St. Mary’s, Stoke D’Abernon

Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

6th September 2020

A Message from our Rector

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A coalition of churches and charities, particularly Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have launched a campaign, Climate Sunday, as part of a call for action on climate change. Starting from 6 September, churches will be encouraged to have a Sunday devoted to the theme of climate change at any time during the following 12 months. In St Mary’s we will be marking this Sunday as Climate Sunday. The Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, the C of E’s lead bishop on environmental issues, said: “Although our focus has been shifted from climate change in recent months by the challenges of responding to Covid-19 the climate crisis has not gone away, and the driest May since records began is a timely reminder of this. “Climate Sunday will be a brilliant resource to help Church of England parishes understand and respond to the climate crisis. As we work out the action we need to take to cut our carbon emissions every year to reach net zero emissions by 2030, Climate Sunday will motivate, encourage, and inspire our churches to keep going on this journey.” The Bishop is right. We all have a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint in order that we can contribute to environmental salvation. In the Creation story in Genesis 1:31 we read that, “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.” Sadly, it is not so good now and we are to blame. Let us do what we can to halt the decline in our environment. A Kenyan proverb sums up the importance of our role as stewards for future generation by reminding us to “Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.” Thoughts and Prayers Godfrey

Bible References

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Hyperlinks to Guildford Cathedral Services : https://www.guildford-cathedral.org/worship/services Note: The Guildford Cathedral service at 9.45 on Sunday will include singing of hymns and a setting of the Eucharist by Andrea Gabrieli all sung by the Guildford Chamber Choir. A day or two before the broadcast you will find links to both the YouTude video and an order of service via this link: https://www.guildford-cathedral.org/events/diary/2020-09-06/The-Cathedral-Eucharist-06-09-20

Year A Psalm First reading Second reading Gospel

Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity September 6th, 2020 ‘Climate Sunday’

Psalm 149

Genesis 1 24-28

Romans 13:8-14

Matthew 18:15-20

Monday, September 7th

Psalm 121 Exodus 12:14-28

1 Peter 2:11-17

Tuesday, September 8th

Psalm 121 Exodus 12:29-42

Romans 13:1-7

Wednesday, September 9th

Psalm 121 Exodus 13:1-10 Matthew 21:18-22

Thursday, September 10th

Psalm 114 Exodus 13:17-22

1 John 3:11-16

Friday, September 11th

Psalm 114 Exodus 14:1-18 Acts 7:9-16

Saturday, September 12th

Psalm 114 Exodus 15:19-21

Matthew 6:7-15

Collect

Passover

Saint Peter and Paul parish church: Stained glass window ( 1880 ) showing the sacrifice of Passover during the plagues of Egypt http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=55441

Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Parish Notices

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Sunday Services at St. Mary’s In order to assist us in observing social distancing guidelines and avoid the potential disappointment of being refused entry we ask all worshippers who wish to attend services to continue to notify the Parish office, either by telephone on 01932 866005 or by email at: admin@stmarysstokedabernon.org.uk Please bring a face mask with you to wear in church

Monthly Concerts We are delighted to resume our St. Mary’s mid- week lunchtime concert programme with an organ recital in church given by Oliver MacFarlane at 1pm on Thursday 24th September This is our first concert since lockdown. Regrettably we will not be able to provide pre recital refreshments. There will be a Retiring Collection at the end of the performance As with current church services, in order to preserve social distancing guidelines. audience numbers will be limited. Intending attendees must therefore pre register with our parish office admin@stmarysstokedabernon.org.uk

Hall Opening The Church Hall is again for regular bookings with effect from 1st September. Other hall bookings may be permitted subject to review on a case by case basis. Our Terms and Conditions of letting have been adapted to reflect Social Distancing and other current Government Covid-19 health protection measures. These Ts &Cs are available on the Website or upon application from the Parish Administrator. All applications for hall lettings should be submitted to the Parish Administrator in the usual way. Email. admin@stmarysstokedabernon.org.uk Tel. 01932 866005

APCM A reminder that the re-scheduled date for the 2019 APCM is Sunday 18th October. Meeting to be held in the Church Hall to follow the 10:00 Parish Communion service.

Parish Notices - continued

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• EBC Press Release: Love Elmbridge – Love Independent Retailers

This September Elmbridge Borough Council will once again celebrate the best of the best independent retailers in the borough with our 2020 Independent Retailer Awards. This year’s awards are even more special as we give thanks to all those businesses who adapted their operation during lockdown to ensure they were available for their local community and reward those businesses that have worked tirelessly to re-open safely after lockdown. We want to honour those businesses that provided their produce to customers when the supermarkets were difficult to access, those businesses that donated to local foodbanks and those who during the pandemic went above and beyond. To recognise these businesses that went the extra mile for their community we are introducing a new local high street heroes category alongside our usual awards with one overall winner voted the Elmbridge Independent Retailer of the Year for 2020. Councillor Christine Elmer, Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Community Development said, “These awards are always an important part of our work to support and promote our independent retailers and high streets but this year they have added significance as our independent retailers have proven themselves during the pandemic to be a central part of our local community. I want to thank everyone who supported residents during the lockdown and who adapted and worked so hard to get ready for the safe reopening of our high streets. “As residents we can show our support by shopping locally whenever we can to support our high streets and independents. Please do vote in our awards for your favourite local independent – the businesses really do value the recognition and I urge everyone to continue to shop, eat and play local this Autumn and beyond.” All the details for voting are on our website: (elmbridge.gov.uk/retailerawards) and you have until 30 September to nominate your local independent retailer champions. Get voting! Your local independent retailer needs you!