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Volume 14 No. 43 |
Friday 20 September 2024 |
The Friday Thought
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Richard Hackworth
Licensed Lay Reader and All Saints Representative |
Someone asked me recently, “what’s so special about a Christian? How can I tell when I meet one?” That started a train of thought.
I recently attended a funeral service for a someone I first met when we both started our first jobs, at the same company and on the same day. A dozen or so others who started work with us also attended his funeral. I hadn’t seen any of them for about 50 years. I remembered names but I wasn’t sure I’d recognise any of them after so long. I needed have worried and I worked out who they all were. What interested me was how I did it. No one was wearing name badges (that would be odd at a funeral!) but in every case I first recognised people not by their voices or what they said, but by their gestures, their walking gait, their mannerisms of speech and expression, their reactions. These were still easily recognisable even after 50 years. And they all recognised me, clearly in the same kind of way.
When we all had to wear face masks during the Covid restrictions, several people commented to me that although it was more difficult to recognise people by their faces, they could still recognise people by their gait or some other mannerism, even at a distance. Sometimes we remember and recognise people by their behaviour, not necessarily by what they say or how they dress, but by what they do. It seems the way we move and behave is an enduring signature of who we are.
There’s a scene in Matthew’s gospel when the crowd around Jesus tell him his mother and brothers are looking for him (12.48). Jesus replies that whoever does the will of God is his family. That is, whoever lives their life as he does, whoever places the will of God above themselves in all things – they are his family. On other occasions (e.g. Mark 8) Jesus tells his disciples not to think of him in human worldly terms. He is not a warrior who will defeat Rome and Make Israel Great Again, as they expect and hope he is. Jesus tells them, the only way really to come to know him and what he really means, is to follow him – follow his teaching, his example, how he responds to people and to God. There are many questions we have about Jesus we can’t answer, but Jesus doesn’t so much call us to understand about him, as he calls us to follow him, to act in the world as he teaches and shows us. We recognise God in the world by what he does, and I think the world recognises Christians by what we do in the world in Jesus’ name. That’s our signature of who we are.
So, my answer to my questioner is to find out more about the man Jesus and what he taught and did, and the effect he had on people he meets. The signature of Christians is that they follow his teaching and example. I hope she might come back to me sometime to tell me how she gets on.
Blessings,
Richard
Church news & notices
Saturday 21 September
Fr Stuart’s deanery walk
Fr Stuart is doing a lot of walking this autumn! Continuing from last week's Bike & Hike event, our rambling Rector is going to undertake his own walk to all the churches in the Berkhamsted Deanery - around 28 miles. He is raising money for the Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust and for St Peter's Berkhamsted. If you didn't manage to sponsor the bikers and hikers last week, now's your chance to add your support! Simply follow the link to JustGiving.com below, or hand a donation to Fr Stuart in person. Thank you for your support.
 www.justgiving.com/page
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Sunday 6 October - Saturday 19 October
An Interfaith Harvest
 Once again we're sharing our Harvest festivities with our friends from South Bucks Jewish Community (SBJC), and this year we'll be raising money for The Trussell Trust and The Hunger Project UK, two wonderful charities which work to feed hungry people in the UK and overseas.
Sunday 6th October: St Peter's Harvest Festival service
We celebrate our Harvest Festival in church, and as part of the 9:30am service we're inviting people to offer the promises they'd be willing to auction.
19 October: Harvest Promises Auction
We'll be sharing in a Harvest Promises Auction with SBJC at 12.30pm, in the Court House. Do come and support this lovely event - last year our two communities raised around £1000 for Christian Aid!
Wednesday 16-Saturday 19 October: Food for the Soul - Interfaith Sponsored Pilgrimage
Fr Stuart will be walking with Rabbi Neil Janes of SBJC and other faith and community leaders, from Wallingford to Berkhamsted. In our shared season of Harvest we'll be giving thanks for all those things which feed our souls by visiting centres of artistic creativity, sports, education and more. Anybody wishing to join for part of the journey would be very welcome:
- Wednesday 16th: Wallingford to High Wycombe (18 miles)
- Thursday 17th: High Wycombe to Aylesbury (17 miles)
- Friday 18th: Aylesbury to Tring (8 miles)
- Saturday 19th: Tring to Berkhamsted (6 miles)
Please contact Fr Stuart if you'd like to know more.
