Notices and Events

The next Julian meeting will be on Thursday 19th November at 4.30pm. This meeting is a monthly opportunity to sit in silent prayer in church for thirty minutes.

*PEOPLE’S EMERGENCY BRIEFING FILM – BEESTON* Have you seen this free film yet? All welcome to join a screening, either: Wed 25th November 7.30pm or Mon 7th December 1pm. Nine leading UK scientists and experts talk about the climate and nature crises, with the latest evidence and why it matters for things like: Extreme weather, Food security, Health, Cost of living, Nature loss.

“It felt uplifting, empowering, engaging, revitalising, informative. It left me wanting to double down on my own efforts and reminded me to do it together, not alone”

Suitable for age 16+ *Reserve your FREE ticket:* Wed 25th Nov 7.30pm, Methodist Church, Chilwell Rd, Beeston NG9 1EH https://buytickets.at/pebnotts/2479010 or phone 0115 9431164. Monday 7th Dec 1pm, Middle Street Resource Centre, 74 Middle Street, Beeston NG9 2AR https://buytickets.at/pebnotts/2484850

Concert Saturday 28th November 7pm: An evening of seasonal music, classical masterpieces and choral favourites on the eve of Advent. Featuring performances from: South Notts Men’s Chorus Performing a festive selection of seasonal favourites and timeless Christmas classics. Reuben Lee (Concert Pianist). A solo performance of classical piano masterpieces, including Chopin: Nocturne in E-flat Major (Op. 9 No. 2), Waltz in C-sharp minor (Op. 64 No. 2), and 1st Ballade in G minor, Beethoven: Fur Elise, Lizst: Liebestraum No. 3, Scott Joplin: Maple Leaf Rag, Flute, Cello and Piano Trio A varied selection of classical works, traditional folk tunes and film music. Beeston Voices An uplifting and heartwarming selection from their Christmas repertoire. Light refreshments will be available to purchase during the interval. Tickets £10 Adult, £5 Child (under 18) available to purchase online here: https://snmc.org.uk/tickets/ Also available on the door (subject to availability) Proceeds from the event will support South Notts Men’s Chorus together with our nominated charities Age UK and Broxtowe Youth Homelessness.

Our Advent Messy Church is on Saturday 5th December 3-4:30pm, when we’ll be celebrating the joy of Christmas. Join us for activities, craft and food – all families welcome. We’ll also be having a Christmas Jumper swap, so bring any outgrown jumpers along with you!

Don’t forget, ABC2 meet every Tuesday morning during term-time 9:30am-11am. An informal group for pre-school children and babies and their parents and carers. A donation of £1 per adult and children, plus 50p per additional child is welcomed.

Children’s Society Box Holders: Can all Children’s Society box holders please let me have the boxes as soon as possible so that all monies can be counted and banked before Christmas. Many thanks Pam Holland

Christmas Dinner: The dinner this year will be on Wednesday 16th December. It will be at Blackshale Carvery. You can choose what size carvery you want plus a sweet. The cost will depend on what you choose.  Menus are available from Kaye and must be returned to her by 22nd November. Please put your name on the menu and pay Kaye by 6th December please. Hope you are able to join us.

We are currently looking to appoint a new Parish Safeguarding Officer.

This is a key responsibility in the life of our Parish. The successful candidate would act as the main point of contact for all safeguarding concerns, working closely with the Vicar, PCC and Diocesan Safeguarding Team, ensure the appropriate keeping of records and updating of policies, undertaking all relevant safeguarding training, overseeing the safer recruitment processes and working with the Parish Administrator on DBS checks, reference gathering and promoting awareness of safeguarding procedures within the parish and finally keeping up to date with National and Diocesan guidance. We are committed to safer recruitment and are an equal opportunity employer. All appointments are subject to references, relevant safeguarding training and an enhanced DBS check. For a detailed role description or to arrange an informal discussion, please email Kathryn in the Parish Office beeston.parish@gmail.com

Paul Smith

Paul Smith, who has died recently, worshipped at St Mary’s in the Rylands and at the parish church. All who knew him will recall his strong faith and the importance to him of prayer and worship.  Some in the congregation knew him better and for longer than I did and I asked two of them to add to this.  When I had read their contributions I realized how little I knew about Paul’s gifts and also what an important part St Mary’s has played in the life of the parish.

Pauline Wheelhouse wrote: We got to know Paul in the early sixties at St Mary’s in the Rylands.  He was a good Christian man and joined in with all the activities, he was a lovely ballroom dancer!  When he came to worship at the Parish Church he helped with the Flower Festivals and was a beautiful flower arranger, he always took part.  He will be sadly missed by many.

Philip Hopkinson wrote: I first remember Paul Smith when I lived down the Rylands and went to St Mary’s church on East Crescent and the Sunday School there.

Just before I was confirmed when I was 11 years old, Paul trained me as a server for the 9.00 am service. I was one of a team of 4, the others were Paul himself, Alex Dean and Roger Marshall.  I served with Paul at St Mary’s until I was 18.

I also remember when I was 14, I used to go to ballroom dancing at St Mary’s.

Two years after I got married Brenda and I moved back to Beeston and came to the Parish Church where Paul retrained me as a server.

Paul was head server for many years, until he went to Ilkeston.

He was a true gentleman and friend to us all.

By the time I came to Beeston, Paul was sacristan.  In those days not only frontals and chasubles, but also pulpit falls, lectern ribbons and the apparel on servers’ robes were changed frequently – and we had hymn boards.  Paul did it all, on top of a full time job, running the servers’ team, caring for his mother and for some of the time being secretary of the 8th Beeston Scout Group (where Philip Hopkinson’s mother, Hoppy, was also on the committee).

He trained 3 of our children as servers and, like all the servers, they knew that Paul would have put their robes out ready for them in case they arrived at the last minute on a Sunday morning!  For a short time I helped him set up for Sundays: not only did I learn what to do, but I enjoyed his company and the thoughtful discussions we were able to have.

May he rest in peace and may we all be grateful for Paul’s contributions to St Mary’s and to the parish church.

Pat Atkins

Advance notice – School for Prayer – Looking ahead to Lent 2027.

Do you find prayer puzzling or difficult? Is it the easiest thing in the world?  Do you wish you could do it better?

We are going to offer an opportunity to explore ways of praying during Lent 2027 and you are invited to join us.

For about an hour and a quarter every Saturday morning in church we will explore different ways of praying and things that might help you.

If you would like more information please talk to Fr. Paul.

Auction of Promises: Please come along! Chloe Field is holding an Auction of Promises on Saturday 21st November 4-5:30 in church. There will be refreshments, a chance to hear about the volunteering placement, and to hear about her Mum Lucy’s experiences as a volunteer for the same organisation in Namibia back in 1990-91. There are some amazing offers to bid for – so do have a look in advance here: https://bit.ly/4sUEoXK

Thanks for all your support!