What's On
SERVICES
We have been looking forward to the ending of covid restrictions. Whilst these have been lifted this is happening as there is a surge of transmission though with comparatively few people ill enough to require hospital treatment, especially among the double vaccinated. From conversations I have had there is still some reluctance from many worshippers to abandon masks and sing in one leap.
From July 25th we will resume congregational singing at 9.30am but, as a transitional arrangement, ask people to wear masks. 8am will remain masked and socially distanced. 11.15 will be masked and without congregational singing. We will keep this under review in the light of any guidance we receive and the feelings of worshippers locally.
Currently on Sundays there are services at 8am, 9.30am & 11.15am at Holy Cross, and a New Way Service at the Memorial Hall at 10.30am on the First and Third Sunday of the month. The next New Way Service is on 1st August.
Bookings: There is no need to book for 8am or 11.15am services but please book on office@holycrosschurch.co.uk for other services, preferably by noon on Thursday so that Kathleen can check and confirm. The inbox will be checked again on late Saturday afternoon. Please email here to book and see Notice Sheet for further details.
On-line, New Way & Morning Prayer.
Mark Pavey continues to produce online services for the team each Sunday morning at 10.00 am - see details below. They will be no on-line services throughout August.
"Zoom Morning Prayer" 9.00am Monday to Thursday each week, continues. A simple 20 minute service with music, Scripture reading, reflection and prayer. This Week's Topic is "Thy Kingdom Come" all are welcome. See "Links" Section below for log in details.
Join us this Sunday using the links:
For 10.00 am On-Line Service (Not in August):
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/northdownschurches
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4KnCwLrj4ACApkv_UEyXvg
They are first streamed at 10am on Sunday and remain available after being lived streamed to be watched at a convenient time.
To Join the Zoom "Zoom Morning Prayer" 9.00am Monday to Thursday each week:
Click here and enter Meeting ID & Passcode (624122) between 8.45-9.00am.
Notice Sheet for 1st August.
Notice Sheet for 25th July.
Services each Sunday until further notice:
8.00am Eucharist Holy Cross
9.30am Eucharist Holy Cross – need to book
11.15am Eucharist Holy Cross
New Way Services 10.30am at Memorial Hall 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month - need to book.
Daily Prayers will continue to be offered by the Rector in Holy Cross at the usual weekday time of 9.15am.
The Church is open for private prayer while socially distancing, please follow the instructions displayed.
We will regularly update our Pew Sheet / Notice Sheet on this page so please revisit each week for an update.
Sunday Mornings
As well as the On-line service (not in August) mentioned above which are available after being live streamed consider.
1. Radio. BBC Radio 4, Sunday Worship at 8.10am, Radio 3, Choral Evensong, Sunday 3pm,, Weds 3.30pm. The BBC can be accessed at anytime for recordings of these services.
2. TV. BBC 1 Songs of Praise Sunday 1.15pm.
3. Internet, search All Souls, Langham Place,London and St James,Muswell Hill, London for recordings of services and talks. Take care esp of content, you can always check something out with vicar. Please email office if you come across good internet resources.
4. Do more of personal devotions – pray and read the bible. Also read other Christian books.
NOTICES
WAR MEMORIAL BIOGRAPHIES
The original computer files for the WW2 Biographies for the War Memorials at Holy Cross and St Mary’s have been lost. One or more volunteers are needed to retype from printed hard copies so that they are readily available. If you can undertake this task it does not have to be done immediately.
Please email the office if you are interested.
EASTER DVD
Please email the office if you would like a copy of the Good Friday and Easter Day DVD that the Pastoral Team have produced.
Please email the office if you are interested.
SAMARA'S AID APPEAL - MEDICAL CENTRE SYRIA
Help save lives in Syria by donating towards life saving equipment
March 21
Samara’s team is in the process of opening a new medical centre in Syria in the middle of the Covid crisis. Dependable medical services are urgently needed in this poor area, and especially those which can be accessed free of charge by the poorest and most vulnerable.
Samara is raising funds to support this essential and life saving medical service now the building work is almost complete. Samara has recently got quotes for the following items which she would like to buy to equip and run the new medical centre emergency room and high dependency unit:
2 ventilators - £5,500 each,
6 – 8 patient monitors - £3,500 each
10 -12 syringe pumps - £540 each
This medical centre will be the first step towards enabling a larger Grace Hospital to be built through allowing a smaller, more manageable service first. It will run on a not for profit basis.
Please donate to help buy this life saving medical equipment by visiting MEDICAL AID: SYRIA — SAMARA'S AID APPEAL
Please continue to pray for Samara’s team in Syria led by Dr A who are making and continue to make such a difference to lives in Syria.
For more information on Samaras other current projects include an building long term Grace Hospital , running an outreach centre for orphans and widows with a food bank and children’s safespace, educational support programme, running livelihood courses for widows & farming local land to grow wheat visit here
FUND RAISING COMMITTEE
The Fund Raising Committee for the Holy Cross Church Bearsted, under the logo ‘Raise the Roof’, would like to bring you up to date with news of our fund raising activities.Since October 2017 we have held numerous events, including: quiz evenings, a murder mystery evening, a weekend flower festival, an ecumenical music hall evening with churches from Bearsted and the wider community, and 3 Christmas Fayres. We have received generous gift donations from various local concerts, and from the Bearsted and Thurnham Summer Fayre Committee.
Our fund raising efforts are as a direct result of the recent Quinquennial Report which highlighted the need to have our roof repaired. The repairs are extensive and costs will reflect this. Therefore in addition to our efforts, we are approaching Charitable Trusts to seek financial support. At the time of going to press, we have been successful in being voted a Grant donation from The Cobtree
Trust. Their Grant of £10,000 plus an offer of £10,000 as an interest free loan is a tremendous start.
We have so far raised £21,396.00 and this is due to the wonderful support given to all the above events by the People of Bearsted and the surrounding communities. This is also due to the commitment and sheer hard work of all those involved in organising and volunteering their time and energies to making the above events happen. Thank you.
CHURCH OFFICE – WEDNESDAY EVENINGS
Please note that for an experimental time the Parish Office will be discontinued on a Wednesday
Evening. The office is open as usual Monday mornings and Thursday all day.
SAMARA AID APPEAL
Latest update can be found here
HOMEGROUPS Homegroups at Holy Cross continue to meet regularly providing an opportunity to enquire about and discuss our faith and also to meet socially in an informal setting.
These are the groups, some are temporarily suspended at the moment:-
- Every Thursday afternoon - Les Smith (8 members)
- Every Monday evening - Julie Osborn (7 members)
- Every Tuesday evening - Andy Haines (10 members)
- Every Tuesday evening - Richard Sutch (6 members)
- Every other Thursday evening - Sandra Brabyn (9 members)
- Every Wednesday morning (ladies group) - Diana Sandford (11 members)
- Every other Thursday evening - Juliet Mee (9 members)
All these groups welcome new members. If you are interested in joining a group post Covid-19 please contact
Sandra Brabyn 01622 630500