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PCC Meeting with a Difference
Our next PCC meeting will be on Wednesday 25th September at Abbotsbury Church at 7pm. The first part of the meeting will be a joint gathering with Saint Luke's PCC, and after all opening worship, we will hear from the Teignbridge lead for Christians Against Poverty. Our hope is that CAP will not only become one of our nominated mission organisations next year, receiving financial support, but that we may be able to work with St Lukes to set up a CAP hub to support people struggling with their finances. This is one of the practical ways we want to develop our relationship with Saint Luke's over the coming years. Please pray for both PCC's as they meet.
A Christmas Journey
This week I will be sending letters to all of the primary schools in the town and surrounding area, inviting them to send their Year 2 children to our dramatic presentation of the Christmas story. Once again we will be transforming Abbotsbury church into the shepherds’ fields, the wise men's tent, the temple courtyards and the home of Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus. As last year we will be looking for lots of volunteers to take part. The event will run during the first full week of December. Why not block off that week now and make the decision to come and be part of the team. It will be a wonderful way to get your heart and mind ready for Christmas!
Prayer Gatherings
The next EVENING PRAYER GATHERING will be on Monday 9th September at 7:45pm at St Paul’s.
Autumn Identity Course
If you are new to the Christian faith, still exploring what you believe about Jesus, or wanting to prepare for adult baptism or confirmation, then the first step is to take part in the 7-week Identity Course. The course works through John’s gospel and also makes time to answer some of the most common objections to the Christian faith; such as what about suffering? Do I have to go to church? Etc. The course starts on Tuesday 17th September.
Adult Baptism
ADULT BAPTISM: We are planning to hold another service with adult baptism by immersion at Abbotsbury Church on Sunday on 3rd November. If you haven’t yet been baptised and would like to be baptised in this way, you’ll need to book on the Identity course above!
Parish Library
Through the Speaking Volumes programme, we were given a grant of £250 to spend on books for a Parish Library. Our Parish Lending Library is now up and running at Paul’s where it will be for the next 3 weeks. The selection includes some great autobiographies, and plenty more to help deepen our faith and equip us to share it well. We will set it up in each church for a month at a time. There will be a note book to write down the book you borrowed so we can keep track of who has what. The selection includes some great autobiographies, and plenty more to help deepen our faith and equip us to share it well. Thanks to Choice Words staff for supplying the books. Do take a look when it comes to your church!
First Saturday Outreach in Town
Fr Matthew and Dave are planning to do some outreach in town every first Saturday of the month, probably from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or thereabouts. They are looking for volunteers to come and join them for an hour or so each time. Could that be you? If so, come and chat with Dave over the coming weeks.
Milk Bottle Tops
St. Luke’s are collecting for the Childrens’ Hospice South West. Please save your plastic tops (not cartons) and send them to the office or leave them in church to be brought to the office. Thank you.
BEWARE - SCAM!
Churches in Devon are being warned to be on the alert for an email scam in which fake emails are being sent out which look like they are from a bishop or the local vicar.
In fact they are a fraud, designed to trick recipients into doing the sender a 'favour' by buying online gift cards for them.
Some people have lost thousands of pounds before realising their bishop or vicar has not really emailed them and they have been conned.
Police Advice
Action Fraud, a national police scheme, offers the following advice about scam emails:
The first email typically reads something like “[name], are you free at the moment?” or it may be more detailed, such as “Do you have a moment I have a request I need you to handle discreetly. I am currently busy… so no calls just reply to my email.”
A reply then draws the recipient into a dialogue in which they are encouraged to buy vouchers, and ultimately send images of their serial and security numbers to the fraudster.
Please click here to read the full story and for detailed advice about spotting scam emails.
Stay Safe Online
Missed some church services?
Catch up on You Tube - same series in each church
Abbotsbury Church YOUTUBE
St Paul's Church YOUTUBE
Parish Office Hours.
Parish Office at St Paul's Church, Devon Square is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For all enquiries, please phone 01626 211346 or email office@newtonabbotparishes.co.uk
Mel Dunn, Benefice Administrator.
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