St Mary Magdalene, Great Hampden

Benefice Notices

1. Appointment of Families Outreach Worker

   Holy Trinity, Prestwood is delighted to announce that after a rigorous recruitment process Frances Pauls has been appointed our new Families Outreach Worker. Frances comes from a professional fashion and accountancy background, and has experience of voluntary work in a church environment. Frances came to know HTP through toddlers and was a massive fan of all the family events that we offer. She is very excited to be giving back, and contributing to family life at church as well as getting to know more members of the church and congregation. Her sons Frank and Ralph, and mostly her husband Michael, are very excited to act as her at-home-craft-testers as her crafting ideas take on new heights. 

   Frances starts in her new role on Monday, December 4.

2. Great Hampden '2023 and Beyond' Project Update

   

   We have reached an important milestone in the Great Hampden ‘2023 and Beyond’ Project. Thanks to generous donations, pledges, grants, and fund raising we have now raised a total of £235,000.
   This means we can proceed with the main phase of the works.

   Work has already begun in the North Aisle, but public worship will continue in church until Christmas, albeit with some disruption.

   After Christmas the church building will close to public worship for a period of about 12 weeks whilst the main works take place. (Details of rearranged worship will follow.)
   During this closure the floor and ramp works will take place in the nave, and the new lighting, heating, and audio systems will be installed.

   After that we will be left with repairs to the stonework and the floor in the chancel, and the restoration of decorative stonework and redecoration throughout the church for the first time in almost a century.

   We are now actively fundraising for the final £60,000 needed to finish the job. If we can reach our total before March 2024 we can roll the works on into the main phase. This means we will save money and get the job done before the first wedding of 2024 in May.
   If not, we will continue to fund-raise and plan to close the church again for these works to take place in the autumn/winter of 2024.

   Please help us reach our target of £60,000 as quickly as possible so we can get the job done. HOW CAN YOU HELP? Go to www.greathampden.org.uk/project.
   Please can you make a commitment to support our appeal with a monthly pledge for the next three years?
   At www.greathampden.org.uk/project you can
   DOWNLOAD OUR THREE YEAR PLEDGE FORM.
   Download our Leaflet
   Give Securely Online now with JustGiving
   Fundraise for us!

3. Advent Book Group

   

   This year we will be reading The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder. The book takes the form of an advent calendar with one chapter per day. Although intended for a younger audience it is a rewarding read for all ages.

   There is also the option to meet to discuss the book. This will take place on Sunday evenings at 8pm, and will be hosted online to allow everyone to join from the comfort of their homes. We will start on the 10th December and then see where the discussion takes us. 

   Online link: https://meet.google.com/rpr-kwvm-rzw.

   Books are available from the office for £8. For more information, contact Kayleigh (kayleigh@htprestwood.org.uk).

   Synopsis: Fifty years ago a girl disappeared from her home in Norway. She ran after a lamb and found herself travelling right across Europe to Palestine, and back through 2000 years to meet the Holy Family in Bethlehem. There she met angels, shepherds, wise men and other biblical characters who joined her on her pilgrimage; and she heard of many of the things that happened in the world in the last 2000 years. In present-day Norway, a boy acquires a strange old Advent calendar. Hidden in each of the windows is a tiny piece of paper. Little by little these pieces unfold the girl's story and as we learn what happened to her, another story is revealed - that of the strange old man who made the calendar.

4. Prestmas - Saturday 2nd December, 4pm – 7pm

   We shall again be taking part in the village ‘Prestmas’ Christmas evening. Along with doing some children’s crafts of lolly stick Reindeers and Christmas trees, we have the Chocolate tombola and some of the Christmas crafts from the Bazaar to sell. If you can spare an hour to help, please let Barbara know. It should be fun. Come along and see us!

5. Advent Carol Service - Sunday 3rd December, 6 - 7pm

   

   All are welcome to join us at our Advent Carol Service on Sunday 3rd December at 6pm. On a journey from Darkness to Light, join us for a varied programme of choir music, hymns and readings to mark Advent: the season of watching and waiting for Jesus’ arrival.

6. Missenden Abbey Christmas Market - 3rd December, 12pm - 4pm

   

   Holy Trinity Prestwood have a stall at the Missenden Abbey Christmas Market on 3rd December. We will be selling preserves, cakes and craft items. If you could bake a cake, that would be great - covered and a list of ingredients attached, please. Any home made jams, pickles, along with a list of ingredients etc. to be given to Jean Green who will put labels and covers on them in line with our HTP presentation. If you have hand-made craft items you wish to donate, an indication of price would be appreciated.

   Please support on the day by coming and buying!

7. Craft & Praise | Advent

   

   Join us for our next Craft & Praise where we explore all things Advent. Saturday 9th December, 3pm-5pm, in the Church. If you are able to help with a table (no craft skills or preparation required) then please let Barbara or Kayleigh know. If you would like to attend please email kayleigh@htprestwood.org.uk - booking isn't essential but it does allow us to provide enough resources for everyone. 

8. Christmas Day Lunch

   Once again a Christmas Day lunch for those who might otherwise be on their own, will take place in Great Missenden Baptist Church Hall from 12.30-3.20pm. There will be a full Christmas lunch, followed by entertainment, raffle and the Kings Speech. Transport can be arranged locally.
   Helpers are needed, both on Christmas Eve (Sunday) in the afternoon, preparing vegetables, decorating tables etc from 2-4pm and on Christmas Day itself, volunteer drivers to transport guests to and from the hall, serving meals, serving sherry and tea, helping guests with coats and tidying up the hall. Raffle prizes will also be gratefully received. If you are able to help with any of these jobs please contact Mary Spooner on maryspooner127@hotmail.com or 01494 86243l. Helpers are, of course, welcome to join in the meal. Please contact Mary also if you would like to be a guest.

9. Easy Fundraising

   

   If you are looking for quick and easy ways to donate to the church then we would like to draw your attention to EasyFundraising. It's a great way to donate to your chosen charity as you shop. If you are keen to find out more and how you can help Holy Trinity Church, Prestwood then you can get more information here - Holy Trinity Church - Prestwood Fundraising | Easyfundraising 

    

10. Request from our Prestwood Foodbank

    We get many generous donations via the supermarkets towards our Foodbank. Unfortunately, due to the hazardous nature of cleaning materials, they are not included in the list given to supermarkets but are still essential items.
    At the moment we have a shortage of household cleaning products such as bleach, antibacterial spray, kitchen / bathroom cleaner etc. If you are able to donate such items, please could you drop them off at the church office or give to a member of our clergy who will keep them under lock and key until we can move them to our foodbank storage. Many thanks.