December and Christmas Xtra newsletter

Dear all

The darker evenings are now upon us and it is only just over a month till Christmas. Already if you go into many a shopping centre it feels like Christmas has already arrived. However,  we still have the season of Advent to come before Christmas! 
However you spend the coming days, may I wish you both a blessed Advent and a blessed Christmas for when it arrives.
Every good wish
Simon


The first thing to mention is our Christmas Fair which is this coming Saturday at the Church hall. Full details here

The next thing to mention is our Advent Carol service on Sunday 3rd December. Here are the details

                                                                          TRIO

At this point, may I thank you all for your responses with the Trio (The Responsibility Is Ours) campaign. If you have not yet had a watch of the video please click on this website to see the video and to access the forms.

Click HERE to be redirected to our Trio campaign website and to watch the video/access forms for giving


                  CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Before I mention anything else, here are the details of the Christmas services for 2017. It was so wonderful seeing so many people at our Christmas services in 2016 and if you are able to come to at least one or two of the services this year that would be great. 

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

CHILDREN'S CHRISTINGLE SERVICE
Saturday 16^th December starts 4pm, (45 minutes in length) – Christingle service in the church . Please bring a donation for the charity The Children’s Society. Led by Rev Simon Tillotson

CAROL SINGING UNDER THE YEW TREES
Wednesday 20^th December starts 7pm (45 minutes in length) – Carol singing outside the church with Whitstable Brass – wrap up warm and bring a torch, followed by mince pies and mulled wine and soft drinks in the hall. Please bring a donation for the homeless charity Catching Lives. Led by Rev Simon Tillotson

CHRISTMAS EVE CRIB SERVICES
Christmas Eve Crib Services (45 minutes in length). Two in a row with exactly the same content in each. Now at the new times of 3pm and 4.30pm to allow those arriving for the 4.30pm space to park.  Carols and fun for all ages. Led by Rev Simon Tillotson

CHRISTMAS EVE/CHRISTMAS DAY MIDNIGHT COMMUNION Christmas Eve Midnight Communion 11.15pm (1 hour 15 minutes). Ends early Christmas Day about 12.30am.
 Celebrant and preacher Rev Simon Tillotson

CHRISTMAS DAY
Christmas Day Communion services 
 Holy Communion (BCP) 8am (45 minutes) 
 Celebrant and preacher Rev Simon Tillotson

Sung Holy Communion 10am (1 hour 15 minutes) 
 Celebrant and preacher Rev Simon Tillotson
NB No Sunday Club this morning

Another important event in the life of the church is the Labryinth which Dr Martin Garsed will be running.

DECEMBER 9th - ALL SAINTS CHURCH - 12pm to 3pm

THE LABYRINTH

The labyrinth is an ancient symbol, metaphor and experience of prayer, holding, healing and renewal. It is one path, a journey into one's deeper self and into that which is beyond, God. This is an opportunity for spiritual renewal and encouragement on your journey. Do come and “walk the path“.

Everyone very welcome. Do email Dr Martin Garsed at berimart@gmail.com for more information

 

ALL SAINTS FILM CLUB

All Saints Film Club continues as usual. If you would like to see the programme for the Christmas period, when the focus is very much on musicals, please click HERE. Membership is £5 till the end of 2017 and then £10 for the whole of 2018. We also ask for £1 a week to cover the costs of refreshments. Just come along on Thursdays from 11.15am to find out more.

 HOLYBALLOO

Holyballoo also continues on Thursdays in November and up to the end of term. It is a children's club but parents are asked to supervise their children. Craft, refreshments, tea and coffee, games, and some Christian teaching. Let me (Simon) know if you are interested by emailing me HERE  or at tillotsons@gmail.com

MIDWEEK HEALING COMMUNION
Did you know that there is a mid week Holy Communion in the church on Thursdays from 10am to 10.45am every week at which prayer is offered for healing and wholeness. Please do come along if you would like to experience this quiet service for yourself.

SPECIAL PRAYERS

are requested as interviews take place in early December for the post of new Team Rector of Whitstable and Lead Minister of St Alphege Seasalter, a combined role.

50th BIRTHDAY

 I am very grateful to the Churchwardens who have offered to organise a drinks party on my 50th Birthday which will take place on Friday 29th December, the day of my Birthday. It will be from 5pm to 7pm in the church hall. There is no need to reply. Simply come along if you are free. Children most welcome too. You are all warmly invited. No gifts thank you. Just your company! Rev Simon Tillotson.

PLEASE REMEMBER - we are always on the look out for new choir members. This is for both our adult and junior choir. Please contact Victoria on 07780 827107 for more information.

Please come to our Churches Together Prayer Meeting this Monday

 

 Also, a reminder that Sacred Space meets on Tuesday 19th

NEWS FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS

3rd Whitstable (All Saints) Scout Group will be holding a Christmas Fair on Saturday 2^nd December, 11am to 2pm in the Scouts HQ to the rear of All Saints Church Hall. Admission is free and attractions include Tombola, Crafts, Games, Refreshments and our ‘Too good for the Jumble’ stall. Many of the stalls will be run by the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers themselves so please come along and give them your support.

