Telephone : BRENDA 01379 678003

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME

Many thanks

All Saints Church, Stoke Ash

10am – 12noon Saturday 2nd December

Grand Draw, Stalls, Tombola

Clergy: Reverend Julia Lall Rector

rev.julialall@gmail.com 01379 678064

Churchwardens: Gislingham Ann Cottee 01379 788633 Assistant Warden Jackie Campbell 01379 783329 Mellis Betty Wells 01379 788155 Stoke Ash with Thwaite June Scott 01379 678926

Tim Rowe 01449 766360 Thorndon with Rishangles Assistant Warden John Stanley 01379 678003 Thornham Magna James Fawcett 01379 788130 Julia Henniker 01379 783336 Thornham Parva Martin Kay 01379 783531 Christine Moore 01379 783226 Wetheringsett with Brockford Rosemary Foulger 01728 860188 Yaxley Julian Moore 01379 788140 Assistant Wardens Pauline Smith 01379 783016 Jane Mould 07807 064698 Benefice Admin. Support: Christine Moore

cm783226@gmail.com 01379 783226

Yaxley church is open daily and at the back of the church there is a selection of books for sale. Donations please.

We are holding a special Memorial Service atWe are holding a special Memorial Service atWe are holding a special Memorial Service atWe are holding a special Memorial Service at

St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Church, GisliGisliGisliGislinghamnghamnghamngham on on on on

Saturday 2Saturday 2Saturday 2Saturday 2ndndndnd December December December December at 3.00pm at 3.00pm at 3.00pm at 3.00pm

and you, your family and friends are invited to come and join us.and you, your family and friends are invited to come and join us.and you, your family and friends are invited to come and join us.and you, your family and friends are invited to come and join us.

This is a short, simple service of readings, hymns and prayers, and you will This is a short, simple service of readings, hymns and prayers, and you will This is a short, simple service of readings, hymns and prayers, and you will This is a short, simple service of readings, hymns and prayers, and you will have the opportunity to light a candle in memory of your loved one.have the opportunity to light a candle in memory of your loved one.have the opportunity to light a candle in memory of your loved one.have the opportunity to light a candle in memory of your loved one.

You will be welcome to stay for a chat and refreshments after the service. You will be welcome to stay for a chat and refreshments after the service. You will be welcome to stay for a chat and refreshments after the service. You will be welcome to stay for a chat and refreshments after the service.

We very much look forward to seeing you, but if you are unable to come, We very much look forward to seeing you, but if you are unable to come, We very much look forward to seeing you, but if you are unable to come, We very much look forward to seeing you, but if you are unable to come,

please be assured that we will be praying for your lovedplease be assured that we will be praying for your lovedplease be assured that we will be praying for your lovedplease be assured that we will be praying for your loved----one and reading out one and reading out one and reading out one and reading out their nametheir nametheir nametheir name....

For further dFor further dFor further dFor further details please contact Reverend Julia Lall,etails please contact Reverend Julia Lall,etails please contact Reverend Julia Lall,etails please contact Reverend Julia Lall, Tel: 01379 678064 eTel: 01379 678064 eTel: 01379 678064 eTel: 01379 678064 e----mail: rev.julialall@gmail.commail: rev.julialall@gmail.commail: rev.julialall@gmail.commail: rev.julialall@gmail.com

An Invitation to RememberAn Invitation to RememberAn Invitation to RememberAn Invitation to Remember from the from the from the from the Churches of South Hartismere:Churches of South Hartismere:Churches of South Hartismere:Churches of South Hartismere: Gislingham, Mellis, Stoke Ash, Thorndon,Gislingham, Mellis, Stoke Ash, Thorndon,Gislingham, Mellis, Stoke Ash, Thorndon,Gislingham, Mellis, Stoke Ash, Thorndon,

ThoThoThoThornham Magna, Thornham Parva, rnham Magna, Thornham Parva, rnham Magna, Thornham Parva, rnham Magna, Thornham Parva, Wetheringsett and Yaxley Wetheringsett and Yaxley Wetheringsett and Yaxley Wetheringsett and Yaxley

Mary and Joseph’s Advent JourneyMary and Joseph’s Advent JourneyMary and Joseph’s Advent JourneyMary and Joseph’s Advent Journey 2017 2017 2017 2017

Just before her baby was born, Mary and Joseph

had to make the long and difficult journey from Nazareth

to Bethlehem, about 70 miles. They would have had to

find lodgings for the nights along the way, with family

members, with friends or neighbours, or in lodging houses

or inns. Sometimes, this was not easy…... You can read

about it in St Luke’s gospel, chapter 2.

