Remembrance Sunday (13 November) and Christ the King (20 November) 2011

Laying on of hands, with or without anointing and prayer for healing of spirit, emotions and body are available in the South Transept (to the right of the pulpit) immediately after 10.30am Sunday Worship, on request to any of the following: Andrew or Biddy Dawson, Kathy or Graham Lees, Alf Wild or Barbara Duxbury. If possible ask someone other than Graham or Andrew, as they are the least likely to be available. The person you approach will ask another member of the Healing Team to join you both in the South Transept for ministry.

Gift Day is on 27 November. Although I reported in the September magazine that, if we continued giving weekly at the level so far managed this year, we would have a loss of £9248 on 31 December, the fact is that since then we have not increased weekly giving at all. To reach our target figure we need to give an extra £9248 ÷34 adults  = £272 extra each on average. Alternatively, we could aim to match last year’s Gift Day total: £4756 ÷ 34 adults = £140 each on average which would leave us with a loss of £4492 (to be paid out of our remaining capital of approx £20,000). To some of us, we know that before God we cannot give any more. But it may be that others of us could spend less on ourselves in order to give more to the work of God through His Church. Please use the yellow gift envelopes – why not take one home on 13 or 20 November to bring on 27 November, containing your gift? Only complete your name and details if you are a taxpayer and GiftAid can be collected from Revenue and Customs.

Authorised Lay Ministers were featured in the October ‘Crux’. They can be worship leaders, Parish Visitors, or Children’s Ministers. Training involves a 6 month course on some evenings in the week and one Saturday. The course is funded by the Diocese. Candidates must be nominated by the local Church Council and selected by the Discipleship and Ministry Training Department. Further information in October Crux or from Andrew. Candidates must have previously completed a course of Christian education, eg Confirmation as an adult, Alpha, Emmaus, ‘Jesus Then & Now’, ‘Saints Alive’, - all of which have been at St Thomas’ over the last 20 years. You might like to suggest the name of a suitable person to Andrew? We will need at least one ALM when Andrew retires. Applications must be made by 30 November.

Meaningful chocolate tree decorations: £3.50 for a box containing a Christmas Story card, sticker set and six handwrapped quality Fairtrade chocolate tree decorations. Most of the UK’s 20 million Christmas trees have nothing Christian hanging on them. Over £25,000 was given to charity by the same manufacturer out of the profit made from the sale of the ‘Real Easter Egg’. Order form at the back – please order by 16 November.

Mothers’ Union Christmas Coffee Morning: admission £1 including mince pie and coffee. Raffle and Bring & Buy. Saturday 3 December, 10.30 to 12 noon, in our School.

Festival of Light organised by the Interfaith Forum, contributions in speech, music and dance by Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Jews. At the Grand Venue (former Anchor Mill), Daisy Street, Featherstall Road, at 6.30pm on Thursday 8 December. Entry by free ticket from Andrew.

Advent Quiet Morning: two addresses by the Revd Sue Morgan, Eucharist led by Bishop Mark. 9.30 – 1.30 on Saturday 10 December at All Saints & Martyrs, Langley, Middleton.

Word of Life UK newsletter for autumn/winter 2011 – copies at the back.

‘Good News for Muslims’ is a booklet all about the beliefs of Islam, their history and customs. Pick up a copy from the back.

Advice on employing personal care assistants: see brochure at the back entitled ‘Personal Care Assistants, Brokerage and Payroll Service.

   THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER REQUESTS  

† Give thanks for our Communion Assistants – training evening on Thursday 24

† Guidance to all about those who could offer to be Authorised Lay Ministers

† Guidance to all about Gift Day on Sunday 27

† People connected with our church engaged in outreach at home and abroad: especially Shelagh Wynne in Thailand, an administrator equipping serving Friends of China; all involved in service and outreach at the Salt Cellar; the Jennings family in Bangladesh: James, an education consultant; Diane, a teacher; Hannah, researching Bangladeshi remedies; Beth, leading a project for women and children who have been abused; Nathaniel and Donna, presently in Ulster seeking good care for Micah and baby Tabitha; Sarah, teaching in Ceuta (a Spanish enclave on the Moroccan coast); Andrew at university in the US

† Refugees and people seeking asylum: Give thanks that Andy, Azam, Marzia and baby Danny have refugee status. Pray for them as they change their income and housing arrangements. Pray for others still seeking asylum: David, Sobia, young Sara and Daniel William; Hawani; Maryam; Alireza; Azra; Nilou; Mahtab; Ali; Shabnam; Hooman; Masood; Afsana; Haleh; Mohammed; Arash, those taking part in home group, Oldham Unity AGM on Monday 14

† Those who are unwell: give thanks for progress in Joan Finlayson and Mavis Booth. Continue to pray for them, and for Ivy Reynolds, young Harry Pleasant, Jenny Bartlett, Comal Sankaran, Norman and Alma Flint, Andy and Ruth Sharrock, Beatrice Howard, young Aaron Funnell, Raymond Scott, Alan Broome, Enid Gregson, Dinah McLeod, Ron Spivey, Tom Parkinson, Chris Buckley, Carl Withers, the victims of famine in East Africa, and others whom we know.

† The bereaved: in particular the families and friends of David Barnett, Jack Greenhalgh, Ethel Barrett and those who have died of starvation in East Africa.

All material for the church bulletin should be given to Andrew no later than Wednesday lunchtime.

Please take this bulletin with you when you leave.

Please do not leave it in your service book or in the pew.