Latest News From The Parish
While the Coronavirus COVID 19 measures are in force important news will appear on our Home Page
Gift Services— Sunday 28th November
At our Gift Services this year we are donating Christmas gifts to Welcare in
Bromley. They have requested supermarket vouchers and gift vouchers or
money this year rather than gifts. The donations will go to Welcare’s
Families In Crisis Appeal, rather than donating toys to Welcare, which will
enable them to use the funding flexibly. This includes purchasing gift
vouchers for the most appropriate local supermarket including Co-Op,
ASDA etc. Supermarket vouchers also enable parents to purchase schools
uniform, warm clothes, cleaning and personal hygiene products.
Here’s a message from Welcare’s Chief Executive Anna Khan which
explains the policy in more detail:
“Welcare continues to adapt our support services to the ever-changing
environment and needs of the children and families we serve. We have
found that some of the changes adopted as a temporary measure during
the Covid-19 crisis have merit as permanent features. We have focused
increasingly on the need for funds to enable us to give specific client grants including the most appropriate local supermarket voucher. This flexibility enables us to work closely with the parent giving personal choice or to use the funding available to purchase an item that will make a huge difference to the family. Examples of this include a carpet for a family home, help with transport costs or even a man and a van to help a family leave an abusive domestic situation. We can also purchase an age-appropriate toy, or toys for all the children rather than relying on the items that are donated to us, which are often more appropriate for younger children. We understand the desire to donate toys, especially at Christmas but we believe we can best serve the needs of the whole family through
supporting our Families In Crisis Appeal which allows our staff to use their
knowledge of the family and other local agencies to target help and
support where it is needed most."
St Mary’s Flower Guild
On September 28th, the members of St Mary's Flower Guild met to honour the 50+ years of service each given by Margery Chamberlain and Peggy Garnett. Over scones and cakes memories were exchanged and we all had a smile at the old record and account books. Margery thought she probably joined the Guild a few years after Peggy but who's counting? She reminded us of how fashions in flower arranging have changed over the years and remembered the days of the Green Street Green Horticultural Society whose members grew the very finest chrysanthemums for our use at Harvest Festival.
Sadly Peggy was unable to join us on the day but sent her good wishes to
everyone. Sara Beswetherick also sent her apologies as covid was rife in her daughter's school and she did not wish to endanger our guests.
We all thank Peggy and Margery for their many years of service. They have shared their expertise with younger members of the Guild and contributed flowers and good humour to every Festival and occasion. A big Thank You from everyone!"
Jocelyn Wright
Food Bank news:
A reminder that the warehouse at the Civic Centre has now closed. The new warehouse is open at Unit 3, Ashgrove Industrial Estate, Ashgrove Road, Bromley, BR1 4JW.
Long Life Fruit Juice, Tinned Cold Meat, Sugar Free Sweets, Size 5 & 5+ Nappies We are also looking for Christmas Sweets, especially for Children, Mince Pies and Yule Logs (These must be dated 26th December or after otherwise they will not be able to go in our Christmas Hampers, as they will be out of date before the clients get them)
Judith Simmonds will be taking the Parish contributions towards the end of the month so please drop your donations into our box in the porch before then.
Church Centre Halls
The Church Centre halls are now open for events once again, so if you’d
like more information or to book a venue for birthday parties, anniversary
celebrations, or any other events, please contact the new Assistant Benefice Administrator, Philippa Rooke, on hallbookings@smasch.org.uk or
01689 852905
Afghanistan
We know many within the Diocese and beyond are concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and are seeking ways they can help. The organisation Welcome Churches has set up an emergency fund to help support Afghan families who are being relocated from Afghanistan to the UK for their safety. Find out more at https://welcomechurches.org/updates/emergency-afghan-fund/
A prayer for Afghanistan
O God of mercy and of peace, We hold before you the peoples of Afghanistan.
Be living bread to those who are hungry each day
Be healing and wholeness to those who have no access to health care amidst the ravages of pandemic
Be their true home to all who have been displaced
Be open arms of loving acceptance to those who fear because of their gender, ethnicity, religious or political views
Be peace to those engaged in armed conflict and those who live within its shadow.
Turn our hearts and minds to your ways of just and gentle peace,
Open our eyes to see you in all acts of compassionate care
Strengthen our hearts to step out in solidarity with your suffering people and Hold us all in your unfailing love.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself of all but love in order to bring life in all its fullness.
Amen
This prayer was written by Ramani Leathard, Christian Aid's Head of Region for South East Asia and Afghanistan
Superdrug recycles empty medicine blister packs
Superdrug are now recycling empty tablet blister packs. You can take
these to any of their branches with a Pharmacy, which Orpington has. This is in partnership with TerraCycle.
Amazon Smile - Fundraising Opportunity
If you are an Amazon Prime customer you may already know about
Amazon Smile. This is a part of the Amazon website where Amazon will
donate to a chosen charity, 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases.
St Mary’s is now registered with Amazon so if you are a Prime customer you may wish to nominate us for donations. You can find out more at: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/chpf/about
During the pandemic many of us have bought more on line than we might
otherwise have so the overall amount could be significant.
We are registered as:
The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Green Street
Green And Pratts Bottom (St. Mary's With All Souls).
Other churches have similar names so make sure you have the right one.
It might be helpful to put St Mary’s with All Souls into your search bar as
our name then comes up straight away.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) The Church of England has issued some guidance on how churches should deal with the threat of Coronavirus (Covid-19). The situation is evolving so it is worth checking frequently. Y ou can read the latest advice here: |
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Toddler Group - St Martin’s (CURRENTLY SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS) As some of you will be aware, we sadly said farewell to our Toddler Group in July at St Mary’s. Thank you very much to Sue Bridger and Helen Spence for organising and running our Sparks Toddler Club. There is a Toddler Club at St Martin’s of Tours Church, Chelsfield. The group runs every Tuesday morning during |