• PARISH OF AMERSHAM WITH COLESHILL

    28th APRIL 2024

     

    The Fifth Sunday of Easter (CW) and the Fourth Sunday after Easter (BCP)

     

    A Prayer for Israel and Palestine

    God of peace and compassion,
    We pray for all impacted by the escalation in conflict in Israel-Palestine
    For all who are mourning
    For all who are fearful, today, and for what may lie ahead
    For all traumatised and re-traumatised by what they have experienced.
    Enable us to stand in solidarity with people of peace
    May your Spirit bring peace and healing to your troubled world
    Amen

     

    A Prayer for Ukraine

    God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort will draw them near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the prince of Peace. Amen.

     

    Readings

    HC: Acts 8.26-end: 1 John 4.7-end: John 15.1-8

    MP: Psalm 44.16-end: Daniel 43.16-28: Hebrews 11.32-12.2

    EP: Isaiah 60.1-14: Revelation 3.1-13

     

     

    Collect for Fifth Sunday of Easter: 

  • Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant that, as by your grace going before us you put into our minds good desires, so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen

    Collect for Fourth Sunday after Easter (BCP): 

  • O Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto thy people that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord.  Amen

     

    CW and BCP Collects for 5th Sunday of Easter (CW) and 4th Sunday After Easter (BCP)

    Sunday 28th April 2024 5th Sunday of Easter

    8am BCP Holy Communion St Mary’s Amersham

    9am Matins on Zoom

    9am CW Holy Communion All Saints’ Coleshill

    10:30am CW Holy Communion with Holy Baptism St Mary’s Amersham  (Streamed from church)

    6pm BCP Evening Prayer St Mary’s Amersham (Streamed from church)

     

    For all access details see below.

     

    In addition, the clergy team will livestream a short time of evening prayer on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 6pm

     

    ANTHEM AND VOLUNTARY at St Mary’s Church:

    The Strife is O’er (Ley) & Piece Pour Grand Orgue (Jongen)

     

    YOUTUBE:Link for this Sunday:

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    THANK YOU:

  • After the APCM on Sunday, we would like to thank Petrina and Peter for all their commitment to the parish over the years as Church warden (Petrina) and assistant treasurer (Peter). They have worked so hard for both churches in a number of different ways that go beyond the roles mentioned above. Although they aren’t going anywhere, it is important for us to say a huge thank you for all they have done!
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    Three members of PCC stood down at our APCM after many years of service between them which we should also acknowledge thanks for. Thank you to Neta, Mel and Louise for all they have given as PCC members. We should also note a special thanks to Louise as she steps down from her role on the charitable giving committee – over the years Louise has facilitated the giving of thousands of pounds to our chosen charities which has no doubt helped many wonderful causes in their work and mission.

     

    APCM APPOINTMENTS:

  • We are pleased to say that our new church warden team consists of David, Val, Jane & Chris who were elected at our APCM last week. Whilst David, Val & Jane are continuing their roles from last year, Chris is standing for the first time. Many thanks to each of them for stepping forward as church wardens.

     

    EVENING PRAYER  SUNDAY 28th APRIL:

  • Instead of a service of Choral Evensong this Sunday at St Mary’s, the service will be a said BCP Evening Prayer. All welcome!
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    THANK YOU:

  • A huge thank you to you all. Having served the church for many years, in various roles, Peter and I decided that it was now the time to step aside for others to fill the roles we have held. We found the presentation of the generous gifts, on Sunday, very humbling. Whilst we will continue to worship in the Parish and will still be seen doing some small things, we would like to wish our successors all the best for the future. With love and blessings Petrina & Peter
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    PARISH FINANCES –

  • Thank you to all who have responded so generously after Graeme’s overview of the financial situation for us as a parish last Sunday. We have been overwhelmed by how so many have come forward to support the mission of the church. If you missed Graeme’s talk – it can be found at the following link: https://youtu.be/7ctC2yDNNwE?si=UxDydo84e2tFCNju

     

    DONATIONS TO ST MARY’S AND ALL SAINTS’

  • If you would like to make a donation or catch up with planned giving and have online banking the easiest way is to make a BACS payment – please contact the Parish Office to get the details.

     

    MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE RT REVD DR ALAN WILSON:

  • If you would like to watch the memorial service for Bishop Alan held last Saturday at All Saints’ High Wycombe, please see the link below:

    https://www.youtube.com/live/1oJO42dVsgQ?si=nEJoLN7Mg0VclmWf

    OPEN CONSULTATION FOR THE NEXT BISHOP OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE:

  • The Bishop of Oxford has said the following in relation to the appointment of the next Bishop of Buckinghamshire:

    ‘Please would you keep this appointment in your prayers in the coming months, both privately and publicly. We are together seeking the person whom God is calling to this vital ministry in the life of the diocese and the area.