Visit the SoulFoodWalk website to learn more about this inspiring journey of a priest and a rabbi, and follow their progress daily. You'll also find donation links there to support their good causes:
Contact:
 Send an email to: Fr Stuart
soulfoodwalk.wordpress.com/
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Saturday 12 October at 7:00 pm
Harvest Festival Night Dinner
There will be another fundraising meal in the Court House to for raise money for the Roof Funds. We would welcome any meal donations for that night . Please contact Carolynne if you can help to support this event:
Contact:
Send an email to: Carolynne Charman
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Sunday 13 October at 1:30 pm
Choir recruitment day
Everyone who attends services at St Peter's values the work of our church choir, elevating our worship and glorifying God through the beauty of music. It is a wonderful thing to have cathedral-style music in a parish church, and to keep this tradition alive, we need to bring in new singers - especially children.
The choir is inviting local parents to bring their youngsters to try out singing at a special "Be a Chorister" afternoon event. There will be fun activities tea, juice and cake, and at the end of the day, there’ll be a chance to sing in a short service at 5pm alongside the existing choristers. Parents can meet our friendly music team and ask questions. St Peter’s Church Choir offers fantastic opportunities for boys and girls aged 6+ to develop skills that will be with them for life. It’s a free musical education and a great way to make new friends!
If you get the free glossy Berkhamsted News magazine through your letterbox, you'll find a short article on page 18 about the "Be a Chorister" day, and there's publicity about this in church and online. If your friends/neighbours have musical children, please share this with them and encourage them to come along.
Contact:
Send an email to: Parish Office
www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/choir
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Tuesday 5 November - Tuesday 19 November
Evening Pilgrimage at St Albans Cathedral
Come on a free guided walk through St Albans Cathedral, with historical insights, prayers, and silence, concluding with Compline by candlelight at the Shrine of St Alban. Light refreshments provided. If you are interested in going, please let Fr Stuart know and indicate whether you could take part on November 5th, 19th or both.
Contact:
Send an email to: Fr Stuart
ow.ly/TLN850T8QmX
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Saturday 9 November at 7:00 pm
Neoclassical Piano Concert – Back to the Future
We are excited to welcome virtuoso pianist Yaroslav Oliinyk to play a concert in St Peter's - "Back to the Future". Yaroslav is an acclaimed young composer and pianist from Ukraine, noted for his dazzling performances, captivating audiences with his exceptional improvisational skills. He will showcase his original piano compositions and reimagined versions of famous music across various genres, merging the past and the future.
All proceeds from this concert will go to two good causes:
- EducArtEvent, a wonderful local charity that supports people who have been displaced by war and have found a refuge in the Dacorum area. In particular, they provide free English classes and arts & crafts workshops to help Ukrainian children adapt to their new environment.
- St Peter's Roof Fund, raising money to sort out our leaking roof!
Come and support two great local causes and enjoy a truly breathtaking experience! Tickets £12 - buy on the night or book online:
www.eventbrite.com/e
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Saturday 16 November at 10:00 am
Quiet Day at Little Gaddesden Church
Another Quiet Day has been arranged at Little Gaddesden Church on Saturday 16 November 10.00am - 4.00pm. Coffee/tea available throughout the day and lunch will be soup and sandwiches. By kind permission of the Rector of Little Gaddesden, the hall and the church will be available for only our group. The cost will be approximately £30 per person. To book a place, please email:
Contact:
Send an email to: Fr David
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Responding to homelessness and need
Sometimes people come into St Peter's with problems such as homelessness. While we are advised not to give out money, as Christians we instinctively want to help people in need. New posters and leaflets are now available in church with information about:
- Emergency food: how to get access to local food banks
- Homeless: how to get to the DENS drop-in day centre for a hot meal, clean clothes and advice
Please offer a leaflet to anyone in need - it will point people in the right direction to get the best support from trained volunteers.
- Rough sleepers: if you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, you can call the DENS outreach team on 01442 800131, and they will send someone to check up on the person and get them to a shelter. You can also send a report online at thestreetlink.org.uk.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Parish Office.
Contact:
Send an email to: Parish Office
www.dens.org.uk/need-help
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Little Fishes – help wanted!
Little Fishes is a weekly play activity group for toddlers in the Court House, with toys, crafts and Bible stories. It's a lovely way for St Peter's to reach out to young families in the community. The volunteers who run Little Fishes do wonderful work, and this friendly group also provide teas and coffees to the mums, dads and carers. They're really short of helpers and could really use some extra help in the kitchen - can you volunteer some time on Friday mornings? Each session lasts about 1½ hours, and there is a rota, so you wouldn't have to do every week. The more volunteers the fewer sessions each volunteer would need to do. Please get in touch if you can help:
Contact:
Send an email to: Diana Nicholas
www.facebook.com/littlefishesberkhamsted
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Diocesan news
Education Team job vacancies
The Diocese is advertising for two part-time administrators to work with the Education Team at Holywell Lodge in St Albans. Visit to the Diocesan website for job descriptions and application forms. The closing date is 24 September 2024.
www.stalbansdiocese.org/vacancies-role
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Church noticeboard
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Berkhamsted community news & events
Saturday 7 September - Sunday 29 September
Herts Open Studios
Explore an art trail across Hertfordshire as local artists open their studios to visitors over 3 weeks in September. View their paintings, drawings, crafts and sculptures, and maybe even treat yourself to a piece of art! Pick up a brochure at the back of church to find artists' studios, or visit the Herts Visual Arts website:
www.hvaf.org.uk/our-events
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Saturday 21 September at 8:00 am
Prayer Breakfast at Sunnyside Church
Berkhamsted churches are ready for their autumn prayer sessions to gather together for prayer in our community. This month will be at Sunnyside Church on Ivy House Lane, with a breakfast of coffee and croissants. Join them if you can, and do bring along any friends who might like to join them in prayer for our churches, town, schools, and surrounding villages. If you have any issues that you would like to be included in the monthly prayer leaflet, please contact:
Contact:
Send an email to: Peggy Sear
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Saturday 21 September at 4:00 pm
All Saints’ Afternoon Concert
At All Saints’ Church, the roof repairs are now complete and the scaffolding is being removed. Our friends at All Saints’ invite you to an Afternoon Concert celebrating the repairs to their roof. Entertainment will be provided by the Hemel Hempstead Band and the acappella vocal group Hexachord. Tickets £10, accompanied children FREE. Buy tickets online or pay on the day:
tinyurl.com/4k4r8fu3
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Thursday 26 September at 6:00 pm
High Street redevelopment public exhibition
The row of Brutalist buildings we see today on the north side of Berkhamsted High Street was built in the 1970s, after a row of unfashionable Victorian shops was demolished. Former mayor John Cook famously saved the ornate 1860s Town Hall from destruction, and its heritage is now celebrated with a blue plaque.
Plans have now been unveiled to replace these 1970s buildings with a new development between Boots chemists and Waterstones bookshop. The scheme promises "contemporary residential apartments" and refurbished shopfronts, a landscaped square to the rear (by the Royal British Legion), and new retail on the Wilderness car park. The developers are holding a public exhibition in the old Town Hall (appropriately enough) on Thursday 26 September 6pm - 9pm, where there will be an opportunity to ask question and give feedback on the proposals.
168-192highstreet.co.uk/
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Sunday 29 September
Dacorum at 50 Fest
Dacorum Borough was formed in 1974 from the old Rural and Urban Districts, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of Dacorum. To celebrate, Dacorum Borough Council are hosting a free festival in Hemel Hempstead town centre from 11am to 5pm. The event will include a parade with giant puppets, entertainments, acrobats, fairground stalls, a market and food and drink stalls.
www.dacorum.gov.uk/50-Fest
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Thursday 3 October - Sunday 6 October
Graham Greene Festival
This year, to celebrate the novelist’s 120th birthday, there will be talks, discussions and social events in Berkhamsted, along with screenings of two film adaptations of Greene's work, The Man Within (1947) and The Fallen Idol (1948). For full listings and ticket booking visit the Graham Greene Birthplace Trust website.
Contact:
Send an email to:
www.grahamgreenebt.org/festival
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Saturday 5 October at 7:30 pm
Bridgewater Sinfonia concert
Proms fans may have heard a wonderful performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D at the Royal Albert Hall last Thursday - described as "the ultimate Romantic violin concerto". There's another chance to hear this concerto played live right here in Berkhamsted next month, when the Bridgewater Sinfonia return to St Peter's and welcome virtuoso violinist Amy Huang to the concert platform. Advance tickets are now on sale for £20 - book online or purchase at Ashtons Estate Agents (next to Tesco).
www.bridgewater-sinfonia.org.uk/
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Wednesday 9 October
Tea dance in Berkhamsted Town Hall
Once a month on a Wednesday afternoon from 1.30 until 4 o'clock, starting on 9th October, there will be a new tea dance upstairs, in the Old Town Hall. There will be a a DJ who is well versed in ballroom dance music, along with tea and biscuits of course and a great friendly atmosphere.
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Saturday 12 October
Singing workshop: The Armed Man
Berkhamsted Choral Society are running a singing workshop in St Peter's Church, led by their musical director Graham Wili. They will be singing the popular, uplifting mass setting by Karl Jenkins, The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. This friendly, social event will include tea, coffee and cake (bring your own lunch!), concluding with a free afternoon concert for family and friends. Non-members are welcome to come and participate - registration from 9:30am for a 10am start, and the free concert will begin at around 3:30 pm. It's £20 to take part, and you can book online or on the day:
tktp.as/EXGQIA
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Berkhamsted Recycling Centre closed
Hertfordshire County Council are going to expand the recycling centre on Northbridge Road. The centre will be closed while this work is going on, from Wednesday 25 September for approximately 8 weeks (until around the end of November). The nearest alternative centres are at Hemel Hempstead, Rickmansworth and Waterdale (Garston, North Watford). For full details visit:
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/about-the-council
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Police alert: fraudsters posing as police officers
Hertfordshire Police have issued a warning about fraudsters posing as police officers. Victims may receive telephone call from someone pretending to be a police officer or bank official, informing them of fraudulent activity on their bank account. The victims are then instructed to put their bank cards and/or money into an envelope and give it to a courier or taxi, which is sent to their home by the offenders. In some cases the victim may be asked to buy goods or vouchers. The offenders may also ask the victim to disclose their bank account and PIN numbers.
If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and take a note of the time, and the incoming phone number if you know it. Wait at least five minutes (to make sure the phone call has disconnected) or use a different phone (e.g. your mobile) and dial 101 to report it to the police. There are more details on the police's Herts Connected website:
www.hertsconnected.co.uk/Alerts
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Worship with us
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This Sunday: 22 September 2024
17th Sunday after Trinity
9:30am Sung Eucharist
You are invited to join us at our main Sunday service
Next Sunday: 29 September 2024
18th Sunday after Trinity
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Music this week
| Hymns: |
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| Anthem |
View me Lord Richard Lloyd |
| Voluntary |
1st Mvt, Concerto in b after Vivaldi - J.G. Walther |
Readings
Wisdom of Solomon 1.16 – 2.1, 12-22
But the ungodly by their words and deeds summoned death;
considering him a friend, they pined away
and made a covenant with him,
because they are fit to belong to his company.
For they reasoned unsoundly, saying to themselves,
‘Short and sorrowful is our life,
and there is no remedy when a life comes to its end,
and no one has been known to return from Hades.
‘Let us lie in wait for the righteous man,
because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions;
he reproaches us for sins against the law,
and accuses us of sins against our training.
He professes to have knowledge of God,
and calls himself a child of the Lord.
