Services

Isleham Posada

“Posada” is the Spanish word for somewhere people stay when
they’re on a journey. 

Each day in the lead-up to Christmas, our knitted figures of Mary and
Joseph travel with their donkey to stay at another place in the village. 

If you would like to host them for a night, please get in touch with Tricia Harrison 
at ricia.harrison@live.co.uk

St Andrew’s Festival of Light at Isleham 

A  spectacular display of a large number of decorated and illuminated Chrictmas trees provided by individuals and organisation from Isleham and roundabouts. It is always worth seeing!

If you missed it there will be a link to a gallery of photos here soon.

Services in the Three Rivers Group Churches - Sunday December 22
Advent 4 

* There is no service at Chippenham on this Sunday *

• 9.30am Isleham: - Morning Praise
   
• 9.30am -Snailwell - Eucharist
   
• 11am Fordham: - Morning Prayer 
   
• 3.30pm Kennett - Christmas Carols

All the orders of service will be found on our website www.threeriverschurches.co.u

Collect

God our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be 
the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, 
so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; 
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. 

Amen

Psalm 80. 1-7

Readings

• A reading from the Old Testament from Micah 5. 2-5a
   

• A reading from the New Testament from Hebrews 10. 5-10
   

• The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ aaccording to Luke 1. 39-55

Post Communion prayer

Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of
the promised saviour: fill us your servants with your grace, that in
all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in
your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen

Services in the Three Rivers Group Churches - Sunday December 29
Christmas 1

• A Greup Service at Snailwell at 10.30am

No other services are planned within the group.

Funeral:  

Baptism:

Wedding:

Confirmations:

• Kathleen Pohl and sons Henry and Thomas Tilbrook on Saturday, November 30 
  at 6.30pm at, Ely Cathedral

School Assemblies

If anyone is keen to join a small team to lead school assemblies 
please contact Reverend Steve.

Have you ever visited your parish church?

If you are a new resident of Isleham or perhaps have just never ventured inside your parish church why not do so today. 

Or perhaps another time would suit you better; the church is usually open every deay from about 9am until about 5pm. 

There are many surprising and marvellous things to see.

We hold a service every Sunday at 9.30am at which you will be warmly welcomed.

Or why not join us at our 

Isleham Coffee Morning -Tuesdays 10am-12noon 

The Tuesday morning coffee and bacon butty crew are back at the St Andrew’s Social Centre , from 10am-12 noon.  All welcome.

The Rector’s Daily Reflections

Each day I produce a short set of reflections on the readings for
Morning Prayer the following day.

If you would like to receive these by email, please let me know. You
can unsubscribe very easily if you decide you don’t want them any
more please email me:
revdsmday@cantab.net30pm 

Services in the Three Rivers Group Churches - Sunday December 29

• A Greup Service at Snailwell at 10.30am

No other services are planned within the group.

All the orders of service will be found on our website www.threeriverschurches.co.u

Children and Holy Communion

All five PCC’s have now agreed that our church family younger children (aged 7 and above) may be admitted to Holy Communion after appropriate instruction. 

Muriel Hood and Ruth Ogden have agreed to instruct our young people. If there are young people in your family who would like to receive communion, then please do speak with them.l

Midweek services update

Revd Steve writes:

Morning Prayer is a great way to start the day: for those of you who would  like to join in, we gather at 8.15 in the church social centre in Isleham on Tuesdays, and in the church at Fordham on Wednesdays and Fridays

I aim to have Morning Prayer available on the churches’ Zoom link at 8.15 each day  on Tuesday to Saturday. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, this will be from the  gathering; on other days it will be just online. Please email me for details of how to join in (see address below).

Each day I produce a short set of reflections on the readings for Morning  Prayer the following day. If you would like to receive these by email, please  let me know. You can unsubscribe very easily if you decide you don’t want them any more!

You can get in touch with me in a number of ways: my email address is
revdsmday@cantab.net; my home phone number is 01638 354866; my 
mobile number is 07871182394 (but please note it spends almost all of its 
time on silent, so I may not notice it ring – please either leave a message or 
send a text); and for old-school paper, I’m at 24 Mildenhall Road, Fordham, 
CB7 5NR.

A reminder that all are welcome to join our midweek services, which currently include 

• Tuesday Morning Prayer at Isleham (in church or at Social Centre) – 8.15am
   

• Wednesday Morning Prayer at Fordham (in church) – 8.15am
   

• Wednesday Compline at Snailwell (in church) – 6.30pm
   

• Wednesday Compline on Zoom (online) – 7pm
   

• Friday Morning Prayer at Fordham (in church) – 8.15am

The mailing list for online Compline is currently being refreshed, so if you would like to stay on it, or join it anew, please email threeriversgroupcambs@gmail.com to let us know1

Services in the Three Rivers Group Churches - Sunday December 1
Advent Sunday

•  9.30am Isleham: - Eucharist
   
• 9.30am -Snailwell - Morning Prayer
  
• 11am Fordham: - Eucharist
     
• 6pm Chippenham: - Advent carols (there is no morning serviuce this Sunday)

All the orders of service will be found on our website www.threeriverschurches.co.u

In person services in church

With due consideration to national guidance from the government and the Church of England in the meantime, I'm pleased to say that we are going ahead with services in-person in church.

