sunday 27th september – seventeenth Sunday after TRINITY
8 am Said Eucharist
10 am Choral Eucharist
6.30 pm Choral Evensong
This Week
Message from Fr Paul
Thank you with all my heart for your love and generosity, expressed to me on my final Sunday, and throughout all of the four years of my time as Assistant Curate. The words you have written in the card expresses all of this love, together with large measures of thankfulness and good humour. Your beautiful gifts will ensure that I keep the people of Christ Church in my thoughts as I continue in ministry – and at some point soon I will take that break with TUI!
I was also very touched that so many of you travelled to Camden for my Licensing. The Bishop of Edmonton has now confirmed that I am eligible to take up a stipendiary (paid) role should I wish to do so. I will let you all know how this progresses when there is news. For now, Sundays will be as a Self Supporting Minister at St Michael’s Camden Town.
Thank you again and may God bless you richly,
Father Paul.
New Children’s Corner Co-ordinator starting Sunday 4th October
Erin is our new Children’s Corner Co-ordinator and below is her welcome message:
Hello everyone!
My name is Erin, and I’m so happy to be your Children’s Corner Co-ordinator. I’m really looking forward to getting to know each of you and creating a fun, welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable being themselves.
Together, we’ll explore wonderful Bible stories, learn more about God’s love, enjoy games and activities, get creative, and discover how we can show kindness, compassion and faith in our everyday lives.
To all of our parents and guardians, a very warm welcome to you too! Thank you for allowing us to be part of your children’s faith journey. We know how important it is for children to feel loved, encouraged and supported as they grow, and we hope to work alongside you to make church a positive and meaningful part of their week. We want every child to feel known, valued and excited to come along each Sunday.
I hope each Sunday is a time where our children can learn, grow, have fun and feel part of our Christ Church family. I’m very excited for all the adventures, memories and moments of faith we’ll share together!
The rota for October and November has been emailed out and there are copies at the back of church. Many thanks to everyone who volunteers at our services – we are very grateful for all that you do.
The October/November edition of The Spire has been sent out to subscribers and is available at the back of church or online via the newsletter and website. Copy for the December/January edition will be required by Wednesday 18th November. Please email Freya or Imogen with your articles or any queries.
Saturday 26th September 10.30 am: Parish Walk. The next walk is a local walk and goes through Arnos Park, follows part of Pymmes Brook trail and onto Oakhill Park ending at East Barnet for coffee/tea before we return. The walk in total is 5/6 miles. We will start at from the Parish Hall car park. Everybody most welcome. Hope to see you there. Jackie.
Sunday 27th September at 3.30 pm: A new season of Southgate Sessions begins featuring A10 Strings with Tom Hill on piano and on Sunday 11th October Claire Cole will perform an organ recital. All concerts are free and everyone is welcome to attend.
Sunday 27th September at 6.30 pm: Evensong. The choir will be singing canticles in B flat by Stanford and Elgar’s anthem, The Spirit of the Lord.
Monday 28th September 11 am – 1 pm: Community Connections Group in collaboration with A Seaward and Sons Funeral Directors, we are pleased to offer an additional coffee morning on the last Monday of each month. Come along for coffee, cake and conversation, and an opportunity to meet informally together as a community. The group is particularly aimed at those who have experienced bereavement, but everyone is welcome.
Thursday 1st October at 12.30 pm: Said Eucharist.
Friday 2nd October 10 am till 12 noon: Coffee and chat in church.
Friday 2nd October: The CCA bar will be serving complimentary cheese and snacks throughout the evening.
further ahead
Saturday 3rd October at 7 pm: Harvest Quiz. Tickets are selling fast and there are only a few places left on tables so please contact Clare or email office@christchurch-southgate.org asap to book your place. Tickets are £10 payable in advance or on the night. Please email finance@christchurch-southgate.org if you would like to pay by bank transfer. As usual we will need you to donate your ‘terrible gifts’ for the legendary raffle – please bring them to church by Sunday 27th September. A cash bar will be available on the night, please bring your own food and nibbles. All proceeds this year to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.
Sunday 4th October: Harvest Festival Honey Sale Our new nucleus of bees, which were installed in April, have been extremely prolific so we have lots of honey for sale! The price remains at £8 per jar. For those who are not so keen on honey, you are welcome to donate money in a box on the bee stand where there will be other bee related items for sale. To make the day even more fun and memorable everyone is invited to dress up or wear something Bee-related following the service! There will be a Pre-Order Honey Form for you to fill in at the back of church. Thank you for your support. Patricia Harper and the Bee Team.
Harvest Blessings As well as being our Harvest Festival, Sunday 4th October is also the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. If you usually bring your pet to church with you, or would like to for the first time, you are welcome to bring them forward for a blessing in the service. We shall also bless our bees at the end of the eucharist.
Tuesday 6th October at 7 pm: Said Eucharist with Anointing and Laying on of Hands for Healing.
Saturday 10th October 9.30am: Friends of the Christ Church Garden with the Hatters scouts. 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.
Saturday 10th October 9.30am – 12.30 pm. Autumn Church cleaning morning. If you prefer not to garden, please come and help to clean the church instead. It’s all hands to the deck please that Saturday! Sandra Anderson
Tuesday 13th October at 7.30 pm: Bible Study. We continue studying the Sermon on the Mount, this week focusing on Religious Practice and the Prophets in Matthew 6. We gather at the back of the church. For more information, contact Simon Walkden via the office.
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.
Informal Fellowship Lunch. Everyone is very welcome to stay after the lunchtime Said Eucharist on Thursdays to join in a ‘bring your own picnic’ lunch in church.
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.
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.
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.