He became to us a reproof of our thoughts;
the very sight of him is a burden to us,
because his manner of life is unlike that of others,
and his ways are strange.
We are considered by him as something base,
and he avoids our ways as unclean;
he calls the last end of the righteous happy,
and boasts that God is his father.
Let us see if his words are true,
and let us test what will happen at the end of his life;
for if the righteous man is God’s child, he will help him,
and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries.
Let us test him with insult and torture,
so that we may find out how gentle he is,
and make trial of his forbearance.
Let us condemn him to a shameful death,
for, according to what he says, he will be protected.’
Thus they reasoned, but they were led astray,
for their wickedness blinded them,
and they did not know the secret purposes of God,
nor hoped for the wages of holiness,
nor discerned the prize for blameless souls;
Psalm 1 (vv.1-6)
1 Blessed are they who have not walked
in the counsel of the wicked,
nor lingered in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the assembly of the scornful.
2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord
and they meditate on his law day and night.
3 Like a tree planted by streams of water
bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither,
whatever they do, it shall prosper.
4 As for the wicked, it is not so with them;
they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked shall not be able to stand in the judgement,
nor the sinner in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked shall perish.
Gospel: Mark 9.30-37
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’
In our prayers this week
Anglican Cycle of Prayer:
The Church of North India (United)
Intercessions
| Diocese |
✚✚Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, ✚Alan, Bishop of St Albans, ✚ Jane, Bishop of Hertford, and Charles, Archdeacon of St Albans |
In our
continuing prayers |
Christina Billington, Margaret Douglas, Judith Hill, Douglas Hill, John Malcolm, Denis Beard, Mary Beard, Patricia Cody, Ghullam Mutaheri, Nola Frost, Betty Beggs, Audrey Higginbotham, Teddy Higginbotham, Jo Neale, Barbara Conway, Yvonne Hart, Clare Wallington, Barbara Fisher |
In our
immediate prayers |
Frozan Mutaheri, Len Bennett, Peter Kirk, John Palmer, Michael Mumford, Rosie Gagnon
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Weddings
(next four weeks) |
Rebekah Ingram & Ian Peters
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Wedding banns
called this Sunday |
Nathan Coleshill & Margaux Lawley
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Baptisms
(next four weeks) |
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| RIP |
Mike Armstrong, Virginia Bly
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| Memorial (year's mind) |
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Rotas
You can also check future rota dates on the parish website at www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/rotas
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| 22/09/2024 |
Trinity 17 |
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| 8.00am Eucharist |
| Clergy |
President |
David |
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David |
| Reader |
Tracy Robinson |
| 9.30am Sung Eucharist |
| Clergy |
President |
Stuart (Margaret) ((David)) |
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Preacher |
David |
| Sidespeople |
Kate Hennessey |
Judy Clegg |
| MC |
Mark Grego |
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| Acolytes |
Chris Clegg |
Emma Gosling |
| Thurifer |
0 |
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| Cruficer |
Richard Currie |
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| Reader |
Christopher Green |
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| Intercessions |
Robin McMorran |
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| Eucharistic Ministers |
Helen Nicholls |
Hilary Elliot |
| Sunday School |
0 |
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| Sound |
Jeremy Gosling |
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| Next Sunday |
| 29/09/2024 |
Trinity 18 |
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| 8.00am Eucharist |
| Clergy |
President |
Stuart |
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Preacher |
Stuart |
| Reader |
Marco Pierleoni |
| 9.30am Sung Eucharist |
| Clergy |
President |
Chris ((Anthony)) |
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Preacher |
Anthony |
| Sidespeople |
Uli Grego |
Carole Dell |
| MC |
Mark Grego |
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| Acolytes |
Libby Grundy |
Kiril Sotnykov |
| Thurifer |
0 |
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| Cruficer |
Stephen Lally |
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| Reader |
Kathie Lally |
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| Intercessions |
Sarah Elder |
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| Eucharistic Ministers |
Nicky Evans |
Bev Jullien |
| Sunday School |
0 |
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| Sound |
Julian |
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