 

Friends of Whitstable Hospital and Healthcare are holding a Christmas Coffee Morning on Dec 2nd 10.00am - 12.00 noon at the hospital.

Come and enjoy coffee and mince pies and support the work of the Friends.  There will be a raffle and stalls selling homemade cakes, Christmas cards, books and puzzles and gifts.

Gifts of raffle prizes and cakes for sale on the day will be very welcome.  If you can offer help in any other way please get in touch with me, Georgina Baker 01227 906307 or email georginabaker@aol.com

Dear Parish Priest, Reader, PCC Secretary, Pilgrim to the Holy Land, or simply Friend,

Please take a moment to read this; I think it is important !

The Amos Trust is holding a Carol Service in Canterbury on Thursday 7^th December at St Peter’s Methodist Church, St Peter’s Street, (continuation of the High Street).

For those of you who don't already know, Amos Trust is a small, creative human rights organisation, committed to challenging injustice, building hope and creating positive change.  Its three areas of work are among street children in South Africa, Burundi, India and Tanzania; building sustainable rural communities in Nicaragua and India; and working for a just peace for Palestine.

I began to work with Amos Trust through my own involvement in Israel and Palestine.

Every year Amos Trust holds an excellent Carol Service in London at St James's Piccadilly.  It is seeking to make this Carol Service more widely available, and is experimenting by ‘exporting’ it to Canterbury this year.

Thank you for reading this.  Thank you also for anything you will be doing to make the service widely known about.

Yours sincerely,

Bishop Richard Llewellin

 

Xtra for November 2017

Dear all

The November Xtra seems especially busy but this is typical of this time of the year. I do hope you enjoy reading about all the events. We have a number of important services coming up and I would appreciate your prayers for them. Thank you
Rev Simon Tillotson

PS I realise there are quite a few events coming up in December but to avoid saturating people with information I shall leave these till the December Xtra

ALL SAINTS PATRONAL FESTIVAL

Please note that the All Saints Patronal Festival will take place at 10am at All Saints on Sunday 29th October, followed by a soft drink or glass of wine in the church hall afterwards.This is the Sunday closest to All Saints Day which is 1st November. These days we normally celebrate All Saints on the Sunday closest to All Saints itself. It would be great if you can come to this special celebration of the life of All Saints as I preach on the subject of the Saints and as we have a party afterwards!

TRIO - THE RESPONSIBILITY IS OURS

If you possibly can, please come to our services on Sunday 5th November at 8am and 10am to hear about our financial situation and the challenges which the coming year have in store for us.

Also please remember to come to 

our Remembrance Sunday service on 12th November at 10am

HOLYBALLOO

Holyballoo is going from strength to strength. 17 children and 10 adults attended one session recently. This poster gives the dates for the period from now till Christmas though please note that 16th November is now not possible.

FIREWORKS!

BONFIRE AND FIREWORK NIGHT

Saturday 4th November
Gates open 6.15pm

All Saints Vicarage Garden

Tickets on sale on Sundays in the hall and other Sundays too (this is usually from about 11.15am). They are also available every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 11.30am from the Church office.

The Church office entrance is round the back of the Church hall

Ticket price

Adults £5.   Child £1 (3-15 years)

NO TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE GATE so please buy your tickets in advance.

Hot Dogs and drinks will be on sale.

It has been great to see how this event has grown over the years. There is a strong team of helpers but I am sure they would always appreciate an extra pair of hands so if you would like to help please contact me, Simon, and I will pass on your details. My email is tillotsons@gmail.com

CHRISTMAS FAYRE

Christmas Fair. Saturday 25th November. 10am- 1.30 pm.
           All Saints church hall. Come and join the fun.
           Books,crafts, cakes, raffle,Tombola,
           And lots more. Why not visit Santa in his grotto?  

VISIT FROM NEW ARCHDEACON

Our new Archdeacon of Canterbury The Ven Jo Kelly-Moore visited us and preached at All Saints on 15th October. You can hear her sermon on the All Saints website - www.allsaintswhitstable.com

MY FAVOURITE BIBLE PASSAGE

This interesting series continues.  On 22nd October, Dr Martin Garsed will be preaching about his favourite passage. He will be discussing the content of the sermon and any issues that come out of them with the congregation in the Thorpe Room after the service. 

Rev Tony Crowe will then be preaching on his favourite passage on 19th November and will be also discussing his sermon in the Thorpe Room after the service. Many of the previous sermons can be found on our website

www.allsaintswhitstable.com

ALL SOULS SERVICE

Also known as Service of Remembrance for the Dearly Departed

Our Annual Service for the Dearly Departed takes place at All Saints on Sunday 5th November at 6.30pm. This is the time we remember those who have passed away, either in the last year or in previous years. There is an opportunity to light a candle in memory of your loved one or loved ones as well. The service lasts about 45 minutes usually.

