2nd November 2025
By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 8 November 2025
Hello everyone,
Once again an early email so you can take in all the news about the many different events that are coming up, including the Online Light Party tomorrow (Friday 31st), as well as signing up, by emailing ianpullinger@btinternet.com if you like, to be in a Prayer Triplet or to help at the Christmas Fayre. More details of all these, and more, below.
LIGHT PARTY
Unfortunately we are not holding a Light Party at St Columba’s on 31st October, but there is the opportunity to join an ONLINE LIGHT PARTY organised by Spring Harvest and hosted by Martha Shrimpton (Head of Big Start at Spring Harvest). This will be available on the Spring Harvest YouTube channel on Friday 31st October:
https://essentialchristian.cmail19.com/t/r-l-tkgihud-budjtplrk-h/
They will explore how we can shine as light in our world during what can sometimes feel like a dark season. Why not join them – just click on the link above.
PRAYER TRIPLETS
We are encouraging everyone in the church family to join a PRAYER TRIPLET, that is a group of between 2 and 4 members, that meets, either in person or online, as frequently as the group decide, but who will be able to mutually support one another. When there is a need for increased support anyone can contact one of the Prayer Network Co-ordinators who will be able to mobilise prayer or practical help as necessary.
As a first step there is a sign up sheet in church, or you can simply email ianpullinger@btinternet.com, to indicate that you would like to join a PRAYER TRIPLET. If you know the people you would like to be with (some are already in such groups so you can write in their names) OR you can say you would like to be in a Triplet with others and ask to be linked up.
Linda mentioned something of her experience of being in such a group in a recent sermon and Sheila shared her experience of being in a Prayer Triplet last Sunday – do speak with them if you missed what they had to say. Praying together is a powerful way of supporting one another and the wider church, and we have certainly seen answers to prayer over the last year. If you don’t feel comfortable praying out loud you can still be in a triplet, sharing news for prayer and praying silently for the others.
Alongside this we are re-introducing PRAYER MINISTRY after Sunday morning services. Please listen out for news of when that will be available.
SUNDAY 2nd NOVEMBER
10.30am ALL AGE WORSHIP at St Columba’s with contributions for the children and, I understand, mention of “The Traitors” so do come along. The service will be available on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/BPhhe2FmcrE?feature=share
6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s.
ROMANS COURSE
The ROMANS COURSE has a break this week, partly so that people can enjoy the Fireworks! The morning and evening sessions will meet again on Wednesday 12th November. In the meantime don’t forget the “homework”, to read Romans chapter 8, one of the greatest chapters in the Bible.
SUNDAY 9th NOVEMBER
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with the TWO MINUTE SILENCE for REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY and a sermon reflecting on themes of Remembrance. There will be ENERGIZE groups for children and young people.
10.45am MORNING WORSHIP at St Leonard’s, Rockingham. Another service including the TWO MINUTE SILENCE for REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY, made more poignant because it happens around the War Memorial in Rockingham church, listing the men from the village who gave their lives in the two World Wars.
6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s.
CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Our Christmas Fayre is on Saturday 22nd November from 11am, that’s just three weeks away! Please can you:
Put the date in your diary and plan to be there
Sign up to help before (on Friday afternoon), during and after the Fayre – the more the merrier.
Make a donation for the Bottle Tombola or Book Stall or plan to bake a cake for the Cake Stall.
The Fayre is not only a means of raising money for the church but also, and perhaps more importantly, an opportunity for us to invite people who do not regularly come to church to meet with us. Some people come to the Fayre every year, but never to church, so please do support this special event.
PARISH GIVING SCHEME
People who use the Parish Giving Scheme will have had a couple of emails recently, first to advise that their website is closed, and should be up and running again any time now, and second that Direct Debits will now appear on bank statements as being from PGS rather than Parish Giving Scheme. Some banks have contacted customers to advise them of this change, which is an administrative exercise and you don’t need to take any action. If you have concerns please speak with Justin, our Treasurer, or myself, or phone PGS on 0333 002 1260 or email: info@parishgiving.org.uk.
CHARITY OF THE WEEK: ENVISION PROJECT, CORBY
We asked for suggestions of charities to support and Lydia McShefferty suggested the Envision Project. This Project provides medium term accommodation for people who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping. The Project aims to address barriers to long term housing and move residents into what they hope is their ‘forever’ home.
While staying with the Project individuals receive support tailored to their unique needs provided by staff and volunteers who help with:
• Managing debt and budgeting
• Accessing training, education, or employment opportunities
• Navigating the homelessness application and housing pathway
• Addressing physical and mental health concerns
• Developing everyday life skills like cooking, cleaning, and paying bills
• Connecting with addiction recovery networks and services
• Finding and furnishing suitable accommodation
Even after someone leaves their accommodation they continue to offer support to help their former residents maintain their new accommodation. The aim is to ensure that individuals not only find a place to live but are able to keep it, thrive in it, and feel secure in their future.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD – SHOEBOX APPEAL
You can help with the SHOEBOX APPEAL in one of three ways:
Pack a box – you can collect an empty box from church with a leaflet telling you what can and cannot go inside (see also the list below), then make sure you return it to church by Sunday 16th November.
Bring an Item – if you can’t manage to pack a whole box just bring an item or two to church and they can be added to others to pack a whole box. Items must be at church by Sunday 16th November and can be small toys, school supplies, personal care items BUT NOT toothpaste, sweets, lotions & liquids; used or damaged items; war-related items (e.g. toy guns, model soldiers, military vehicles); seeds, gum, chocolate or food items; religious or political literature; medicines, aerosol cans, knives, sharp or fragile items.
Donate to pack a box online by going to: https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/shoebox-online
When you pack a box you will be asked to pay £5 towards the cost of sending it to the destination and in addition contribute to “The Greatest Gift” a teaching programme for children who receive shoeboxes, telling them about Jesus. If you would like to see these books there are samples on the Shoebox table at the back of church.
HOPE FROM ABOVE
Following the visit of Tim and Carol Derbyshire a couple of weeks ago here is the latest Prayer Update from Hope From Above.
May God bless you all,
Ian
01536 400225
07903 644609