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

Last Updated on: 08/11/09

TODAY – A cross has been put in the URC garden for people to put their poppies on for Remembrance Day.

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

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.

DISCUSSION SERVICE NEXT WEEK 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.

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

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. Articles incude details of the proposed merger with St Nicholas, Hurst, as well as plenty more to keep everone entertained during the long winter evenings.

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

TEA AND TEXT Tuesday 10^th November at 2.30pm at Betty Souths – 5 Lincoln Gardens

HARVEST: The total collected including £65 from the Barn Dance was £280.00. The total is almost £1000. Thanks to everyone for their contribution. Anyone who would still like to add to this total please see Jenny Hay or Linda Jackson.

THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB – Thank you to everyone who supported the Fun Bingo Evening. £130.00 was raised for this year's charity Berkshire County Blind Society

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.

MOTHERS UNION COMMUNION - will be on Thursday 19^th November at 10am in the Corner Room.

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

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!

CROW – Thank-you for your sponsorship. A cheque for £870, of which the LEP receive half back, has been sent to Berkshire Churches Trust.

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!

OTHER EVENTS AND INFORMATION

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD. Will again be sending shoe-boxes of Christmas presents via the Samaritans to underprivileged children in Africa and eastern Europe. You don't need to fill a whole shoebox with gifts, just donate toys etc you'd like to give and we'll package it all up for you. Items that can be donated include: toys, pencils & notebooks, soap, toothbrush& toothpaste, hairbrush, longlife sweets, winter accessories (gloves wooly hats etc.) Please no food or chocolate, medicine, clothing, breakables, liquid, sharp, or war-themed objects, or stuffed toys without the 'CE' mark. Visit www.operationchristmaschild.co.uk for more information. Please leave your donations on the Operation Christmas Child table at the back of St Mary's Church.

CHURCH CENTRE HIRE FEES – Advanced notice that the charges for hiring the hall will rise in January 2010 due to rising energy costs. This is the first rise since 2008. Please see noticeboards for details.

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.