Memmories and Remembrance

November is the month of remembering. All Saints’ Day celebrates men and women in whose lives we have seen the grace of God powerfully at work.  It is an opportunity to give thanks for that grace, and for the wonderful ends to which it shapes a human life; it is a time to be encouraged by the example of the saints; and it is a chance to recall that sanctity may grow in the ordinary circumstances, as well as the extraordinary crises, of human living. We celebrate with Communion at St Katherines at 7pm on 1^st November.

There are many countries in the world today where Christians are martyred for their faith. Believers in Afghanistan are facing death threats; Christians in Uzbekistan, Nigeria and many other countries all around the world face violence, imprisonment and even death.  There are other places in the world such as North Korea where acts of persecution take place, but we don’t see or hear of it.

On the first Sunday, 6^th November, it is the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians and we will mark the day with a special service in the morning at Wadworth and the All Age Sunday School at St Katherine’s at 3pm will look sensitively at the lives of Christian Children throughout the world. This is a time set apart for us to remember thousands of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world who suffer persecution, simply because they confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

The following Sunday is of course Remembrance Sunday and we shall be altering the service times for this day. There will a Holy Communion Service at 9am at Wadworth followed by an Act of Remembrance starting at 10:55 at Wadworth memorial. In the afternoon at St Katherines we have our annual memorial service for those loved one who have died. We will also remember those who have died in the service of their country at this service.

Sunday 20^th marks the start of Prison Week when we have several services focused on Prisons and the Justice system. We have 4 Prisons in Doncaster and a large population of ex-offenders. One of the most serious aspects of being in prison can be the sense of isolation and even abandonment; and one of the most effective witnesses that can be given to prisoners is the assurance that they are not forgotten. ‘When I was in prison, you visited me’, says Jesus and this tells us two things – that Jesus is already with those in prison, as he is with all who live in loneliness (including the loneliness of self-reproach or self-hatred); and that he is waiting for us there.

St Katherine spent considerable time in prison before being executed. St Katherine’s day also falls during Prison week on 25^th November. So we are having all evening Prison Week service at St Katherine’s. On Friday the Church will be open from 10-12 in the morning for those who wish to come and look around. Refreshments will be served. In the evening at 7pm there will a service of Holy Communion with liturgy rich in reference to St Katherine. There will be drinks and refreshments afterwards.

November 27^th is the first Sunday of Advent was we start our preparations for Christmas. All Age Sunday School Christingle will take place at 3pm at St Katherine’s.

Come and remember with us!

Alun