Pew News for Sunday 14th September

St Catherine - St Christopher - St Laurence - St Mark - St Mary

THE PARISH OF ST LAURENCE-IN-THANET

Five Churches United in Christ

Pew News

14^th September 2025

Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

Welcome to this church

Please be aware that the choice for communion is bread and wine or bread only, tincturing (dipping the bread) is no longer condoned by the diocese. If you require a gluten-free wafer, or non-alcoholic wine please let our sides-people/greeters know before the service starts.

READINGS FOR TODAY

Jeremiah 4.11-12,22-28 Psalm 14 1 Timothy 1.12-17 Luke 15.1-10

COLLECT FOR TODAY

Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were, in Christ, reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you. Through him, who was lifted up on the cross and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit – one God, now and for ever.

PEOPLE FOR PRAYER

Amanda, Graham, Katherine, Keith, Jonathan, Gill, Andrew, Nicky, Shirley, Dave S, Adam, Orla, Frederick, Val, David, Peter, Matt, Alistair, Roy, Gillian, Torben, Sharon, Sheila, Maggie, Pete, Geoff, Doreen, Judith, Susan, Steve, Mick, Pam

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower.” - Albert Camus

What’s on this Week

TODAY, 14^th September

18:30 Evening Worship St Mark – CM

Psalm 124, John 5:31-47

MONDAY 15^th

09:30 – 12:00 Coffee Morning - IPF St Christopher

11:00 Battle of Britain Service Spitfire and Hurricane Museum – BG

TUESDAY 16^th

10:30 – 11:30 Belleplates St Mark

Contact Jan Austin

16:00 Family Walk and Picnic St Catherine – CT & Graham

Start and finish at St Cath’s – walk to Pegwell Bay beach.

Reflections on biblical landscapes and the sea. Contact Catherine

18:30 – 19:30 Beginner’s bellringing practice St Laurence Tower

19:00 Home Group – Bible Study St Mark

Contact 01843 583103 if you are interested in joining this group

19:30 – 21:00 Bellringing practice St Laurence Tower

WEDNESDAY 17^th

10:00 – 12:00 Churchyard Group St Laurence

Contact Barbara Byne

10:00 – 12:00 Knit and Natter St Mark Lounge

50p contribution for refreshments.

Contact Frances Barnes

19:00 Home Group – Crossroads Bible Study St Mark

Contact Norma Wright peterena12@outlook.com

THURSDAY 18^th

14:00 Thursday Fellowship St Mark Lounge

Contact Prim Williamson

14:00 – 16:00 Acorn Club St Laurence Parish Hall

Social Club aimed at older members of all of our churches. Contact Marion

18:30 ** New - Midweek Communion St Christopher CT & Dan

19:00 Deanery Synod All Saints Church, Birchington

FRIDAY 19^th

11:00 Prayer Meeting St Mark

SATURDAY 20^th

10:00 – 14:00 Open Church St Laurence

10:00 – 11:30 Beginners’ Bell-ringing Practice St Laurence Tower

11:00 – 13:00 Parish-wide Pastoral Course St Christopher

See notices for more detail.

15:00 Wedding St Laurence – CT & Barrie

SUNDAY 21^st

12:00 Baptism – Moore St Laurence - CT

12:00 Baptism - Erin St Catherine - BG

14:00 Café Church St Christopher Kevin & Sharon

Notices and Forthcoming Events

St Laurence relaunches Sunday School this autumn for children aged 4yrs-11yrs - called Rock Solid 2 - it starts on Sunday 12 Oct and then monthly Sunday 9 Nov and Sunday 14 Dec and onwards - it will be fun packed. Led by Marcia Neve, Andrea Holmes and Kelly Gooding - these leaders are experienced with children with autism and ADHD. All children and parents are welcome. Arrive 9.50am at the actual church for 10am start, ends 11.30am.

FAMILY WALKS: Start and finish at St Catherine’s. Bring a picnic tea to have at the church afterwards. Drinks will be provided. Our final one for this season is 4pm Tues 16 September – we look forward to seeing you.

Walk 4: Walking with Biblical Landscape During this walk to Pegwell Bay, biblical landscapes will be brought to our imaginations.

Contact Catherine for any more detail.

SPIRITUALITY HOUR: Spirituality Hour Peace filled Night Prayer & Meditation continues…and launching a new theme for the reflections ‘biblical geography’ - monthly at St Laurence in the candlelit Beckett Chapel – refreshments at 7pm for 7.30pm, 1st October, 5th November, 3 December with Advent theme.

MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY, DISCUSSION & REFRESHMENTS AT THE RECTORY: Weds evenings 6.30pm at the St Laurence Rectory with discussion & refreshments. Weds 15 Oct, 19 Nov, 10 Dec and will continue in 2026. This is starting up for those new to faith and also for anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of the Bible and feel part of a supportive group. All are welcome from across the whole Parish.. Led by Revd Catherine.

PARISH WIDE PASTORAL COURSE: to increase the number of Lay people able and confident in pastoral care within this Parish and home-visiting – please speak to your church’s Focal Minister or LLM Reader if you are interested in attending. Venue: St Christopher’s 11am- 1pm Saturdays 20 Sept 18 Oct, 15 Nov.

Session 1: 20 Sept: Listening Skills with Marcia Neve; 4 strategies for helping others with Yasmin Bailey;

Good Visit v a Bad Visit with Revd Brian Griffiths; Safeguarding principles & signposting with Revd Catherine Tucker & PSO Kevin Spain

Session 2: 18 Oct: Grief Work with Revd Ken Cox; Mental Health & Dementia with Revd Catherine Tucker & LLM Judith Andrews; Physical Disability with LLM Frances Barnes; Pastoral Conversational Skills with Revd Ken Cox

Session 3: 15 Nov: Resolving Conflicts within Family settings with Revd Phil Barnes; Working with

Diversity & Difference with Revd Catherine Tucker

ART EXHIBITION: 27 September – 10 October. Open daily lunchtimes: 12–2pm Thursday evenings: 6–8pm “Seasons of Faith: From my heART” A painting exhibition by Michael Williamson – personal view of the church seasons calendar in St Laurence Church. For any enquires: rectorcatherine@stlaurenceparish-ramsgate.org.uk

ST LAURENCE CLOCK RESTORATION APPEAL: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

1st November: Quiznight at St Laurence Parish Hall.

19th December: A Christmas Concert by The Thanet Light Orchestra in St Laurence Church.

SHOE BOX SCHEME: Malcolm Story writes: A question about Blythswood Care, and the shoe box scheme. I know that Zoe was a keen advocate for the scheme in St Laurence parish. But I can't remember if there was anyone else in the parish also involved, or who that might want to be. If interested please contact Marion

EASY FUNDRAISING: If you shop on line then you could earn % for church funds via https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/st-laurence-in-thanet-parish Partners in this scheme include: ARGOS, TESCO, JOHN LEWIS, EBAY, JUST EAT…

THANET FOOD BANK: All foods and toiletries are gratefully received but the following are in short supply: soup, long-life milk, tinned meals, packet meals.

WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY 21^st September, 2025

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

Jeremiah 8:18 – 9:1, Psalm 79:1-9, 1Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13

ST LAURENCE

10:00 Communion Rev Catherine

ST CATHERINE

10:00 Service of the Word Cheryl Belsey & Rev Brian Griffiths

ST MARK

10:00 Service of the Word LLM Judith Andrews

18:30 Evening Service Christine Martin

John 6:48-59, John 6: 60-71

ST CHRISTOPHER

ST MARY

10:00 Communion Rev Phil Barnes

PARISH OFFICE

2 Newington Road, Ramsgate, CT11 0QT, 01843 592478

Please note that the office has volunteers manning it. Regularly, this is Steve on a Thursday morning and Barbara on a Friday morning (9-11am).

Here are some useful contacts:

Team Rector: Reverend Catherine Tucker rectorcatherine@stlaurenceparish-ramsgate.org.uk /

Parochial Wardens: Sharon Cutler warden2@stlaurenceparish-ramsgate.org.uk

Kevin Spain kmschurchwarden@hotmail.com

PCC Secretary We are over-joyed to say that Malcolm Story is taking on this role. pccsecretary@stlaurenceparish-ramsgate.org.uk

Parish Treasurer: Alison Willoughby-Browne treasurer@stlaurenceparish-ramsgate.org.uk

Baptism Clerk: Kelly Gooding baptisms@stlaurenceparish-ramsgate.org.uk

Wedding Clerk ** Alison Willoughby-Browne (temp) weddings@stlaurenceparish-ramsgate.org.uk

Safeguarding: Kevin Spain kmschurchwarden@hotmail.com

Anna Chaplain: Judith Andrews judithandrewsllm@outloook.com

Pew News: Julia Penn diamond-jules@hotmail.co.uk

St Mark’s Church 07352 166932

** We are looking for a replacement for Sue Booker, since she moved away. Is there anyone who would like to put themselves forward for this role? Alison W-B is able to give more detail about what it entails, if you are thinking that you are capable. See above for her contact details.

The Pew News is prepared on a Wednesday afternoon and printed copies are produced on a Thursday morning.