Our ‘Mary’ and ‘Joseph’ are once again making a journey around our

benefice this Advent, and are looking for lodgings each night………. They They They They

wiwiwiwill set off from Gislingham church on Advent Sunday, December 3rd, and, ll set off from Gislingham church on Advent Sunday, December 3rd, and, ll set off from Gislingham church on Advent Sunday, December 3rd, and, ll set off from Gislingham church on Advent Sunday, December 3rd, and,

all being well, will arrive safely at Midnight Communion at Thornham Magna all being well, will arrive safely at Midnight Communion at Thornham Magna all being well, will arrive safely at Midnight Communion at Thornham Magna all being well, will arrive safely at Midnight Communion at Thornham Magna

on Christmas Eve. on Christmas Eve. on Christmas Eve. on Christmas Eve. The children will have their own ‘Mary’ and ‘Joseph’.

Whichever pair stay with you, thank you for welcoming them……..

While they are in your house you might like to put them in a special

place. Some people like to light candles, or say a prayer, or you could read

about them in Luke’s gospel, or simply enjoy their presence. In the pack that

comes with them you will find prayers, poems, readings and reflections that

people have found useful in the past, and do enjoy the photographs. Please

feel free to add things of your own to the new 2017 scrap book. Last year’s

scrap book will be included to help you get started.

Please only keep them for one night, and then make arrangements to

pass them on. If you have difficulty, included in the pack will be a list of all

the people who have welcomed them in the past, and who may like to have

them again. What a great opportunity to have a coffee and a chat with

someone you haven’t seen for ages………..!

South Hartismere Benefice Worship Rota – December 2017

Saturday 2nd Gislingham 3.00pm Memorial Service JL

Wetheringsett 9.00am CW Holy Communion AH Gislingham 10.30am CW Holy Communion JL Yaxley 12 noon Messy Church/Christmas Fayre JL

Sunday 3rd The 1st

h Sunday of

Advent

Thorndon 6.00pm Carol Service & Christingle JL

Stoke Ash 9.30am BCP Holy Communion FH Yaxley 10.30am CW Holy Communion AH

Thorndon 10.30am Morning Worship PN Thornham Magna 10.45am CW Holy Communion JL

Sunday 10th The 2

nd Sunday of

Advent

Wetheringsett 6.00pm Carol Service & Christingle JL

Tuesday 12th Mellis 7.00pm Carols by Candlelight JL Wednesday 13th Thorndon 2.30pm School Carol Service Mellis 2.00pm

– 6.00pm

Tea & Tranquillity ending with Midweek Worship

BW/Team

Thursday 14th Mellis 1.45pm School Carol Service JL Gislingham 7.00pm Carol Service JL Saturday 16th Thorndon 5.00pm Pizza ‘n’ Prayer Outing GW/JL

Gislingham 8.30am BCP Holy Communion JL Thornham Parva 10.30am CW Holy Communion JL Wetheringsett 10.30am Morning Worship KG Thornham Magna 3.00pm Carol Service with the

Gislingham Silver Band JL

Sunday 17th The 3

rd Sunday of

Advent

Stoke Ash 6.00pm Carol Service JL Monday 18th Gislingham 2.00pm School Carol Service JL Wetheringsett 6.00pm School Carol Service JL Wednesday 20th Gislingham Village

Hall 10.30am – 12.30pm

Christmas Craft Party Team

Saturday 23rd Thornham Parva 6.00pm Carol Service JL Wednesday 6th The Limes 11.15am CW Holy Communion AH/JA/BW

Wednesday 13th Yaxley House 11.00am CW Holy Communion AH/JA/BW

South Hartismere Benefice Worship Rota – December 2017

Mellis 10.30am Benefice Holy Communion AH Gislingham 3.00pm Christingle JA/PN

Sunday 24th The 4

th Sunday of

Advent Yaxley 4.00pm Carol Service JL Thornham Magna 11.30pm First Eucharist of Christmas JL

Wetheringsett 9.00am CW Holy Communion JL Monday 25th Christmas Day Gislingham 9.30am Morning Worship AC Thorndon 10am for

10.30am Café Communion JL/Team

Stoke Ash 10.30am Benefice Holy Communion AH Sunday 31st

The 1st Sunday of

Christmas Gislingham 11.45pm Prayers, Bells & celebrations

for the New Year PN

BCP = Book of Common Prayer – said service CW = Common Worship – with hymns

Contact:

Reverend Julia Lall - Rector rev.julialall@gmail.com 01379 678064

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThorndonAllSaints/