sunday 2ND aUGUST – NINth Sunday after TRINITY
8 am Said Eucharist
10 am Congregational Sung Eucharist
6.30 pm Said Evensong
This Week
NEWS FROM FATHER PAUL
Dear Friends,
As you are aware, Father Paul, our Assistant Curate, has successfully completed the requirements of his Initial Ministerial Education and has been duly signed off by Bishop Anderson. On Sunday 26th July it was announced that that Fr Paul has accepted an invitation from Bishop Anderson to take up a new ministry in Camden Town.
Father Paul writes:
“When my curacy was signed off by +Anderson, I made him aware that during my discernment for ordained ministry, I felt called ‘to be useful to the Edmonton area’. Since then, the Bishop has been discerning where I might be useful and he has invited me to provide cover at St Michael’s, Camden as they enter a period of vacancy. Before I came to faith on 23 July 1990, I spent many years around Camden. I worked at the HQ of Thomson Holidays (now TUI) which was based at Mornington Crescent and I also worked in the evenings in the cafes, bars and clubs in Camden. My faith journey actually began on the High Barnet branch platform of Camden Station – so I am very excited to be called back to Camden. During my time at Christ Church, you have shown me love and generosity and also given me much encouragement. I am going to miss all of this and all of you. As this current season draws to a close, I will be sad not to be a part of weekly life at Christ Church but you have helped to form me as a priest and for that I am full of thankfulness.”
Fr Paul has become a much-loved priest in this parish, and he will be greatly missed. Since 2022, he has prayed for us and with us, preached God’s word with wisdom and grace, exercised a compassionate pastoral ministry, and faithfully served at the altar. We have much to be grateful for, and his many gifts have helped to strengthen and enrich the life of this community over the past four years.
We are proud of Father Paul for completing his curacy and training for ministry, and even more so that the Bishop has invited him to take up a new ministry and challenge. As he takes up his new role at St Michael and All Angels, Camden, he will cease to serve as our Assistant Curate, in accordance with the usual practice for curates who have completed their training. However, I have invited Father Paul to remain an Honorary Assistant Priest of the parish, should he ever wish to return and minister among us in the future.
Fr Paul’s final services as Assistant Curate will be on Sunday 13th September. Following the 10 am Sung Eucharist, there will also be reception in his honour. We plan to bid him farewell at our Harvest Quiz Night on Saturday 3rd October.
Following the 10 am Sung Eucharist, there will also be reception in his honour. Fr Paul’s final services as Assistant Curate will be on Sunday 13th September. We plan to bid him farewell at our Harvest Quiz Night on Saturday 3rd October. If you wish to contribute toward a collection for Fr Paul, cash donations can be made to the churchwardens or to Clare, or you can donate online here: https://app.collectionpot.com/pot/3535662
Please pray for Father Paul and his family as they prepare for this new chapter in his ministry.
With my prayers,
Father Robert
Fr Robert is now on leave for his summer break and will return on Monday 17th August. In his absence Fr Paul, Rev’d Hazel and the churchwardens will be on hand to support everyone as usual.
The Paschal Candle
You will notice that the Paschal Candle has been moved – or rather, returned – to stand before the Font. It is the tradition of the Western Church, of which the Church of England is a part, that the Paschal Candle takes pride of place by the Font as a sign of new life – the Font and Candle are intrinsically linked. By the Font, the Paschal Candle offers a sense of intention and sacredness to the west end of the church: the place of welcome and new beginnings. It is customary for the Paschal Candle to stand in the sanctuary by the Altar only during the weeks of Easter, signifying the light of Christ in the Holy of Holies, and that, through the death and resurrection of our Lord, the barrier between life and death, judgement and redemption, has been removed. From now on, the Paschal Candle will stand by the Font for the majority of the liturgical year as a reminder to all who enter the church that they are worthy, welcome, and wonderful in the eyes of God and this community.
Thank you from North London Hospice The North London Hospice have written to express their thanks for the donation of £850 from the Social Responsibility Committee. These funds were raised from the proceeds of the church stalls and coffee donations. Thank you to the SRC for their organisation, and to those who contributed funds from January to June. Funds for the remainder of the year will be donated to The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre.
Sunday 2nd August: Breakfast after the 8 am Eucharist. All welcome.
The CCA Bar will be closed from Sunday 2nd to Sunday 30th August inclusive and will re-open on Wednesday 2nd September. Complimentary cheese will be provided on Friday 4th September.
Tuesday 4th August at 7 pm: Said Eucharist with Anointing and Laying on of Hands for Healing.
Thursday 6th August at 12.30 pm: Said Eucharist. Everyone is very welcome to stay after the lunchtime Said Eucharist on Thursdays to join in a ‘bring your own picnic’ fellowship lunch in church.
Friday 7th August 10 am till 12 noon: Coffee and chat in church.
further ahead
Friends of the Christ Church Garden: Future gardening dates – Saturdays 15th August, 12th September, 10th October (with the Hatters scouts), at 9.30am. Come and help care for God’s creation, relax and have fun. No gardening experience necessary. We are also looking for additional garden tools to make our gardening mornings as efficient as possible and before purchasing new items, we are asking for donations of any unwanted garden equipment. We would be so grateful. Please speak to Sandra, Richard Godfrey or Graham before donating. Many thanks. Sandra Anderson. Mob: 07947 027265.
The choir is now on its summer break and will return on Sunday 6th September.
Bible Study has now finished for the summer and will return on Tuesday 8th September.
Sunday 13th September from 4 pm: Come and Sing Choral Evensong. We are delighted to invite enthusiastic singers to join us for a Come and Sing Choral Evensong on Sunday 13 September. The music will include: Rheinberger – Abendlied, Smith – Responses, Stanford – Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in C and Brahms – How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings from Ein Deutsches Requiem. The afternoon will begin with a rehearsal at 4.00 pm, followed by refreshments at 5.45 pm, before Choral Evensong at 6.30 pm. All singers are warmly welcome, whether you sing regularly with a choir or would simply enjoy taking part in this special service. Please register at https://forms.gle/qz9R9xVpR1U7auGU8, and invite all your friends too.
The August/September edition of The Spire
OpenSaturday 3rd October at 7 pm: Harvest Quiz. Save the date. Tables of 8 will be available at £10 per head, payable in advance or on the night. Please see Clare or email office@christchurch-southgate.org to reserve your seats. As usual we will need you to donate your ‘terrible gifts’ for the legendary raffle – please bring them to church closer to the time. Please also bring your own food and nibbles on the night. A cash bar will be available. All proceeds this year to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.
Saturday 17th October Edwardtide Pilgrimage at Westminster Abbey Join us for a parish pilgrimage to the shrine of St Edward at Westminster Abbey. We will travel together by Tube, making this a wonderful opportunity for fellowship as well as worship and pilgrimage. If you would like to come, please add your name to the sign-up sheet at the back of the church. Further details about meeting time and travel arrangements will be shared with those who sign up. Everyone is warmly welcome!
Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October: note for diary. The choir will be singing services in York Minster.
Sunday 24th January 2027: Parish Confirmation Our annual Parish Confirmation will take place on Sunday 24th January, when the Bishop of Edmonton will be with us to confirm candidates. If you are thinking about being confirmed, we would be delighted to hear from you. The minimum age for candidates is 9 years old (Year 5), and there is no upper age limit! Confirmation is a wonderful step in the Christian life at any age. Age appropriate Confirmation preparation will be offered for all candidates throughout November and January, helping everyone to explore the Christian faith and prepare for this important occasion. If you are interested in being confirmed, or would simply like to find out more, please speak to the Vicar.
The Weld Car Park. The Trustees of Walker Ground have advised us that the car park will remain closed for the foreseeable due to the problem of anti-social behaviour and until they can decide a way forward. The Parish Centre car park is still available as usual for all services.
Pastoral Care Group. The pastoral care group meets the needs and serves those who would benefit from additional support. Contact: Jackie Anderson or Hilary Meur.
Food Bank Collection. We are always happy to collect non-perishable food and other items for a local foodbank for which they are very grateful. The collection point is just inside the door at the back of church to the left. At present they are in need of: tinned fish/meat, cooking oil, tinned tomatoes, cereal, jam, honey, tea, sugar, rice, spaghetti, shower gel, shampoo and nappies.
Giving to Christ Church: Thank you! We would like to thank everyone who responded positively to the stewardship campaign, it really is much appreciated. If you give regularly, or you are planning to start giving regularly, please can we encourage you to sign up to The Parish Giving Scheme.
On paper – use a form available at the back of church; by phone – call 0333 002 1271 and quote our parish code 230623352; online – use the following link https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/southgate-christ-church-london/ or scan the QR code below on your smartphone or tablet.
