St Mary's Twyford, St James Ruscombe, and the United Reformed Church, Twyford

Last Updated on: 15/11/09

LEP MEMBERS MEETING TODAY Sunday 15^th November at 12 noon at Twyford URC. All the relevant papers are at the back of the churches.

DISCUSSION SERVICE Today 10.30am AT ST MARY'S – This is the last in our present series. Tim will be leading our thoughts on “Human Sexuality”. There is a more traditional Communion Service at the URC at the same time.

SUN. Nov 22^nd 10.30 at St Mary's A special (Communion) service to mark the end of the Christian Basics course. Come and hear about our journey.

SUN. Nov 29^th 10.30 at St. Mary's: An Advent Sunday LEP celebration for members of all three morning congregations – no services at 9am or at the URC. The Trailblazers will meet as usual, joining us later for Communion and for the sending out of Mary & Joseph on their Advent Journey.

REDEDICATION OF THE ORGAN at ST JAMES THE GREAT Sunday 22^nd November. – The 6pm service will include the rededication of the organ. Do come along to hear its fresh bright sound following a major overhaul during the summer. Refreshments afterwards.

ADVENT SERVICE at ST JAMES THE GREAT Sunday 29^nd November 6pm, to mark the start of the Church Year with a “sherry sip and nibble” afterwards

MARY & JOSEPH GO ON A JOURNEY from advent Sunday to Christmas Eve, Mary & Joseph (our crib figures) will once again be journeying around the villages in our LEP

If you are a family with children younger than 10 years of age you might like to consider if you could give them shelter for just one night and take them to another home the next day. If you could help them, or know of friends who might like to share in their journey, please contact Paula 0118 375 0529 paulapocock@ntlworld.com

MOTHERS UNION COMMUNION - will be on Thursday 19^th November at 10am at St James.

HOUSEBOUND CLUB – Will meet on Thursday 19^th November 2.15pm at the home of Ina Riding.

VOLUNTEERS DESPERATELY NEEDED: At St Mary's on Sunday mornings at 10.30 to operate the sound system and Easyworship projection system. Training provided – speak to Simon or Duncan for more information

THE PARISH MAGAZINE – ISSUE 2 - OUT NOW! The second issue of Living Faith magazine is now available for sale at the back of all churches.

ST. MARYS GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE: Details of the “Purchase a Plant Scheme” for the new garden of Remembrance are now on display at the back of St. Mary's Church. Do have a look and see how beautiful this very special place will be. If you are unable to make it to the church or would like further details please speak to Paula Pocock on 0118 375 0529

CHRISTMAS SINGERS – Practices during November on Monday afternoons and Friday evenings at the URC. Details from Sylvia Collins or Church Office. DO COME ALONG when you can – All welcome!

JUST DESSERTS CHRISTMAS MEAL – Friday 11^th December, at the Thai Elephant in Twyford. We need to confirm numbers and menu choices by 4^th December. If you would like to come along, please speak to Lizzie Steele, Debs Procter or Natalie Burton or contact the Church Office.

LOVE BEYOND REASON by John Ortberg– please speak to Natalie Burton if you would like a copy of the first chapter of this book to do some further thinking around November's All Age Family Service theme.

ALL AGE FAMILY SERVICE CHALLENGES

1) You should have given a neighbour a cake by now!

2) Help a neighbour with a job or just have a cup of tea and a chat with them.

3) Pray for three people you see when you are out. eg. ‘Dear God, Please give this person a good day and may they notice You in it.’

4) Say something nice about someone behind their back.

If you come along to our next service (Sunday 6^th December) with proof that you have successfully complete one or all of your missions, you will receive a small prize! Remember: Mission Is Possible!

CHRISTIAN AID The Christmas Present Aid catalogue 2009 is now in St Mary's Church. If you want ideas for fun gifts for relatives and friends and help Christian Aid at the same time please take one.

WONDER OF WORSHIP SERVICE. 22^nd November 6pm. St Mary's Wargrave. Final one in the series “the names of God.” The name this time will be Jesus. All welcome.

CARDS FOR GOOD CAUSES Fridays 10am – 4pm and Saturdays 10am – 1pm. Until Saturday 12^th December. This year the 1959 Group of Charities (the foundation of Cards for good Causes) celebrates their Golden Jubilee. We are celebrating this anniversary during the week 16^th - 21^st November but especially on Golden day Saturday 21st November when our local MP Mrs Theresa May will be joining us first thing that morning to cut the cake and start the celebrations. I do hope you will come too.

Refreshments are being served every Saturday morning from 10am to 12.30pm whilst Cards for Good Causes are being sold. Please come along to peruse the cards and enjoy a sit down meet up with your friends.

CHARITY TABLE-TOP SALE - 28^th November in URC Hall 10 – 4. Proceeds to Air Ambulance and URC. Tables at £5. Please contact Tony or Alison Evans on 9345867.

CHRISTMAS CARD AT ST. MARY'S – There will be a large Christmas card in the Welcome Area of St Mary's from 29^th November. Instead of individual cards why not leave a message to your friend's in the church family and put in a small donation for Feed The Children.

CLOSURE OF ST JAMES – St James will be closed except for church services, from this Monday, November 9^th, for two weeks. This is to enable the vestry to be painted and minor repairs to be done to the roof. We hope that it will reopen again as usual from Monday 23^rd November.

OTHER EVENTS AND INFORMATION

RNLI urgently needs collectors for house-to house once a year in Twyford; if you are able to help please contact Tony Evans on 9345867.