Reflections Blog

Does Christmas really come earlier every year? I know that sometimes it seems as if it does, and the sight of me going around the benefice with piles of empty shoeboxes at the end of August probably did little to dispel this notion. However, this year (as I am sure the eagle eyed amongst you will have already spotted on their new leaflet) Link to Hope need to have all of our boxes by Tuesday 6th November. This means that in order for us to get them there, you MUST return your completed boxes back to church (or direct to Christine and Arthur Sibun if you prefer) on (or before) Sunday 4th November. So, there is still plenty of time to do one if you haven’t started already. Thank you to all of you who have expressed interest, provided goodies, or taken boxes and leaflets already. As I mentioned in last month’s PAX magazine, we have already been given a number of items which will be available free of charge for use in the boxes and we are aiming to have them available at most of the 9.15am. services at St. Ippolyts. (Or alternatively call Christine and Arthur on 01462-459145 if you need more information). Once your box is full, wrap it up as explained in the leaflet. Then, once you have filled in the contents list, open the leaflet flat (and with the contents list uppermost) stick it to the top of your box with Sellotape along the three edges marked in yellow. Close the back page of the leaflet (so that the gift aid form is uppermost) and stick that with tape at the top and bottom as shown. Fill it in (if applicable) and attach your £2 donation towards transport by sticking it with tape in the space provided. Your box is now complete and ready to go - to either a family or to an elderly person, whichever you have chosen. So just bring it back to church before the deadline and we will do the rest. Thank you. Arthur Sibun

Our midweek Holy Communion service at St. Ippolyts has seen a significant change in attendance over the last few months for various reasons and is unsustainable in its present format. Rather than cancel it altogether, we have decided to make some changes. It will now be called Wednesday Worship as it will be either a Holy Communion service or a service of Morning Prayer depending on those attending and whether there is a priest available to celebrate Holy Communion. The time will also change from 11.00am. as it is at the present, to a new time of 10.00am. There will be no service during the winter months, from 1st November until 1st March. The changes will come into effect from 1st November 2018. In the meantime, the service will remain at 11.00am. but please do check your weekly pew sheet before attending, as the service will be cancelled if the regular attendees are unable to come. St. Ippolyts PCC

ALL HALLOWS’ EVE (MESSY CHURCH) Wednesday 31st October - St. Ippolyts Church - 4.30pm. - 6.00pm. Trick or treat? Whether we like it or not, Halloween celebrations are fast becoming a major event in our towns and villages. Children and adults try to outdo one another with ever more imaginative (and often scary) costumes and on the 31st October our streets are swarming with ghouls and ghosties, alongside many a zombie. As Christians, it can leave us with many conflicting thoughts and feelings. Do we hide behind the sofa and pretend we’re out when the trick or treaters knock? Or do we reluctantly hand out the obligatory chocolate bar and hope the vicar doesn’t find out! Do we point blank refuse to have anything to do with Halloween or do we see it as harmless fun? Whatever our views, ignoring it won’t make it go away. This year, St. Ippolyts Church will be hosting a Messy Church event for Halloween. We believe in a God whose light and love can overcome any darkness and that’s what we want to celebrate on Halloween. It will be a chance for everyone to come along and find out a bit more about the origins of Halloween. There will be crafts, games, stories and food! Come along and try your hand at pumpkin carving. Show us your apple bobbing skills or wow us with your costumes. The crafts and games will be aimed at primary aged children but all are welcome - trick or treaters too! Look out for posters nearer the time. With love - Reverend Ginni

This Sunday we welcome Revd Austin Smith to St Ippolyts who will be taking the serrvice whilst Revd Paul Lanham is away on holiday.

BIBLE STUDY GROUP

Bible Study Group meetings resume this month and our meetings will take place on Wednesdays 12^thand 26^thSeptember.  We meet at 2.30pm. at Oakhurst (behind Kingshott School) home of Margaret Edmonds. We will be continuing our study of The Book of Genesis.  Refreshments are served after the meeting.

New members would be most welcome so do come and 

join us.  For further information please contact Margaret Edmonds (01462-452340) or Clare Larsen (01462-453541).

                                                                                          Clare Larsen