Church Newsletter Issue #111 30th August 2026
Grounded in Creation
After a good summer break, I am back from holiday feeling refreshed and grateful. One of the things that helped me to become grounded again was simply spending time on the riverbank with a fly rod.
There is something wonderfully attentive about fishing. Crouched among the wild mint, its aromatic scent rising whenever it was brushed, I found my senses slowing and sharpening. I began noticing again: the movement of fish beneath the surface, the flicker of fly life above the water, the changing current, light and breeze. It became less about catching something and more about being present within creation.
That seems a fitting place from which to enter the Church’s Season of Creation, which runs from 1 September to 4 October. It is a time when Christians across the world are encouraged to celebrate God as Creator, give thanks for the extraordinary gift of creation, and renew our calling to care for the earth.
Perhaps Creationtide invites us all to recover something of that deeper noticing: to slow down, pay attention and rediscover the world around us as gift.
This Sunday, our congregations come together for our 5th Sunday Benefice Service at St James' at 10.30am. There will be no other morning services. Together we will ground ourselves again in the solid ground of God’s love, celebrating Christ, through whom all things were made.
Revd Kausar will lead the service as I'm supporting a key moment in the life of St Margaret's this Sunday.
Revd Tom
Message from Mothers’ Union
1970’s Summer Fair Fundraiser update - our initial amount raised of £555 has been increased to a total £700 raised for the event. A huge thanks to everyone who joined us on the day, donated and contributed in any way; your generosity is fantastic.
To get closer to our fundraising target by the end of year, we're planning our next fundraising event:
COME DINE WITH US SUNDAY LUNCH
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Join us for a homemade 3-course meal, cooked and served at St Edmund’s by our Mothers Union members
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On a Sunday after the 10.30am church service (date to be confirmed)
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It will be reasonably priced with individual and family group tickets
We have some menu ideas, and we’d also like to know if you have suggestions of a favourite meal or dish that you would like to see on the menu so you can put your feet up one Sunday and let someone else do the cooking! Please message Deborah (07855 181941) or speak to any of the Mothers’ Union members at St James’ or St Edmund’s.
News from Marcio & Noemi – and Save the Date!
Our CMS mission partners Marcio and Noemi continue to share the hope of Jesus creatively through DuPark in Brazil, connecting with people beyond traditional church. Their latest news tells of art, prayer, hospitality and practical generosity: from an Easter experience centred on Jesus’ open table, to a new clothes stall helping families in need. They have also welcomed pioneer missionaries from across Latin America and encouraged churches to use their God-given talents creatively in mission. Please continue to pray for families struggling to find work, for new mission ideas to flourish, and for their work with teenagers and artists.
Save the weekend: 19–20 September! Marcio and Noemi will be visiting us. On Saturday, all are welcome to the Rectory garden for a fire-pit BBQ and bring-and-share meal – come ready to hear their news, pray and enjoy fellowship together. Bring warm clothes and blankets! On Sunday they will join St James’ morning service and Dwell at the Well in the afternoon.
More details nearer the time – but put the dates in your diary now!
Click here to read their latest CMS newsletter>>
St James Youth - 1st Sunday of the Month
On the first Sunday of each month, our morning service at St James includes a dedicated space for the young people in our congregation.
If you are aged 12–17, you are invited to step away from the main congregation for a practical, reflective and relatable time to explore faith together. It is a space to bring your questions, talk honestly, explore the Bible and think about how faith connects with everyday life.
We began in August, reflecting on the feeding of the five thousand in Matthew 14. Together we explored the wonderful reminder that we are enough, we are loved, and we can trust God to grow something significant from what we offer – even when it seems very small.
Our next gathering is on Sunday 6th September at 10.30am, when members of our clergy team will lead the session alongside the St James morning service.
Come ready to think, question, talk and discover together.
And, of course, there’ll always be cookies available… just sayin’!
Dwell @ The Well, between 1pm and 4pm, a place to bring a friend or yourself, stop for a bit or just long enough to have a coffee, some food and some gentle time with Jesus. Games, worship, prayer if you need, a time to go deeper in conversation or time to enjoy fellowship and connection.
Next gatherings August 16th and then September 6th.
What's on at a Glance
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Readings: Exodus 1.8, 2.10, Psalm 124, Matthew 16. 13-20
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9.30am - NO EARLY SERVICE at St Edmund's
10.30am - Our special 5th Sunday joint service at St James' - NO SERVICE at St Edmund's |
Monday
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Bank holiday - no Prayer meeting at St Edmund's
Tuesday
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Morning Prayer - 9.30am at St James'
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Place of Welcome - 10am at St James'
Wednesday
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St Edmund's Coffee Morning / Place of Welcome
We will be meeting in the Coffee Lounge at St Edmund's from 10.30 to 12.00 every Wednesday morning for chat and hot/cold drinks. Any special events will be advertised in advance. There will be a clergy-led Bible Study once a month starting from October. If anyone needs a lift please speak to Chris or Janet.
We will be starting on Wednesday 2 September and look forward to seeing our usual members and hopefully some new ones.
Thursday
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Grieving Together Cafe - finished for the summer
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The Chosen - Back at St Edmund's at 7.30pm as we watch the first episode of Season 5 of The Chosen.
Friday
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Happy Cats toddler group meets Friday mornings at St Edmund's from 10am.
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Readings: Exodus 12.1-14, Psalm 149, Matthew 18. 15-20.
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9.30am - Short 20-30min Service of the Word at St Edmund's
10.30am - Communion at St Edmund's and Service of the Word at St James'
4pm - Grace Community |
Advance Dates
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CMS Brazil Mission Partners Weekend - 19th -20th September - see above
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Dwell at the Well - September 6th
Service Rotas- Rota is complete until 13th Sept.
To get involved in our services and offer yourself to read or lead prayers in church click on the new Sept 2026-Jan 2027 DRAFT rota links below and fill in the availability forms at the bottom. Revd Kausarer will work with the team to help finalise the rota at the start of September. Please be aware this is a draft copy so there are blanks that are being populated.
Links to:
St Edmund's Next Rota - Sept 26-Jan 27>>
St James' Next Rota - Sept 26 - Jan 27>>