Month: December 2018

As Fr Paul is off duty this week , the Bulletin and News for Jan 6th is published early.

January 6th is the Feast of the Epiphany and Blessing of Chalk. Today we offer a Parish Eucharist at 11:00am followed by coffee.

We invite you to adopt the custom of Blessing your home. The family gathers to ask God’s blessing on their home and on those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.

A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk to write above the home’s entrance, 20 + C + M + B + 19. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus Mansionem Benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross and 2019 is the year.

Blessing the Chalk

V. Our help is the name of the Lord:

R. The maker of heaven and earth.

V. The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in:

R. From this time forth for evermore.

Let us pray.

Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name that we who use it in faith to write upon the door of our home the names of your holy ones Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit our home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Using the blessed chalk mark the lintel of your front door (or front porch step) as follows:

20 + C + M + B + 16 while saying: The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and fifteen years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.

Joint Churchwardens Meeting at The Vicarage on January 16th at 2-30pm.

Sunday January 20th is the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Our friends from Kirton Methodist Church will be joining with us on this day at 11:00am.

Kirton PCC meet on January 22nd in The Vicarage at 7:00PM.

February 3rd is the Festival of Candlemass. On this Sunday all the Churches of the group are invited to join with us at Kirton at 11:00am for a special Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple also with the reception of four young people who will make their 1st Holy Communion. These young people have been working hard for months on a course entitled “Welcome to the Lord’s Table”. Please do your best to support these young people in their life of faith.

The Kirton Group of Churches
Parish Church of SS Peter & Paul, Kirton in Holland.
SS Peter & Paul, Algarkirk
All Saints, Fosdyke.

Vicarage telephone number is 01205 624128.

Sunday December 30th First Sunday of Christmas.
8:00am Holy Eucharist at Kirton. 11:00am Benefice Eucharist at Fosdyke. Algarkirk Church remains closed due to dry rot removal and chemical treatment.

Fr Paul and Maggie, Fr Alan and Reverend Doreen extend our special thanks to you all in the three Churches for your support over the Christmas festival and we all wish you a very happy New Year.

Fr Paul is off duty from today until January 5th. Kirton Church opening hours will vary this week, but it will close each day at 3:00pm. Fr Alan will celebrate the 9-30am Eucharist on Thursday January 3rd.

NEXT SUNDAY IS THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY JANUARY 6TH. Solemn Mass with Incense at Kirton at 11:00am. The Blessing of the Chalk for our home blessings will take place in this service. 20+M+C+B+19.

Joint Wardens Meeting at The Vicarage on 16th January at 2:30PM
Please join us at Kirton Church on January 20th for a United Eucharist with the Methodist Church as we begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

As Algarkirk Parish Church is still closed for major works, please join us at Kirton or Fosdyke this Christmas for Worship.
CHRISTMAS EVE December 24th 1st Mass of Christmas at All Saints in Fosdyke at 9:00PM
11:30PM Midnight Mass at SS Peter & Paul in Kirton.
CHRISTMAS DAY
10:00AM Family Eucharist at Kirton
Dec 26th Boxing Day – The Feast of St Stephen – Holy Eucharist at 9-30am at Kirton
Dec 27th The Feast of St John the Evangelist. Holy Eucharist at 9-30am at Kirton
Dec 28th The Feast of the Holy Innocents. Holy Eucharist at 9-30am at Kirton
December 30th Sunday after Christmas 8am Holy Eucharist at Kirton.

This is the last Sunday of Advent 2018 – December 23rd is the 4th Sunday of Advent. Parish Eucharist at SS peter & Paul in Kirton at 11:00AM

On this the last Sunday before Christmas, our Gospel reading prepares us to witness Christ’s birth by showing us how Jesus was recognized as Israel’s long-awaited Messiah even before his birth. The Gospel turns our attention from the ministry of John the Baptist to the events that preceded John the Baptist’s birth. The story of John the Baptist and his parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, are reported only in Luke’s Gospel. Luke pairs the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus, establishing John’s early connection to the Messiah.

It is appropriate in this season of Advent that we consider the role of Mary in God’s plan of salvation. Elizabeth describes Mary as the first disciple, as the one who believed that God’s word to her would be fulfilled. Mary’s faith enabled her to recognize the work of God in her people’s history and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to everyone. Because of this, Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God’s plan for salvation.

YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT TO YOUR CHURCH – Have you considered giving a Christmas gift to your Parish Church? There are special Gift envelopes which allow you to make a gift, small or large, to assist your Church to do its work within the community, to help maintain the fabric, and spread the Good News about Jesus across Kirton. Can you help us?

CHRISTMAS SERVICES 2018

Christmas Eve December 24th

A Special Family Crib Service at 4:00pm at Kirton. The Christmas Story told in Chocolate!

The First Mass of Christmas Midnight.

All Saints in Fosdyke at 9:00pm

SS Peter & Paul in Kirton. Service begins at 11:30pm.

Christmas Day December 25th

Christmas Day Eucharist for all the family at 10:00am in Kirton

All the following servioces at Kirton

Dec 26th Boxing Day – The Feast of St Stephen – Holy Eucharist at 9-30am

Dec 27th The Feast of St John the Evangelist. Holy Eucharist at 9-30am

Dec 28th The Feast of the Holy Innocents. Holy Eucharist at 9-30am.

December 30th Sunday after Christmas 8am Holy Eucharist at Kirton.

Benefice Eucharist at Fosdyke at 11:00am followed by refreshments.

This Sunday – December 16th is the 3rd Sunday of Advent. Also known as Gaudete Sunday. John the Baptist is often thought of as a stern, grim figure. But as a matter of fact, he could be the patron saint of joy! Maybe that’s why he is the focal point of the gospel for Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. Joy comes only through humility and repentance.

On the third Sunday of Advent, the penitential purple of the season changes to rose and we celebrate “Gaudete” or “Rejoice!” Sunday. “Shout for joy, daughter of Sion” says Zephaniah. “Draw water joyfully from the font of salvation,” says Isaiah. “Rejoice in the Lord always,” says St. Paul. “Do penance for the judge is coming,” says John the Baptist. Believe it or not, John the Baptist is the patron saint of spiritual joy. After all, he leapt for joy in his mother’s womb at the presence of Jesus and Mary (Luke 1:44). And it says that he rejoices to hear the bridegrooms voice (John 3:29-30).
Tonight at 6:00pm why not join us at All Saints Church in Fosdyke for a traditional Festival of Lessons and Carols followed by light refreshments.

December 18th Kirton Village Carol Sing. Join the Churches for a Village Carol sing – meet at the Methodist Church for 6-30pm. Also on this day we welcome Thomas Middlecott Academy for their Christmas Carols Services at 2:15pm and at 6:30pm.
On Thursday 20th December we welcome Kirton Junior School for their Carol Service at 2:15pm.

December 21st at 7:00pm “The Longest Night” – on this night we offer a very simple but special time of worship and fellowship for all those people who find this festive time of the year stressful and difficult. Why not join us for a time of simple reflection and prayer and fellowship on the longest night of the year.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES 2018
Christmas Eve December 24th
A Special Family Crib Service at 4:00pm. The Christmas Story told in Chocolate!
The First Mass of Christmas Midnight.
Service begins at 11:30pm.
Christmas Day December 25th
Christmas Day Eucharist for all the family at 10:00am

Dec 26th Boxing Day – The Feast of St Stephen – Holy Eucharist at 9-30am
Dec 27th The Feast of St John the Evangelist. Holy Eucharist at 9-30am
Dec 28th The Feast of the Holy Innocents. Holy Eucharist at 9-30am.

December 30th Sunday after Christmas 8am Holy Eucharist at Kirton.
Benefice Eucharist at Fosdyke at 11:00am followed by refreshments.

PLEASE REFER TO THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND WEB SITE FOR ALL CHILD PROTECTION INFORMATION:
https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding
All the policy and practice guidance on this page has been approved by the House of Bishops and must, where relevant, be followed by all Church Bodies* and Church Officers**.

Please note under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016*** all authorised clergy, bishops, archdeacons, licensed readers and lay workers, churchwardens and PCCs must have ‘due regard’ to safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops (this will include both policy and practice guidance). A duty to have ‘due regard’ to guidance means that the person under the duty is not free to disregard it but is required to follow it unless there are cogent reasons for not doing so. (‘Cogent’ for this purpose means clear, logical and convincing.) Failure by clergy to comply with the duty imposed by the 2016 Measure may result in disciplinary action.

*Church Bodies includes PCCs, diocesan bodies, cathedrals, religious communities, theological training institutions and the National Church Institutions. This policy will apply to the whole of the provinces of Canterbury and York (including the Diocese in Europe subject to local variations/modifications). There is also an expectation that the policy will apply to the Channel Islands and Sodor and Man unless there is specific local legislation in a jurisdiction that would prevent adoption.