    This letter begins the process of initial consultation. Please see this letter as your invitation to comment on the needs of the area and the diocese. Please email or write to me in the normal way (bishop.oxford@oxford.anglican.org) and indicate if your comments are confidential to me or can be shared at some point with the wider group. This initial consultation process will end on 30 April. I will also be holding a series of meetings with the Area Deans, separately with the Lay Chairs and holding a number of other face-to-face consultations in Buckingham shire to listen to reflections. By all means feed your own insights into the process through the Area Deans and Lay Chairs. We are all continuing both to grieve and adjust to Bishop Alan’s death and for that reason there will be a second consultation day to check back with colleagues on Monday 10 June.’

     

    RESTORE HOPE AMERSHAM

  • is a Christian charity which has recently purchased the former St John’s Methodist church in Amersham up the hill, for use as a community resource hub. In order to establish what the local community would find useful, they have begun a 6 month period of consultation. They generally provide useful life skills – anything from teaching young people to cook to preparation for the job market, to teaching older people the basics of computer use – but are anxious not to duplicate services provided elsewhere e.g. by local churches, or to draw up a programme of activities which are not actually needed! Please go to the attached link to find out more and to complete the survey to say what you think. Restore Hope Community Hub Kathryn Ridout in the St Mary’s congregation works with Restore Hope if you would like to know more details.

     

    ADVANCE NOTICE

  • Spring cleaning at St Mary’s will take place on 10th and 11th May, details to follow.

     

    PARISH FINANCES:

  • At the APCM, we will be reporting a £10,000 deficit. The parish has not been immune to the rising costs of some of the basic necessities. As many have found, the cost of gas has meant our heating bill has been a huge factor in our current financial situation. As a PCC, we ultimately felt we first and foremost needed to let the congregation know – as we haven’t usually been so open about parish finances. It is sometimes awkward to talk about money, but we felt that the congregation would want to know so they could support the parish if they felt it was right for them. Graeme, our parish treasurer, will be at the 9am All Saints’ and 10:30am St Mary’s to talk briefly about our  to give a bit more detail to the above. Please do be praying for God’s provision in our parish – as this is so important as we look to do more to reach out to the community. There will be much to celebrate at the APCM, and we want that to continue! If you have any queries about the parish finances please do speak to Graeme or Jonny.

     

    A PASTORAL CHAT

  • Do contact any of the clergy for a chat by phone, facetime or Zoom about anything that is concerning you. Time we have!

     

    HOW TO ACCESS CHURCH SERVICES

    SUNDAYS 9am Morning Prayer (BCP) Zoom: Please apply to Rev Tim Barnard for meeting joining details, see the contact list below.

    10.30am Holy Communion and Evening Prayers log in via the codes listed

     

    ANOTHER OPTION is to take part in streamed services from the Diocese of Oxford. Going to https://www.oxford.anglican.org/livestream/ will give you both the link to the streamed service and the download of the service order. The Eucharist can also be watched on demand.

     

    PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:

    For those who are sick: Roy Evans, Barbara Furse, Andrew James, Ellen Maulder.

    For your ongoing prayers at home: Pam Atkinson

  • For those that have died: John Allen

  • DIARY FOR APRIL

    Tuesday                     30th     1-3pm                        Mothers and Toddlers

    DIARY FOR MAY

    Thursday                       2nd    7.45-9.15pm             Bellringing

    Saturday                       4th    9.30am-1pm             Bellringing

NAMES AND ADDRESSES:
Rev’d Jonny Rapson Rector 01494 724426 rector@amershamwithcoleshill.org

Jonny’s day off is Friday – please only contact him then in an emergency.
Rev’d Tim Barnard Hon Associate Rector 01494 728478 timbar_uk@yahoo.co.uk

Tim’s days off are Tuesday and Thursday – please only contact him then in an emergency
Rev’d Sue Gill Hon Assoc Rector 01494 451485 susangill01@gmail.com
Rev’d Michelle Fotherby Assistant Curate 07973 921714  Michelle’s day off is Friday Michelle.fotherby@amershamwithcoleshill.org                              
Sheila Shield Reader 01494 571766 smshield@aol.com
David Skinner Churchwarden 01494 431652  mvf4312r@gmail.com
Valerie Simmonds: Churchwarden 01494 724693 valeriesimmonds@btinternet.com
Petrina Clackett Churchwarden 01494 433044    petrina.clackett@coleshill.net
Jane McNeilly: Churchwarden 01494 726736  janemcneilly@yahoo.com 
Graeme Coles Treasurer  07703 963990   Treasurer-pcc@outlook.com
Clare Atkinson Planned Giving – both churches: stmarysgiving@btinternet.com
Simon Hollett Children’s Worker – stmarysamershamkids@gmail.com 07926 575851
Steve Poulson Mission Partner 07783 506692 steve@streetkidsdirect.org.uk
Parish Office Dorothy Potter. Church St, Amersham. Bucks. HP7 0DB

01494 729380                        stmarys.amersham@btconnect.com
Safeguarding officers for the Parish

Clare Samuels:  07966 425206 clare@noiinclare.co.uk.
St Mary’s website:  www.stmaryschurchamersham.com
Coleshill website:  www.coleshill.org/village-life/all-saintschurch.html