sunday 6th september – fourteenth Sunday after TRINITY
8 am Said Eucharist
10 am 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 as self supporting Assistant Curate 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
Please pray for Father Paul and his family as they prepare for this new chapter in his ministry.
With my prayers,
Father Robert
Christian Aid Nepal Floods Appeal. Flash floods have swept through communities on the Nepal-Tibet border causing catastrophic devastation. Survivors urgently need critical support including food, water, shelter and sanitation. A bucket is provided at the back of church for your cash donations towards this appeal. Alternatively, online donations can be made directly to Christian Aid at https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies/nepal-floods-appeal where it is possible to Gift Aid your donation. Please donate generously.
Friday 4th September The CCA Bar will be serving complimentary cheese and snacks throughout the evening.
Tuesday 8th September at 7.30 pm: Bible Study returns. We will be covering the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew in a four-part series starting with an introduction at the first meeting. We gather at the back of the church. For more information, contact Simon Walkden via the office.
The office will be closed on Wednesday 9th and Friday 11th September whilst Caroline is on annual leave but the church will be open as usual.
Thursday 10th September at 12.30 pm: Said Eucharist.
Friday 11th September 10 am till 12 noon: Coffee and chat in church.
Friends of the Christ Church Garden: Future gardening dates – 12th September and 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.
further ahead
Sunday 13th September: Breakfast after the 8 am Eucharist. All welcome. This has been moved from the usual first Sunday in the month to coincide with Fr Paul presiding at the 8 am service for the final time.
Sunday 13th September: Fr Paul will celebrate his final services as Assistant Curate. Following the 10 am Sung Eucharist, there will be a reception in his honour. 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
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. 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 here and invite all your friends too.
Tuesday 15th September at 7 pm: Said Eucharist with Anointing and Laying on of Hands for Healing.
Tuesday 15th September at 8pm: PCC meeting in Church.
Wednesday 16th September: Copy is required for the October/November edition of the Spire. Please email Freya or Imogen with your articles or any queries.
The reading and serving rota request for October and November has been emailed to regular volunteers but if you would like to be more involved in the services, especially as a server but also as a reader or intercessor please consider joining the rota. Full training will be given. There are forms at the back of Church to complete with your availability, and return to the church office pigeon hole asap, but no later than Wednesday 16th September. Please feel free to contact any of the Clergy, Churchwardens or Caroline in the office if you would simply like to learn more about what it involves first, without committing yourself. Many thanks.
Wednesday 16th September at 7 pm: Licensing of the Rev’d Paul Ellerby as Assistant Curate by the Archdeacon of Hampstead during a Sung Eucharist. Followed by refreshments. Please RSVP to the office@christchurch-southgate.org by 14th September. St Michael’s Camden Town is located next door to Sainsbury’s on Camden Road NW1 9LQ, between Camden Town Underground and Camden Road Overground. There is no parking or drop off outside the church. Limited parking is available in residential roads to the south west of the church from 6:30 pm but do check restrictions.
Friday, September 18th: CCA will recommence Friday foodies with a Chinese snacks evening. There will be a nominal charge for the food.
Saturday 19th September 10 am – 4.00pm and Sunday 20th September 12.30 pm – 4.00pm: Open House London. We will be welcoming visitors with tours on the hour and craft activities for all. Refreshments will be available. A sign-up sheet for volunteers is available at the back of church.
Friday 25th September Coffee Morning: Due to a funeral taking place in church at 12 noon. Coffee morning will conclude at 11.15 am. Thank you for understanding.
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.
Saturday 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.
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! Price remains at £8 per jar! For those who are not so keen on honey, you could donate some money – there will be a donation box on the bee stand – with other bee related items for sale! To make the day even more fun & memorable everyone is invited to dress up/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.
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 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.
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.
