November Newsletter 2025

Julie Writes

Dear Friends,

All is safely gathered in and as the clocks go back and the evenings draw in. My Mum would have called it ‘The back end’ Time to put the heating on and settle down. The church, less poetically, calls it the season between All Saints and Advent, or the Kingdom season. It is a time of being thankful and remembering. On Sunday 2nd November we will celebrate All Saints Day and remember that the title ‘Saint’ isn’t reserved for those great heroes of faith but in the New Testament simply means ‘holy ones’. People like you and me who have discovered that life only makes sense in relationship with God and one another. We’re part of God’s story and each other’s stories, called to share God’s love and reflect his grace to all those around us.

The PCCs and Ministry team met recently and as part of that desire to reflect God’s love and grow our church community we revisited the work we began almost 2 years ago looking at how we might grow our church ‘in numbers, in spiritual commitment and in service to our local community’. Of course you will recognise this phrase from our Mission prayer. Many of you will have the mugs we distributed in Easter 2024, and I urge you to get them out from the back of the cupboard if they’ve ended up there and pray that prayer again daily. A small group are getting together on Monday 3rd at 7:30pm in church to explore further some of the ideas and look at taking them forward. If you would like to be involved, please come along.

Julie

Prayer Harmony

He shall judge between the nations and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Isaiah 2:4
All Soul’s Day helps us to remember all who we have lost, and we pray for those who are hurting and sad. We pray for all who are bereaved and ask God to surround them with His peace and love.
Remembrance Day calls us to remember all who have given their lives in the Service of others, through defending their country or through rescuing wounded from the battle fields, or through keeping the people fed during the conflicts. This day, we ask God to help us to bring lasting peace to all countries of the world, so that war will be a distant grotesque memory. We pray for all military people who have lasting injuries, in body, mind or spirit, that they may find healing and wholeness and so resume their lives in peace.
The Toy Service reminds us of all those children and young people who have little to look forward to this Christmas, and we ask God to increase our generosity and willingness to show love to others, especially those that we don’t know personally. We pray for the children and their families, that they will receive the help they need to go on to fulfilling and strengthened lives, without poverty.
During the season of Advent, we look forward to the second coming of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in glory. So, we pray for ourselves and our church to be ready for this momentous day, knowing that we have done our best to bring the Kingdom of God further towards completion.
Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’ Acts 1:1

Prayer meeting each Thursday 7:00pm-8:00pm, no invitation required, just turn up at the Prayer room.

Bible study continues Tuesday afternoon at 2:00pm fortnightly, call Sylvia on 07872 314103 for more details.

Vicar Vacancy Update
Job Advert, job description, and job specification have been sent by the Archdeacon to the Patrons and Parish Reps, who will be and involved in the interviewing process.

Dates for November at St Michael’s
Sunday 2nd November Memorial Service 3:00pm
Saturday 29th November 9:00am to 12:00 noon St Michael’s will be hosting the Coffee Morning in the Workshop at Holy Trinity Church
There will be stalls and an opportunity to buy some preloved Christmas decorations and gifts. Bacon Butties as usual!
Should you have any preloved Christmas decorations and gifts you wish to part with, please bring them to Holy Trinity Church Monday to Thursday 09:00am to 12:00noon or to the Workshop at 5:00pm on Friday 29th November. All money raised will go to supporting St Michael’s beautiful Church.
Dates for December at St Michael’s
Sunday 14th December 3:00pm Carol Service followed by tea.
Sunday 7th December Advent 2- 9:30am Holy Communion
Sunday 21st December Advent 4 - 9:30am Holy Communion
Sunday 28th December Holy Innocents/Christmas 1-9.30am Holy Communion
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Dates for November at Holy Trinity
Sunday 2nd November 5:00pm Memorial Service in Holy Trinity. Tea will be served in the Workshop from 4:00pm On Sunday at 5pm at our Memorial service we will remember those who have been a large part of our lives who have nurtured and loved us. Invitations have been sent to those who have been recently bereaved but of course all are welcome.

Pizza Eaters Youth Group -Wednesday 12th November Christmas Treat
Meet at 6:30pm at The Bowling Alley, Ocean Plaza Southport. Parents are responsible for taking their and bringing them home. Contact Sylvia should you need any further information on 07872 31410.

Thursday 13th November 2:00pm A Police Security Officer will be speaking about how to protect yourself and Cyber-attacks, so will be a very interesting
meeting. So come along and bring a friend.

Sunday 16th November 10:30am Joint Toy service in Holy Trinity

Friday 27th November 2:00pm Ruth Howard Memorial Service in Church with light refreshments afterwards. All will be most welcome.

Friday 28th November - 8:00pm Sweet Friday Ladies evening in the Parish Hall.
Christmas Tales & Traditions. Come along to find out more about Christmas traditions and share your own family stories. Bring your friends and nibbles and drinks if you like. Tea, coffee and cake provided.

Sunday 30th November Wreathing Service rehearsal 3:00pm in Church (Children year 3 and upwards and older people), and at 2:00pm for the Nativity children, (years reception1 & 2) rehearsal.

The Wreathing Service is on 7th December at 3:00pm in Church.

Dates for December at Holy Trinity
Wednesday 3rd December 6:30 pm -8:00pm meet in Church to decorate the foyer Christmas tree. Year 6 and upwards welcome to join us. Contact Sylvia on 07872 314103

Friday 5th December 9:00am to 2:00pm

Wreath making for the Wreathing Service in the Parish Hall.
We need 18 volunteers’ please. As little or as much of the time you can spare would be great.
Contact Jan Outram on 07849 641277 if you can help.

Thank you to everyone who supported our MacMillan Coffee morning which raised £225 for the MacMillan Charity.

Saturday 6th December 9:00am -12:30pm

Big Christmas Sing-along in the Church with Maggie, Mandy & Friends of course. Fabulous social event to start Christmas off. Refreshments available including popular bacon butties. Amazing raffle prizes. What’s not to like? So come along and bring a friend. All money raised will be given to Queenscourt and Woodlands Hospices.

Sunday 7th December 3:00pm Wreathing Service

Monday 8th December 9:15am Tiddler Toddlers Christmas Celebration.

Sunday 14th December 6:30pm Prayer & Praise Evening Service

Saturday 20th December 2:00pm Blue Christmas Service for anyone who maybe on their own or sad at this Christmas time.

Sunday 21st December 6:30pm Evening Service with Carols followed by ‘soiree’!

Wednesday 24th December 10:00am Christingle Making in the Workshop.

11:30pm Midnight Communion

Christmas Day Thursday 25th December Christingle Service 10:30 followed by Communion

St Michael’s Thank you
We had a successful Harvest weekend. A big thank you to all our farmers and to Tesco who donated fresh produce and to everyone who helped decorate the church. More than £500 was raised for RABI (the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute) from selling the fresh food after our Harvest Evensong. Thanks also go to everyone who helped at the concert on Saturday evening.