Weekly News: 24 November – 1 December

Welcome to our weekly newsletter for the benefice. If you would like to be notified by email each week, please sign up using the form at the bottom of this page.

If you have any items for next week’s notices, please send them to manager@StGilesStMargarets.org by Wednesday.

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Pew Sheets

The pew sheets for Sunday 24 November, including the readings, prayers and music details for Sunday’s services, are available to download below:

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Sunday 24 November

Christ the King
8.00am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (said, 1662 BCP)
10.30am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (sung, Common Worship)
6.30pm – Choral Evensong at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)

Eternal Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven
that he might rule over all things as Lord and King:
keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit
and in the bond of peace,
and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Worship & prayer this week:

Morning Prayer: 8.30am Tuesday-Friday at St Giles’

St Giles’ open for quiet prayer: 12pm – 2pm, Monday-Friday

Evening Prayer: 5.30pm Monday-Saturday at St Giles’

Next Sunday (1 December):

First Sunday in Advent
8.00am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (said, 1662 BCP)
10.30am – St Margaret’s Holy Communion at Phil & Jim School (sung, Common Worship)
10.30am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
6.30pm – Advent Carol Service at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)

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Parish News

Christmas Card Delivery

We are now preparing to deliver our Christmas Cards with information about services across the Benefice to our community. We are hoping to deliver to as many houses as possible in the Benefice. Please speak to or email Claire if you can help do a road or more! (associate@stgilesstmargarets.org). 

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Benjamin Grønlie Concert

Former St Giles’ Chorister and Organ Scholar, Benjamin Grønlie, returns to give a piano recital in St Giles’ on Sunday 15 December at 16:00

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Jewellery Sale

The Famous FASHION JEWELLERY SALE returns!  In aid of CHURCH FUNDS. A table with exciting fashion jewellery will be at the back of St Giles’ Church on Sundays 1st, 8th, and 15th December . Buy your last minute little gifts for Christmas – donations – mostly all at £3! Enjoy a good rummage. If you have items you can offer to replenish stock from last year, please see Jane Finnerty or Helen Dodd or leave in a labelled container in the kitchen.

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Toy Appeal

As in year’s past we are organising a collection for the Salvation Army Christmas Toy Appeal. The local Salvation Army partner with social services to provide gifts for children at Christmas time who might otherwise go without. They gave gifts to over 100 families year and with the on-going impacts of the cost of living the need continues to rise in our city. All gifts need to be new. Please bring donations to St Giles’ on Sundays, or at lunchtimes in the week – there will be a labelled box at the back. Donations needs to be received by the Sunday 8^th December. Thank you for your support!

They are especially interested in receiving colouring and craft sets and do not want soft toys. 

• 0-3 years:  dolls, cot mobiles, baby clothes, bath toys, puzzles
• 3-5: dolls and action figures, cars, lorries, colouring sets, pencils, crayons, books, puzzles
• 5-9: educational games & toys, stationery (colouring sets, pencils, crayons, school sets), books, puzzles, wordsearch, crosswords
• 9-12: games and toys, stationery, books, t-shirts, hair accessories, gloves, scarves, hats
• 13-16: books, make-up and toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, t-shirts, hair accessories and gift vouchers

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Saturdays at St Margaret’s

Before the pandemic, many local families found out about St Margaret’s by coming to SAM’s (craft morning) or Sammy’s (music lessons and play).

We are now in the process of trying to reimagine Saturdays at St Margaret’s and we’d love to get the views of local families – whether you attend St Margaret’s, St Giles’, somewhere else or nowhere! If you have time, please can you fill in this questionnaire:

Thank you so much for helping us decide what to do next.

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SOLD OUT: Jazz at St Giles’: The Budapest Café Orchestra

The next Jazz at St Giles’ concert on Sunday 8th December 7:30pm is now SOLD OUT. Sorry to anyone who missed out – make sure to book early to avoid disappointment! The next one after that is Saturday 11th January 7:30pm: A Child’s Christmas, an evening of Jazz inspired by Dylan Thomas’ poem.

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St Margaret’s Cook Book

The St Margaret’s Cook Book is now available – the best way to purchase it to support the church is either to get the hard copy in person from Cara Thomas, or get the e-book from Amazon. The church would like to thank everyone who worked to make the book happen.

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Little Fishes

Please note that Little Fishes is taking place at the Vicarage while the church is closed.

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Browser Extension to Raise Money

Raise a free donation for St Margaret’s Church, Oxford when you shop online via #easyfundraising. Add the extension to your browser and whenever you shop online with one of 7,500+ easyfundraising’s partners they will make a donation to us! This includes Tesco, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, Argos, Trainline and more! If you’re not supporting us on easyfundraising yet, now’s the perfect time to get involved.

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Community News

Tea & Talks

This series of Tea & Talks at the St Margaret’s Institute continues on Wednesday 4th December at 1:30pm with a talk on Put an end to crises: we can revive Britain’s prosperity, society and environment from Colin Mayer CBE, professor and author. Tickets are £2 on the door.