June 2017


I have had the privilege of taking Holy Communion to the residents of Cygnet Court for about the last 15 years. When Corinne Smith finished her curacy at St Helen’s, she asked me if I would consider taking this duty over from her. With much trepidation and prayer I agreed to take it on. It has been a very uplifting ex- perience, and I have learnt so much about my faith in the preparation I have done each month. I have grown in confidence and I have also met some lovely people, made friends and shared things with them.


I also take Holy Communion to the sick and house- bound, which is very different. It is a quiet reflective time of prayer and worship, sometimes socialising over a cup of tea at the end.


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The ministry of taking Holy Communion to the sick and housebound Barbara Earl


These two ministries are the most rewarding activities I have done, and I have made valuable friendships along the way.


Holy Communion at home is available to all who are unable to come to church , on a temporary or perma- nent basis, and there is a small team of lay people in the parish, as well as the clergy, who are authorised to do this.


If you would like Holy Communion at home, or know someone who would appreciate this ministry, please contact the office and someone will be in touch.


Opening the Book! Carol Worthington


Things seemed rather unusual at the St Helen’s 10.30 Sung Eucharist on Sunday, May 7th. Children assem- bling for Junior Church looked excited – they were wearing animal costumes and face masks; some were acting the parts - quite realistically!


We all gathered expectantly in our pews, the service started in the usual way; the children enjoyed singing the many times repeated ‘Alleluia, amen’ of the Peruvian Gloria just as much as the adults. Very catchy, yet also very reverent.


After the collect, the story of Noah, based on Genesis 6-9, was introduced in the context of ‘starting afresh’. Then, we ‘Opened the Book’ (Lion Story- teller Bible), at the story enti- tled ‘A Special Promise’. The story was read by the story- teller, with dramatic illustration by the adult volunteers, Junior Church and Quest. We all en- joyed the building of the ark, the boisterous entry of the animals, and the frantic efforts needed to clean up after them!


start again; we were asked to reflect, for a short time, on something we needed to start afresh in our own lives.


In conclusion, the reader announced a prayer to the congregation, ‘and if you want to make it your prayer, too, then say amen after me’…


For the gradual hymn, Junior Church led the congregation in a lively rendition of ‘Rise and Shine’, with actions that the congregation cheerfully joined in with. Everyone then settled quietly for the Gospel Reading from John 10, after which Quest members ably led the intercessions.


a Special Promise


It was very appropriate, after our common declaration of faith, to welcome a recently baptised little boy, present him with his candle and share the Peace with him and his parents.


There were wonderful sound effects of rain for the forty days and nights. Ingenious use was made of a bright blue cloth representing the water rising, and the ark rising with it. At last, the ark rested on the moun- tain, Noah sent the raven out of a window – and the rainbow appeared as the sign of God’s ‘Special Prom- ise’.


After the story, we were reminded that if you make a mess of something, you can always do as God did, and


It was very good also, to see a Quest member partici- pating in the Eucharistic Prayer by asking the ques- tions ‘Why do we share this bread and wine?’, and ‘How do we follow Jesus Christ?’, to which the reply ‘Listen and we will hear’ was given.


Overall, this was a very joyous occasion for ‘passing on the good news’, and, most importantly, we received a good number of volunteers, hopefully sufficient to start a team to take ‘Open the Book’ into local schools.


Thanks be to God! Alleluia!


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