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Notices
Contemplative Prayer: Please join us on Wednesday evenings at 6pm on Zoom. There will be music and a short reflection, and a 10-15 minute silence. It’s a great way to break up the busy week and take a breath. The Zoom link is the same as the Morning/Evening Prayer link and can be found HERE or on the website homepage.
Contemplative Eucharist: Join us on Tuesday evenings at 6pm in the side chapel for a short and prayerful celebration of the Eucharist.
Solar Panels: As many of you may have noticed, scaffolding has gone up on the roof of the south nave. This is in preparation for the installation of our solar panels. We are very excited to be taking this environmental step forward and are delighted that St Mary’s will have solar panels installed and working before Christmas.
Jubilate! This short, relaxed service with a focus on families and children is every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Due to the renovation of the community space, this term the service will take place in St Paul’s School hall across the road (NW3 3DS).
Community Listening Project: At St Mary’s we believe in open doors, open hearts and open minds. Over our 150 years we have been committed to making a positive difference in our community from the start. As we look to the future, we want to understand the needs in our community and reflect on our role within it. Our Community Listening Project aims to gather the views of people in our community, make new connections, and help us plan for the future. Let us know what you think by completing our online survey or pick up a paper copy from the back of church, which can then be put in the box or handed to the Parish Office. We look forward to hearing your views!
Carers & Sharers Playgroup: Every Thursday from 9:15am to 11am. We would it if you could help us spread the word that our Tuesday infant and toddler group is back. It’s a great opportunity to connect with other parents/carers and bring your little ones for some free play time, with toys, puzzles, books and soft play.
Cold Weather Shelter: We are delighted and very proud that we continue to be part of C4WS Homeless Shelter, and this year’s season is fast approaching. It is a wonderful and rewarding thing to be part of and we’d love for you to get involved. We’re in need of volunteers who could cook, and volunteers for the evening, overnight and breakfast shifts. Whether its one shift you can do or sever, it is greatly appreciated and your contribution makes a difference. Please contact Celyn (office@smvph.org.uk) for more information or if you would like to join the volunteer team.
Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion: The Bishop of Edmonton, Anderson Jeremiah, will be coming to lead our Candlemas Service on Sunday 2nd February. If you are considering Baptism or Confirmation please speak to Fr. Phil. Confirmation classes will begin in November. If your child is in Year 2 or above, and would be interested in Admittance to Frist Communion, these classes will also be starting in November, during the 10:30 Sunday service. If you would like more information or have any questions, please speak to Fr. Phil (fr.phil@smvph.org.uk).
What’s On..
Gareth the Gargoyle’s Jovial Jaunts
Halloo there! Had a good summer? I certainly did, but it seemed far too short. For a species that spends most of its time in caves, up on the top of mountains, and living in old drafty buildings, we do rather like the sunshine, well I do anyway. So much for the sunshine now. Those hot days sitting atop a tree seem so far away. When did all this rain came from? When did we last have a day of sunshine?
Let me reminisce for a moment and tell you about me hols; it was ever so lovely. I popped down south to visit Old Uncle Eddy. You’ll remember I’m considered a youngon at 802? Take a guess at how old Old Uncle Eddys is then.
Old Uncle Eddy lives in one of the most beautiful places. I think it might be the heart of Camelot; it certainly feels magical enough. Its an old castle up on the top of a hill out to sea. The castle is just enough in ruins; there are tunnels and caves, towers and arches. It’s a marvellous place to explore. And a marvellous place to sit and watch the seals. In short, the perfect place to spend the summer.
I came back to my new home of St Mary’s all relaxed and carefree. I wasn’t prepared for the fast-paced hustle and bustle that I was greeted with. This vicar of yours was busy planning things and doing things. I made the invaluable suggestion of a rest hour in the early afternoon, preferably followed by tea and bikkies. It was a warmly welcomed idea, but I’ve yet to see it implemented. The closest to it we’ve come is on a Thursday morning during Fr. Phil’s Storytime. The wee nuggets bring so much noise into the building. But the good kind of noise – joyful noise, silly noise. But we all calm down when its time for Fr. Phil to read a story. He’s very good at the voices.
There’s also this new Jubilate! service on a Sunday. (Jubilate or Jubilate? There’s a lot of debate going on about how to say it; I think about it so much that my brain gets muddled and I end up saying the wrong one.) Now I’m not much of an early rise, and 9am on a Sunday does seem rather early – I don’t know how the 8am crew manage it. But it was nice to then have the rest of the day free to fly about. The music is good fun too – piano, electric guitar, shakers. I’m quite the expert when it comes to shakers. Fr. Phil talked about sunglasses; I know there was a very insightful message behind the sunglasses, just please don’t quiz me too hard on what it was. He doesn’t wear sunglasses apparently, so he nicked Mrs. Vicar’s pair. They’re very stylish, and I was tempted to acquire a pair myself. How do they suit me?
October’s a strange time. The weather feels very apt for it. I’ve been collecting the autumnal leaves; I use them to redecorate. But the rain’s been turning them to mush too quickly. I may have to borrow the thurible to dry them off. I’m sure Roddy wouldn’t mind. I’ve got to get thinking about my Halloween costume too. Traditionally mythical and magical creatures like myself take the evening off. It gets too confusing otherwise. But I think I might give it a go this year. Maybe I’ll dress as a puppy? Or perhaps a priest? Although I don’t want to give anyone nightmares….
Well cheerio and tickety-tonk for now. Good luck surviving the rain. If we get much more, my dear friend Krak might come visit; he need a lot of water though.
Ta-ta my friends. Till next time. – G.