Our recent Christmas Tree Festival was a successful event. There were twenty-three trees on display, the decorations were related to the theme “Joy to the World”. We had many visitors who were delighted with the display, many of whom commented on the warm and welcoming atmosphere in the Church. Donations were generous and although this event is intended as a community outreach and not primarily as a fundraiser, we collected over £350.00 in donations at the door by providing hot drinks and including the proceeds from the concert on Saturday evening. Many thanks to everyone who gave their time to make this event such a success. Sue Brooks.
I would like to thank everyone who so kindly donated items for our stall at the Festive Fayre. We were thrilled with the response and the amount raised towards Church funds. With that still in mind, please think about this year’s Festive Fayre as you clear away your decorations. Any which might be unwanted or surplus to requirements would be gratefully received. I can collect them if necessary and store them until the Festive Fayre in November. Many thanks. Sue Barker – 07887 361249.
Fundraising – The first event for 2024 will be a Boot Fair, which will take place on Saturday 13th January. Tables are £10.00 each so if anyone knows anyone who would like to hire one, please point them in our direction. They can be booked via the Parish Office.
Please note that there is no Children’s Church in January but there will be a Sunday Praise Service on Sunday 14th January celebrating The Baptism of Christ.
Charities for 2024 – Over the last few weeks, the members of the worshipping community at St Peter’s have been suggesting charities that we might like to support during 2024. A small group was charged by the PCC to choose two (one local and one international charity) from the many suggested. I’m pleased to announce that the charities that we will be supporting this year are Pathway and Smile Train. Information can be found out about them below, and we will be sharing more details about this in the New Year. Many thanks to all who suggested so many worthy charities and causes. Rev’d Matt.
https://www.pathway.org.uk/ https://www.smiletrain.org.uk/
Thank you to those who make it possible to run St Peter’s Toddler Group but more volunteers are desperately needed for the year ahead. If you can spare a couple of hours once or twice a month during term time and would be happy to chat to families and enjoy a cuppa, please let Laura know in the Parish Office. The sessions run from 9.30am – 11.00am on Thursday mornings in the Main Hall. Thank you.
Garden of Remembrance – I am very pleased to report that most of the items requested in my previous notice have been received. Much appreciation to all the kind people who have donated them. I now only need a wheelbarrow and loppers. Please let me know by ringing (01843) 602287 if you can spare either of these. Don Bumpstead. Thank you.
Thanet Food Link – Thank you so much for all those who give so generously to this food bank. Due to rising demand, they are desperately in need of tinned meals, pasta sauce, hot dogs (jars or tins), cereal bars. Items can be left in Church on a Sunday 9.30am – 11.00am or Wednesday morning 10.00am – 12 noon. Please would you bring donations of food into Church and not leave them in the South Porch. The baskets are in Church on the pews behind the information shelf, on the South side. This has become necessary because of recent thefts. Thank you. Sylvia Mills.
Rough Sleeping; The Homeless – Thank you for the many wonderful donations. With the colder weather having arrived, I am collecting for the rough sleepers. There is a box in the Church Porch. I will take your gifts to The Salvation Army in Ramsgate. Please donate gloves, hats and thick socks. The Salvation Army takes hot soup, food and clothing to rough sleepers and also offers breakfast in its building in Ramsgate. (If you are concerned for someone who is sleeping rough you can report the circumstances to thestreetlink.org.uk/start ). Thank you for your help. June Binfield.
The first Canterbury COP (Conference of the Parishes) event was held recently during which speakers and guests discussed what can be done within the Diocese of Canterbury to combat climate change. Find out more by following the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3Gqx-_3zTw If you want to know more and become involved in what we are doing at St Peter’s, contact Rev’d David Tate ((01843) 447861) who also acts as ECO Champion for Thanet Deanery. We want to lead the way and have achieved a Silver Award for what St Peter’s does and teaches in response to climate change and protecting God’s creation. Climate change is not going away.
St Peter’s Old Boys and Community Association – Don’t know what to do with your postage stamps? Why not bring them in to us? We are collecting for the RNIB. (These can be brought into the Parish Office or left in post box outside.) Thanks for your support. St Peter’s Old Boys.
Missing – Can you help to be the ears and eyes of our Church family? Do you care about those around you? If the answer is yes, then next time you’re in Church look around you. If a familiar face has been missing for some weeks do something about it – make enquiries, make a phone call, mention it to someone. THIS IS NOT BEING NOSEY but showing concern for our Church family. Next time it could be you missing from that pew.
If you would like to receive by email our weekly Pew Sheet and News Sheet with details of services and events, please register your email address with the Church (parishoffice@stpeterinthanet.org.uk). You can also check out and follow us on Facebook. Thank you.
Photographs – Please do not take photos during the service. If you want to take them after the service has finished, please ensure you only take a picture of your own child or family member. Please obtain permission from anyone else before you take their photo. Thank you.
To check your eligibility and apply for a Canterbury Cathedral Pass, see https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/visit/the-cathedral-pass/
Morning Prayer is held via Zoom on Monday mornings at 9.15am and in Church (in St James’s Chapel) on Wednesday mornings at 9.15am. Please enter the Church through the 1832 door. For the Zoom link, please contact Rev’d Alice at revalice@stpeterinthanet.org.uk and she will email you the link.
The Monday Home Group meets weekly at 2.30pm at 92 Dumpton Park Drive, Broadstairs, CT10 1RL, and we look forward to spending a good hour reflecting on Bible readings heard in Church the previous day; as always, we end with a cup of tea and a time of prayer. We share insights from a variety of backgrounds and Bible versions – all of which add to our wonder at the God who loves us so much. As each of our meetings is a stand-alone, please do join us, even for one session! More details (and/or if you’d like a lift) from Michael and Elspeth Cooke on (01843) 863293.
‘Hour of Prayer’ in Church on Wednesdays 11.00am – 12 Noon – A non-led opportunity to sit quietly with God, to light a candle if you would like to, and – if you feel God has said something to you which you’d like to share – to write that down for others to pray over. Come for as long or as short a time as you like, and be renewed and refreshed by God. Any questions, please contact Rev’d Alice on revalice@stpeterinthanet.org.uk and do come if you can!
The Wednesday Home Group – Our next meeting is on 10th January when we will be using the last two panels in the Big Frieze to consider Salvation and the Kingdom of God. We are a small group who meet to share Bible passages and to pray together. We meet at 21 Fig Tree Road, CT10 3AQ at 2.30pm on a Wednesday. We share a cup of tea and a chat before you go home. All are welcome. For more information or if you need a lift, please contact junebinfield@outlook.com or (01843) 861286 or 07711 072233.