A warm welcome to you on this All Saints Day. Please do join us after the service to share in a cup of tea or coffee. All ages are welcome at St. Mary’s, children included. There is also a crèche in the Octagon for the very young if you need it. If this is your first time with us, please do fill in the slip at the end of the newsletter, so that we can keep in touch with you. St Mary’s is fitted with a hearing loop system. Members of the congregation who have a hearing aid with a ‘T’ switch will find that they can hear better when it is switched to ‘T’.

Remembrance Sunday - 14th November
Please Note: On Remembrance Sunday we will be starting the service at the slightly earlier time of 9.50am in order that we are ready in good time for the Act of Remembrance at 11am.

Children’s Society Boxes
If you have a Children’s Society Box please could you bring it to Church by Next Sunday so that I can get them counted and the money sent of to the Children’s Society. Many Thanks. Audrey Cutrits

Coffee Club
The Coffee Club meets next on Wed 10th Nov at 10.45am. Cost £1. All welcome

Christmas Activity Morning/Crib Service
On Tuesday 21st December 2010 we will be holding a Crib Service & Activity morning for children and their guardians. If you wish to be involved in this outreach opportunity, playing with glitter and re-telling the Christmas Story we are holding a planning meeting on Sunday 21st November after the 10am service.

Bereavement Service
Our Bereavement Service will be held next Sun 7th Nov at 3.30pm. If you would like a name added onto the list please let Malcolm or Stella know or drop a note into Sue in the office. We usually remember folk who have died in the last 2 years automatically.

Christian Aid Market - Saturday 20th November
Market Stalls will be held at Methodist Central Hall from 10.30am - 2 pm to raise money for Christian Aid. Admission 20p. All welcome.

2011 Census
CAPITA the Census Research Team are looking to recruit over 35,000 temporary part time and full time vacancies to help make the census a success. If anyone is interested in helping with this Census please visit their dedicated recruitment site: www.censusjobs.co.uk Some roles will take place this year, with more vacancies becoming available next year.

Thank you
I would like to say a big thank you to Jean Hudson and Margaret Oakley for giving the kitchen a really good spring clean which was badly needed, it certainly gleams now. Could all users of the kitchen please support what they have done by keeping it clean and tidy. Thank you. Barbara

Wednesday Study Groups
The Wednesday morning and evening study groups meet next Wednesday (3rd November) at 10.30 am and 7.30 pm respectively - both at church.

Christmas Services
It may seem a little early to be thinking about services at Christmas but PCC would like to hear what level of services people would like over the Christmas period. To this end, could you please complete the survey form with this newsletter and place in the box in the Centre. Thank you. (Sorry the form was not available last week!)

Christmas Fayre - Saturday 27th November - 10 - 2 pm
Please be thinking of things you may be able to donate for sale on the day. Cakes and home made produce always sells very well. If you are able to help with that, please be thinking of it now! Other things we need are bottles for the bottle stall (it does not have to be alcohol!), prizes for the tombola stall, books, CD’s and DVD’s and really anything you can think of. However, no electrical equipment please. Bric a Brac and Nearly New items can be brought in from 12th November 2010.

Contemplative Prayer Group
Hosted by Owen and Sally in their home, this group will meet every second Friday of the month starting 12th November. This is not for experts - learners very welcome.

Home for Christmas
Are you spending Christmas at home this year? Would you consider including an international student from a university in the UK in your plans? There are so many students here from China, India, and many other countries, who are unable to go back at Christmas. They would love to spend two or three days in a real home, rather than an empty hall of residence. Your link with a student will be arranged by one of HOST’s voluntary organisers, who do their best to match hosts and guests who will enjoy one another’s company. Host is a long established national charity. If you would like to know more about volunteering as a host, please see www.hostuk.org or call Lyn Thursfield on 0121 353 1157

All Saints’ Day

Collect: God of holiness, your glory is proclaimed in every age: as we rejoice in the faith of your saints, inspire us to follow their example with boldness and joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

First Reading: Daniel 7. 1-3, 15-18 Karen French

Second Reading: Ephesians 1. 11-end Mark Wakefield

Gospel Reading: Luke 6. 20-31 Lorraine Baker

Intercessor: Tony Thistlewood

Hymns: 560 231 368 227 508

Post Communion Prayer: God, the source of all holiness and giver of all good things: may we who have shared at this table as strangers and pilgrims here on earth be welcomed with all your saints to the heavenly feast on the day of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This week beginning 31st October 2010

This Sunday

8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Communion, Junior Church & Lazers
12 noon Baptism
6.30 pm Evening Prayer
Monday 9 am Morning Prayer
7 pm Parish Office
Tuesday 9 am Morning Prayer
7 pm Standing Committee
Wednesday 10 am Holy Communion
10.30 am Wednesday Group - Church
7.30 pm Wednesday Group - Church
Thursday 9 am Morning Prayer
Saturday 9.30 am Morning Prayer

Sunday 7th November

8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Communion, Junior Church and Lazers
12 noon Baptisms
6.30 pm Evening Prayer