However, it's clear that as in all things at present, we must be careful, of ourselves and each other, and for that reason we do ask for your cooperation and understanding where modifications have been made. 

We must, of course, leave the decision whether or not to attend to you and your judgment. While it is generally good to be with other people, we realise that this is not comfortable or sensible for everyone at present, and we continue to pray for and ask God's blessing on all in our parishes, not just those we see in person. 

Two important considerations:

Firstly, in common with all public indoor spaces, we ask that you do not attend an event if you are feeling unwell or experiencing any of the recognised symptoms of COVID. 

As the virus spreads successfully between people without symptoms, please also consider taking a lateral flow test before attending a service, especially if you have been in contact with people beyond your household in recent days.

Secondly, Face coverings are no longer mandatory in public spaces, but if you are not exempt, please consider wearing one while in church to help protect others as local infection rates remain high.

We will continue to ensure good ventilation in our churches, so please come prepared for draughts.

Christian Aid prayer for Ukraine 

God of all peoples and nations, who created all things alive and breathing, united and whole, show us the way of peace that is your overwhelming presence. 

We hold before you the peoples of Ukraine and Russia, every child and every adult. We long for the time when weapons of war are beaten into ploughshares. When nations no longer lift up sword against nation.

We cry out to you for peace.

Protect those who only desire and deserve to live in security and safety. 

Comfort those who fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones

Be with those who are bereaved.

Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression and fill leaders with the wisdom that leads to peace.

Kindle again in us a love of our neighbour and a passion for justice to prevail and a renewed recognition that we all play a part in peace. 

Creator of all hear our prayer and bring us peace. Make us whole.  

Amen.

Weekly notice sheet by email  

We still distribute a copy of the weekly notice sheet by email every Sunday to those who want to keep up-to-date with what's happening in the Group, even when they can't get to church. 

Please let the Parish Administrator know if you'd like to receive a copy.

.......................................................................................................

Prayer for the Nation

If you want to continue, David came across this from the diocese of Oxford which you could read/pray at 6pm each evening:

When we are isolated and alone, we remember God is with us; we place our hands in his hands

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

When we are tired and confused…

He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;

When we are worn out with worry

He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

When we are sick and afraid and if we lose those we love…

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff - they comfort me.

When we face difficulties today and we hope for a better tomorrow…

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

In the face of trouble & difficulty of all kinds, we remember Jesus’ promise of life beyond death…

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

Voluntary suggestions

For lovers of the Anglican choral tradition and Isaiah 6: John Stainer, ‘I saw the Lord’ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC-vCl8Aga4

Part of the current wave of recorded musical Blessings providing comfort and inspiration from different perspectives, here’s one from Ireland, using an ancient text very apt for Trinity Sunday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TascsWZPj8U

Early music fans with time on their hands may like to revel in the glorious sound of John Taverner’s ‘Missa Gloria Tibi Trinitas’: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNwIhVDVKDg

And another chance to hear our former organist at Fordham David Poulter playing J.S. Bach’s ‘Fugue’ in C major (BWV 545)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Qd4wWKMpc

Dementia Friendly Village - Fordham

Fordham is working towards becoming a Dementia Friendly Village. 

Laura Cox-Watson has agreed to be our Dementia Friends Champion. and Has atteneded some training in Cambridge. and has held two sessions to share with the community what she has learned and discuss how Fordham can move forward with this. Laura is also very keen to gain insight from families who have direct experience of living with Dementia.

If anyone would like to contact Laura direct then please do so on either 
07974 409228 or laura1978watson@mac.com

Children and Holy Communion

All five PCC’s have now agreed that our church family younger children (aged 7 and above) may be admitted to Holy Communion after appropriate instruction. 

Muriel Hood and Ruth Ogden have agreed to instruct our young people. If there are young people in your family who would like to receive communion, then please do speak with them.

Is God calling you to something?

There are a few things around which it might be good for our churches to be involved with. If anyone would like to take a more active part in prayer, reading the bible, working with young people, thinking about church growth, visiting baptism families, thinking about our faith, and many other things, then please contact David if this is something God might be nudging you towards.

Back to the top

Duty rotas 

The duty rota can be found on the Notice Board in the church.

Intercessions books

We have new books in each of the churches for people to write down prayer requests. Please write the name of the person who you would like us to pray for and your initials.

Please do not feel locked into this rota, but do arrange your own swaps and indicate on lists in church and the social centre.

Please inform Stuart and Rob Savage of any swaps/changes.

Note:. On Fridays, the bell ringers will lock the church and return key to you.

On Sunday evenings please check that relevant bin is ready for collection on pavement.

Any problems or concerns, please contact Stuart, as above.

Key Contacts:

Alan Ashley -14 St Andrews Close - 780742. 

Julia Brunning - 3 Little London - 780945

Sean Edwards -1 Robins Close - 780241

Mark Fletcher - The Granary- 2B Waterside - 780550 

Stuart Haggett –3 Church Lane - 781737

Richard May - 4 Elwoods Close - 780249 

Mary Wightman -3 Sun Street - 781022

Emergency lockers:

Ruth Ogden -35 Waterside -780646

Rob Savage -38 Sun Sreet - 780218

Second key holder:

Stuart Haggett. 3 Church Lane - 781737