**A “Church Officer” is anyone appointed/elected by or on behalf of the Church to a post or role, whether they are ordained or lay, paid or unpaid.

***The Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 applies to the whole of the provinces of Canterbury and York (including the Diocese in Europe subject to local variations/modifications), with the exception of the Channel Islands and Sodor and Man. In order to extend the 2016 Measure to the Channel Islands or Sodor and Man legislation will need to be passed by the relevant island jurisdictions in accordance with section 12 of that Measure.

Reporting abuse and finding support
If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires immediate medical attention call the emergency services on 999. Do not delay.

Sunday Devember 9th we continue our journey into the Advent season. We expore and unpack the ancient Advenrt themes in our worship.

At All Saints Church in Fosdyke this Sunday we offer a Sung Parish Eucharist at 9:30am.

At SS Peter & Paul in Kirton, we have a Parish Eucharist sung at 11:00am followed by coffee.

Sunday Devember 9th we continue our journey into the Advent season. We expore and unpack the ancient Advenrt themes in our worship.

At All Saints Church in Fosdyke this Sunday we offer a Sung Parish Eucharist at 9:30am.

At SS Peter & Paul in Kirton, we have a Parish Eucharist sung at 11:00am followed by coffee.

Sunday Devember 9th we continue our journey into the Advent season. We expore and unpack the ancient Advenrt themes in our worship.

At All Saints Church in Fosdyke this Sunday we offer a Sung Parish Eucharist at 9:30am.

At SS Peter & Paul in Kirton, we have a Parish Eucharist sung at 11:00am followed by coffee.

At first glance, we may be tempted to skip the details of the “Who was Who” that introduces our Gospel today! We have heard of many of the people mentioned but can be left wondering why Luke thought it to be so important to list them… especially, as there are doubts about whether all the various “reigns” coincided quite as neatly as Luke suggests.

He is, in fact, setting a scene – laying before us an image of a country governed by the Roman Empire – by kings – and by high priests. These are the people with power – political – regal – and religious – these are the people whose names carried influence. These are the people who – for those of us who know the end of the story – will feature large in a major confrontation which will lead to the death of a man on a cross.

For today, though, it is not that confrontation we address – but the contrast between such people of power and a man wandering in the wilderness who hears the Word of God and begins to preach it. From other accounts of John the Baptist, we know that he did not have any of the earthly signs of power – but his words carry the power of history and prophecy. He senses that the day of the Lord is close at hand and sees a people lax in their religious practice – a people far from God. He does not go to the city – but speaks in the wilderness, the place where the people found themselves closest to God. This is the place where earthly power gives way to the power of nature – where humanity is forced to confront its frailty and dependence on God. John exhorts people to repentance – to change their ways and to turn back to God.

The challenge is being laid down – the confrontation between temporal authority (as symbolised by the people listed at the start of the Gospel) and spiritual power has begun. Those who, in earthly terms, had all the power were to be faced with something far greater. A way was being prepared for the one who was to come to fulfil God’s promise to deliver his people.

The prophecy of Isaiah echoed down the centuries – and Luke sees John as that voice crying in the wilderness preparing the way of the Lord – preparing people to receive their saving God.

December 9th – tonight in Algarkirk Village Hall we hold our annual St Nicholas Festival and Boy Bishop Ceremony at 5pm with Children’s crafts and activities. All are welcome.

December 16th Why not join is at All Saints Church in Fosdyke for a traditional Festival of Lessons and Carols at 6pm followed by light refreshments.

December 18th Kirton Village Carol Sing. Join the Churches for a Village Carol sing – meet at the Methodist Church for 6-30pm. Also on this day we welcome Thomas Middlecott Academy for their Christmas Carols Services at 2:15pm and at 6:30pm.

On Thursday 20th December we welcome Kirton Junior School for their Carol Service at 2:15pm.

December 21st at 7:00pm “The Longest Night” – a very simple but special time of worship and fellowship for all those people who find this festive time of the year stressful and difficult. Why not join us for a time of simple reflection and prayer and fellowship on the longest night of the year.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES 2018

Christmas Eve December 24th

A Special Family Crib Service at 4:00pm. The Christmas Story told in Chocolate!

The First Mass of Christmas Midnight.

Service begins at 11:30pm.

Christmas Day December 25th

Christmas Day Eucharist for all the family at 10:00am