Monday 29 November 2021

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I need to let you know that I will be on medical leave for 2 weeks from later today, Monday 29th November, until Monday 13th December. I will not generally be answering work emails during that time. I am very grateful for your prayers and your support.

During my absence, all will continue as usual, thanks to David and our very capable churchwardens, Sue and Martin. If you have any questions, please contact Maria in the office (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings) or Sue or Martin.

Next Sunday, 5th December, we will be offering Junior Church and crèche, and the children will be practising for the Nativity Play. Please do remember to book your seats and also bring your COVID certificates and ID with you.

Sunday 12th December, we will hold our Nativity Play. A very big thank you to Tricia for organsing this. Again please remember to book your seats and also bring your COVID certificates and ID with you. We expect a larger congregation.

If you are unable to attend church on these Sundays you can participate online at https://www.stursula.ch/Services/
A big thank you to Hector, Martin and Art for all their hard work in making this possible.

Men's Group: this will meet in person at 11.30am on Sunday 5th December at the Church House. Please contact David if you are interested in attending.

Remembering Claire Morgenthaler
Many of you will remember Claire Morgenthaler, a long term member of this community who died in September. Those who would like the opportunity to share memories of Claire with other friends are invited to an informal gathering in the Lower Hall, on Sunday 5th December, 11.30am. Please contact Art Funkhouser for more information.

I want to say a HUGE thankyou to all those who worked so hard to organise the Christmas Bazaar. I know that so much work went into this. It was a very successful and enjoyable event and so many people in the church and wider community appreciated it.

While I am absent, the lectio divina group will meet via zoom as usual on Thursday mornings, 10.30am. Brian Morgan has kindly offered to lead these sessions. If you would like to know more please contact Brian on bmorgan@bcmconsult.ch

COVID regulations
As you will be aware the COVID cases are rising sharply in Switzerland. Let us be careful to maintain social distancing and to wear masks properly to help to protect one another. Thank you for your co-operation.

Advent hymn
We are now in the season of Advent when we look to the first coming of Christ as a tiny baby but also to his second coming in glory. This is captured in the wonderful Advent hymn Lo, he comes with clouds descending:

1 Lo, he comes with clouds descending,
once for favoured sinners slain;
thousand thousand saints attending
swell the triumph of his train:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ appears on earth to reign.

2 Every eye shall now behold him
robed in dreadful majesty;
those who set at naught and sold him,
pierced and nailed him to the Tree,
deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
shall the true Messiah see.

3 Those dear tokens of his passion
still his dazzling body bears,
cause of endless exultation
to his ransomed worshippers:
with what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture
gaze we on those glorious scars!

4 Yea, Amen, let all adore thee,
high on thine eternal throne;
Saviour, take the power and glory,
claim the kingdom for thine own:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
thou shalt reign, and thou alone.

With love in Christ,
Helen