Social Events Newsletter – December 2023

SANTA MARGARITA CHURCH, MENORCA

NEWSLETTER – December 2023

For more information

Email Carole Brayford at  info@anglicanchurchmenorca.com Or talk to the Revd Paul

Carole writes :  The first half of November was really mild with some amazing sunshine but it has now reverted to “normal” November weather and there have been some strong northerly winds !  However, warmer than the UK !!

NEWS FROM NOVEMBER !

• Saturday 11 November (Armistice Day) – The service of Prayers for Remembrance in the chapel of St. George on the Isla del Rey was very well attended. 
• Remembrance Sunday service in church on 12 November – a very thoughtful occasion including the 2 minute silence.   Thanks to Paul for putting it together.
• A first class lunch at Can Avelino in Mahon.  Most enjoyable although the official photographer failed to take any photos as did his assistant !
• Regional Clergy Conference.  In early November Paul hosted clergy from the Balearics and Northern Spain in Binbequer for one of their twice yearly meetings – Adrian Green (Ibiza), Ishanesu Gushta (Palma, Mallorca), Bill Boyce (Puerto Pollença, Mallorca) John & Deborah Chapman (Barcelona & Andorra).  Normally there would be chaplains from Costa Brava and Madrid but both are currently in interregnum.  Discussions included general chaplaincy developments as well as items coming from the Diocese which affect the Chaplaincies .  A retreat in Barcelona in May next year is being planned.
• PCC meeting.  A very useful (albeit longer than usual) PCC meeting was held in mid November.  Amongst many other things discussed were the installation of solar panels on the church roof.  The PCC are in favour of this work on environmental grounds and we have a sponsor who has agreed to meet the cost.  Kate Strudwick (our Environmental Officer) and Colin Guanaria are progressing this. 
• Baptism of Emily Rose.  In November we enjoyed welcoming another family to church for the baptism of little Emily Rose –photographed with her parents Eva and Craig.

EVENTS FOR DECEMBER 2023

• Sunday 17 December 18.00 – Christmas Lessons and Carols.  The  service of Lessons and Carols will be in the church and will be followed by mince pies and mulled wine.
• Chaplaincy Lunch – Thursday 21 December 1pm at Sala Polivalent (by the Esplanada).  Carole is not on the island to organise this but Liz Astley is very kindly arranging it.  Do sign up on the sheet on the Notice Board – or let Paul or Liz know you will be there.
• Details of the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services are on the church website.

Outreach to the Wider Community –

• Christmas Food Parcels.  As in the past we are planning to contribute to Christmas food parcels(/vouchers for those in need in Es Castell.  Paul and Kathy Rossetti have been in talks with officials at the Townhall about the implementation of this.
• Food Bank. A donation of 1000€ will shortly be made to the local Food Bank to provide meal vouchers. 700€ of this has been raised from our weekly Coffee sales on Sunday mornings.  Thanks to Liz Astley and Kathy Rossetti for their faithful service in organising this each week. 
• Ukraine. A collection of milk powder for babies in Ukraine, was organised during November through the Mahón town hall.   As well as the donations of powdered milk we will be able to contribute 500€ towards the transportation costs to Odessa (200€ from the Sunday coffee fund (thanks again to Liz and Kathy) + further funds which have been donated) 
• Peru – In addition to the 500€ general support which we have already sent to Peru, the PCC has agreed to set aside a further 1000€ as part of our annual mission giving for 2023. The majority of this will be directed to support two Peruvian students in Lima who have been identified as in need.  More detail in the January newsletter.

GENERAL

• Holidays !  Paul and Kate are taking a well earned short break at the beginning of December.  Please pray for rest and refreshment for them both.  Also please pray for Kate who had a nasty accident recently, fracturing a wrist on one arm and an elbow on the other.  Pray for swift healing and respite from pain. 
• In Paul’s absence Archdeacon David Waller will be presiding and preaching on 3 December.
• The church website – https://anglicanchurchmenorca.com/   Do use the church website which should have up to date information about what is happening – although don’t stop reading this Newsletter !!
• The weekly services of Holy Communion are recorded each week and can be easily accessed via a link.  If you are not on island or cannot be in church but would like to follow the service, contact Paul and he will add you to the weekly email that he sends out with details of the access link.
• The PCC currently comprises – the Rev. Paul, the church wardens – Trevor Jones (also Archdeaconry Synod representative) and David Green, as well as Margaret Jones (Archdeaconry Synod representative and church and PCC secretary), Liz Astley, Colin Guanaria, Suzanne Hodges (treasurer) and Carole Brayford.  The next meeting is in January 2024.

If anyone is willing to host a future social event – coffee morning, afternoon tea, or simple tapas that would be much appreciated.  Please let Carole know.  LUNCH VENUE RECOMMENDATIONS ALWAYS WELCOME !

This is the last NewsLetter of the year.

Wherever you are in the world – in Menorca or elsewhere – we wish you a very happy and blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with good health and joy. 

We hope to see you soon !!