 A list is available at the back of church for you to put names of the departed in  but if it is more convenient please can you email me the name of the people you want remembered now to tillotsons@gmail.com. Thank you. It is helpful to know how many in your group will be attending the service so we have enough orders of service, if that is possible. 

CELTIC PILGRIMAGE 

 

In September I led a pilgrimage to Holy Island and Iona. You can now find out about the pilgrimage and hear talks delivered by David Cole on Holy Island by clicking on this link

CLICK HERE FOR REPORT OF PILGRIMAGE WEBSITE

UNITY UPDATE FOR NOVEMBER CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING HERE

EXCITING AND IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE WHITSTABLE TEAM PARISH

Your prayers please!

New Team Rector for Whitstable Team Ministry and Lead Minister for St Alphege Seasalter

Please pray for the process leading to this important appointment for the Team. Interviews for this post are due to take place in early December.

If you are interested in seeing the profile for the post and learning more about the Whitstable Team as a result ( it is a very educational document and well worth reading as a way of understanding more about the Team Churches of Whitstable) please click below and then click on Profile when you are on the page

CLICK HERE FOR TEAM RECTOR PROFILE AND DESCRIPTION OF WHITSTABLE TEAM MINISTRY

PARISH WEEKEND AWAY

23 - 25 March 2018

Judds Folly Hotel, Syndale Park, Near Faversham

The date for our Parish Weekend has been booked so please put this date in your diaries.

This is an opportunity for the WHOLE CHURCH FAMILY to enjoy a time away together.  Children very welcome.

The venue has been chosen so travelling time is minimal, lifts can be arranged.

 CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO JUDD'S FOLLY HOTEL  TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE HOTEL

Please do not contact the Hotel to book - Instead please contact me, Simon, for more information on tillotsons@gmail.com or 01227 272308

This weekend is for people who are regular churchgoers at All Saints and their partners/spouses.

CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION FORM IN WORD FORMAT

CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION FORM IN PDF FORMAT

Compline takes place usually on the Second Sunday of each month and November is no exception

LINK TO HOPE CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX APPEAL 2017

Interested in filling a shoebox for a needy family or elderly person this Christmas?

Link To Hope is a Christian, Sussex based charity which, among its different projects, takes Christmas shoeboxes to the needy in Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria and Ukraine.  It's a wonderful, fun and easy way to support those who are not as lucky as we are, and an outward expression of the true meaning of Christmas.

If you would like to do this, please take an explanatory leaflet from the back of church.  I will need to take the filled boxes to Bromley on Tuesday 7 November, so would need them to be given to me by Sunday 5 November please.  Thank you!

Jo Springthorpe

jo.springthorpe1@hotmail.com

COULD THIS BE YOU?

All Saints is looking for a HEALTH AND SAFETY CO-ORDINATOR to help implement the various policies that have come into place in the life of the national church in recent years and ensure our church buildings and grounds are safe places and that our procedures and practices are correctly followed. It is a voluntary role but very rewarding and interesting. Full training will be given. Not too onerous or time consuming. Please speak to the Vicar or Churchwardens for more information.

SACRED SPACE
Sacred Space is on Tuesday 14th November from 8pm to 9pm - do put the date in your diary!

NOTICES FROM INTER-CHURCH ORGANISATIONS, OTHER CHURCHES, AND SECULAR ORGANISATIONS

FROM THE DIOCESAN SECRETARY

Many of you will be aware of the upcoming Diocesan Day of Prayer, which is planned for 17/18 November. The Day of Prayer is an exceptional chance for all of us as a diocesan family, both in East Kent and the Channel Islands, to join together in prayer for the renewal of our communities. You are a key partner in this initiative and I would be grateful if you could encourage your community to engage as fully as possible in this special 24 hours of prayer. Everything you need to know is online here - and more resources will become available over the coming weeks (look out for details in the weekly Briefing email).

There are many ways to engage in the Day of Prayer, including a central event in Faversham on Saturday 18th November. If you’d like to come to that event please book Here.  Please note: The next scheduled Synod meeting will take place on Saturday 10 March 2018.

I hope that is helpful and please don't hesitate to contact Holly Adams (hadams@diocant.org) - or another member of the team at Diocesan House - if you have any questions about the Day of Prayer. 

Kind regards

Julian

FROM THE WHITSTABLE SCEPTICS The next meeting is on Tuesday 7th November, 7:30pm at the Whitstable Umbrella Centre. (Lower entrance) We are privileged to have Judith Large as our guest speaker on the subject ‘Rethinking Security: Human Rights in an Illiberal World’ Judith is a Senior Research Fellow at the Conflict Analysis Research Centre, University of Kent, and has worked internationally with civic and community groups, NGO’s, national governments and UN agencies. She brings nearly three decades practical experience in war and transition settings; particularly work for improved linkages between community/local and national levels for violence reduction and just outcomes after armed conflict. Her book Pushback: Sri Lanka’s Dance with Global Governance (Zed Books, 2016) is the product of engagement in Sri Lanka, which raises questions on the current climate of both international security and human rights.