Weekly Pews News
no 20-47 Christ the King
22.11.2020
Sunday 22nd November
Readings set for today: Ezekiel 34: 11–16, 20–24; Psalm 95: 1–7; Ephesians 1: 15–end;
Matthew 25: 31–end
Collect 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. Amen.
Lockdown 2.0 at St Thomas à Becket, Pagham: in line with Government instructions, public worship at St Thomas à Becket’s church is suspended until at least early December. Thanks to a team of volunteer cleaners we are able to have the church open ~09:00–16:00 for private prayer. When visiting please be sure to: wear a face mask, use the anti–bac. hand gel provided, and check in using the NHS Track and Trace code, if you are able to.
If you have any kind of need or need to speak with someone, please do call Mthr Lucy or one of the Churchwardens (see contacts below).
We pray for those who have contracted the virus, those treating them, those researching a vaccine, the
families of those who have died, and for the repose of the souls of the virus’s victims.
May God bless us all. Mthr Lucy
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Radio & TV broadcasts: Sunday Worship on Radio 4; Songs of Praise on BBC1; Choral Evensong on Radio 3; Sunday services on Premier Christian Radio and Angel Radio.
Smartphone free apps: C of E Time to Pray, Daily Prayer, Pray As You Go, Lectio365, Taketime Spiritual Meditations.
24-hour freephone: Daily Hope (for Christian worship): 0800 804 8044.
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The church is open ~9:00 – 16:00 every day for private prayer
Sunday 22nd November
Intention: our Deanery of Arundel & Bognor, and its parishes, clergy and people; our Rural Dean Mark Standen, and the work of Deanery Synod.
Anniversary: Ronald Rudduck (2014)
Monday 23rd November – Clement, bishop, martyr, c.100
Intention: all those who do difficult work on our behalf, especially in the armed services and the emergency services.
Anniversary: Phyllis Woombell (1965)
Tuesday 24th November
Intention: the Church’s worldwide mission; all missionary societies and the Bible Society.
Wednesday 25th November
Intention: our Diocese of Chichester, Bishops Martin, Ruth and Will, and Archdeacon Luke; the work of Diocesan Synod and Church House; the witness of Chichester Cathedral.
Anniversary: Phyllis Bell (1963)
Thursday 26th November
Intention: the elderly, lonely and bereaved; all those in residential care and those who care for them.
Friday 27th November
Intention: all who work for peace and justice; the maintenance of good relationships with the United Nations and all other countries.
Anniversary: Eric Martin (2004)
Saturday 28th November
Intention: vocations to the ordained ministry, especially in our own parish; theological colleges and ordinands in training; our own Parish ordinand Gemma Fleury; vocations to the religious life.
Sunday 29th November First Sunday of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 64: 1–9; Psalm 80: 1–8, 18–20; 1 Corinthians 1: 3–9; Mark 13: 24–end.
PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS
We pray for all in need of healing in body, mind or spirit: Lynette, Rosie Sims, Terry Haskell, Jean Martin, Lila Cowee, Barbara Crew, June Evans, Bea Tucker, Karen Cox, Jim Fowler, Sheila King, Robin Potter.
For urgent prayer, contact Gillian Purvis (267597) or Colin Wood (264192) to start the Prayer Chain.
We remember Church family who live in residential care or usually receive communion at home: Jane Upton, Maureen Yates.
We pray for God’s blessing on all in our parish: Windmill Close, Willow Way, Wolsey Close, Woodfield Close, Wythering Close.*
We pray for all affected directly by Covid-19; for those experiencing domestic abuse, who are now even more vulnerable, and local agencies supporting them.
*Praying for our Community: the weekly streets prayer list is being revamped for 2021, and we will be praying for all the streets of the parish over a two-month cycle. The new copy of this will be published with December’s Good News in time for the church New Year on Advent Sunday, and available thereafter. This means that the streets we pray for will no longer be in Pews News, however, you are all encouraged to put your copy of the list in a prominent position at home, to help you to remember to pray for our community each day.
NOTICES
Zoom Daily Prayer resumes on Monday 30th November at 09:00, and continues to use the same link.
Sunday Services: every week a new service for the parishes of Pagham and Aldwick is being recorded and uploaded to YouTube. With Trudi’s email you will find an Order of Service for the next two weeks that will help you to join in, when you watch. If you’d like to take part either reading or leading the intercessions please contact Mthr Lucy. To find the service, simply click on the link in Trudi’s email.
If you are not able to join in online please know that you are all prayed for daily, and I appreciate your prayers too for the whole of our community at this time.
Reverse Advent Calendar: please do keep going with your Foodbank Christmas collections. There is just over a week left – the church is open ~09:00–16:00 for you to drop off your donations. Alternatively, if you need your donations collected, please do speak to Mthr Lucy or a Churchwarden.
Mental health: the combination of the pandemic and the cold dark nights of winter is an added burden on the many who struggle with their mental health. The following resources can be a literal life-line:
Shout is the UK’s first text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Text: 85258 (free, 24/7).
Samaritans provides confidential support for anyone in distress. Phone: 116 123 (free, 24/7) or email jo@samaritans.org. The Self-Help online app provides coping resources and ways of monitoring feelings.
Domestic abuse: My Sisters’ House in Bognor Regis is a sanctuary for domestic abuse survivors and a women’s support centre for the coastal area of West Sussex. Abuse of various kinds can affect anyone, and has risen sharply during lockdown. MSH’s founder and director, Julie Budge, has been recognised with a Women of the Year award for this vital work. Phone: 01243 697800; web mysistershouse.info.
Our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Jan Brockhurst, can give advice (see under Contacts below), and also our Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator, Linda Hill: 07759 855719, domesticabuse@paghamchurch.org.
Men’s Breakfast: Oz Alashe MBE, CEO of CybSafe, is the speaker at this first virtual meeting on Saturday 28th for all men, irrespective of faith status. More details from Peter Sutton: 07813 024585.
Christmas Cards: we continue to do our best to keep you all safe when you come into the church and to care for one another by observing social distancing. To this end I am afraid that this year the pigeonholes will not be available for the delivery of Christmas cards to members of our congregations. The risk of transmission on the cards and by people gathering in this area of the church is too great. Instead, I encourage you, if you would like, to write one card to the whole congregation to be posted on a board that will be made available at the back of the church. Alternatively, why not be sure to give a phone call or send a personal email to those you would have sent Christmas cards to? You might like to consider making a donation to charity with the money saved in sending these cards.Thank you for your understanding. Mthr Lucy
Pagham Church on social media: find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @StThomasPagham.
CONTACT DETAILS
The Revd Lucy Sullivan: mthrlucy.pagham@gmail.com, 01243 941551. Rest day Friday.
Churchwardens: Mike Wake and Stephen Cox-Rusbridge: churchwarden@paghamchurch.org,
07899 705632//07974 177905.
Church website update: email editor@paghamchurch.org to add content.
Safeguarding Officer: Jan Brockhurst: safeguarding@paghamchurch.org.
Pews News: Alison Blenkinsop: pewsnews@paghamchurch.org, 01243 261131, 07784 544981.