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.
Pew Sheets
The pew sheets for Sunday 8 December, including the readings, prayers and music details for Sunday’s services, are available to download below:
Sunday 8 December
Second Sunday in Advent
8.00am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (said, 1662 BCP)
10.30am – St Margaret’s Parish Eucharist at Phil & Jim School (sung, Common Worship)
10.30am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
Note that there is no evening service at St Giles’ on 8 December.
O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power
and come among us,
and with great might succour us;
that whereas, through our sins and wickedness
we are grievously hindered
in running the race that is set before us,
your bountiful grace and mercy
may speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, 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’
Wednesday: 8pm Compline by Candlelight at St Giles’
Next Sunday (15 December):
Third Sunday in Advent
8.00am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (said, 1662 BCP)
10.30am – St Margaret’s Parish Eucharist at Phil & Jim School (sung, Common Worship)
10.30am – Holy Communion at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
6.30pm – Choral Evensong at St Giles’ (sung, 1662 BCP)
Parish News
Christmas services
Details of all of our Christmas services are available on our parish websites – as well as on our Christmas cards (see below!).
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).
Benefice Magazine
The latest issue of the Benefice Magazine is now out: please download it using the button below. If you would like to have a look at a paper copy there will be a handful in each church, but to save paper do browse digitally or leaf through the paper copies in church and return them!
New electoral roll for 2025
In 2025, all Church of England parishes wipe their electoral rolls blank, and everyone who wants to be on one needs to apply or re-apply. Both St Giles’ and St Margaret’s are starting the process a little early, from today.
If you’re not sure what an electoral roll is or why you should be on it – or if you do know and just want to re-apply – use the buttons below:
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
Choir Christmas Party
Come and join us for a festive celebration and raffle in the Parish Hall adjacent to St Giles’ on Saturday 21 December at 18:55. Food and drink for all will be provided. Contributory tickets may be purchased at choir rehearsals and after Sunday services on 8 and 15 December: £6 Adult (16+), £3 Child, £15 Family Ticket (2 Adults; 2 Children under 16).
We will hold a raffle on the night. Raffle tickets are on sale for a £1 a strip. Please do let Miss Harris know if you can sell some. We already have some fantastic prizes Please do consider donating a prize for the raffle – there is a box in the choir vestry. We very much hope to see you on 21 December!
Help out at St Margaret’s
St Margaret’s could do with a few more people to do readings, lead intercessions and help with after service refreshments, now that we are having our “own” services again. Any level of commitment is appreciated, even offering to take a slot just once or twice a year is welcome – and of course you can swap dates or be replaced should your plans change! Please send details of your availability for January and February 2025 – or any questions you might have – to Frances Bagnall-Oakeley. A big thank you to all those who have already been in touch!
Recycled Christmas Cards
As last year, I have a huge number of beautiful old cards. Please take one from the box in church, contribute £1 and fashion your own unique card using some new card to glue your chosen image on. Children love to make cards for the family too! These beautiful ‘old ‘ cards collected over 50 years still carry the same Christmas message. If anyone would like to take a number and make them into new cards for return to church, we can then receive donations for these too – all funds to go to the Gatehouse. If you are at St Margaret’s, I can deliver any to you. – Helen Dodd
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 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.
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 8th 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
Jazz at St Giles’: A Child’s Christmas
The next (non-sold out) Jazz at St Giles’ concert is Saturday 11th January 7:30pm: A Child’s Christmas, an evening of Jazz inspired by Dylan Thomas’ poem.
Little Fishes
Please note that Little Fishes is taking place at the Vicarage while the church is closed.
Browser Extension to Raise Money
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Diocesan News
Winter issue of Pathways is here
The latest issue of Pathways, the Diocesan magazine, is out now – you can pick up a paper copy from church or download it from the Diocesan website below:
Community News
Tea & Talks
This series of Tea & Talks at the St Margaret’s Institute continues on Wednesday 8th January at 1:30pm with a talk on Chaucer’s The Wife of Bath from Marion Turner, the university’s Tolkien professor and authority on Chaucer. Tickets are £2 on the door.