Mike Polanyk reports on the activities this month at St John the Baptist Church in Fleet Street.
November is the month of Remembrance, when we remember those who have fallen in war, and our own departed loved ones. St John’s will once again host a Peace Festival between 1 November and 14 November. A Peace Garden will be in place and there will be the opportunity for people to leave prayers for peace and for the needs of the world.
The church will be open at all the usual times during the Peace Festival, and refreshments will be available in the cafe in the hall between 10.00am and 12.00noon on Saturdays as normal. There will be some special services to pray for the departed during the festival. We will offer a Requiem Mass for all the Faithful Departed on All Souls’ Day, Saturday 2 November, at 9.15am. On Remembrance Sunday, 10 November, we will hold a Requiem Mass for those who have fallen in war at 10.00am, and a Service of Remembrance at 4.30pm when we will remember, give thanks, and pray for our departed loved ones. On Armistice Day, 11 November, we will hold the traditional two-minutes’ silence and prayers for peace at 11.00am. On Wednesday 13 November, we will offer all the prayers that have been left in the Peace Garden at our regular lunchtime Mass at 1.00pm. All are welcome to join us for any of these services.
As we reported last month we have a Sunday evening Mass on some Sundays throughout the autumn to suit those who cannot make Sunday mornings. This month, these will take place on 17 November and 24 November at 6.00pm.
We are currently considering the time of our Sunday morning service, as some have suggested that 10.00am is too early. We are considering moving it to 11.00am, and would be happy to hear people’s thoughts about that. Would a Sunday morning service at 11.00am make it easier for you to attend worship? Do let our Rector, Fr Dexter Bracey, know on 024 7671 1687.
November ends with our Christmas Fayre on Saturday 30 November between 10.00am and 2.00pm. We will have a host of stalls provided by various groups selling a variety of goods and crafts, including jams & preserves, glass gifts including personalised items, jewellery, knitwear, wooden gifts, handmade craft items, St John’s merchandise, handmade cards, homemade cakes, community stalls, raffle, tombola and festive music. Food and refreshments will be on sale in the church hall. Free admission.
For more information visit www.stjohnthebaptistcoventry.org.uk, Facebook: St.John the Baptist.Coventry. Twitter: @StJohnCoventry.
Mike Polanyk