Church Council Meeting
The Church Council met on Monday evening.  The main items considered were:

• The forthcoming vacancy and recruitment process for a new Vicar
• Our children and youth work
• We agreed a budget for 2024 (thank you to everyone who gives to the work of St Stephen’s)
• Various options for our church banking
• We agreed to purchase a defibrillator to be kept in the building.

Christmas Fair
A big big thank you to everyone who helped or came to our Christmas Fair. An amazing £4,400 was raised for the work of Ealing Churches Winter Night Shelter.
(All our Christmas puddings sold quickly – if you are someone who bought one, we will welcome any returned bowls and lids after Christmas for next year if you can!  Jane Maffett, Caroline Jamieson or Ruth Robinson
 
Double your donation to the Grove by Tuesday 5 Dec
Mark Tate’s team on the Grove are launching a Community Grocery with supporting projects next year. Any donations for this before next Tuesday can be doubled through The Big Give Christmas Challenge. Click here for more and to donate.
 
COP28 Prayers and Action
COP28 begins today, 30 November till 12 December, in Dubai, UAE. Most countries of the world will be represented at the UN Climate Negotiations. Much hangs in the balance, as each country has it's own concerns and interests they hope to advance. The promised Loss and Damage Fund agreed at last year's COP is not yet set up, meaning that those most affected by climate change in the Global South still struggle with the damaging effects of severe weather events caused by our warming world. Fossil Fuels are still being promoted over Renewable alternatives. What can we do as individuals and together?

PRAY! For those in power to take action on the Climate Crisis, and for the voices of the Global South to be heard in their decision-making.

ACT! Join us in the Global Day of Action with the Faith Bloc on Sat 9th December at 12 noon in St. James Square, SW1.

Contact Sue Charlton for details: 07908840954.
 
Marmalade, pots and jars
Demand for home-made marmalade outstrips capacity! Thanks to all who came to buy at the Christmas Fair last Saturday. You may not believe it, but new jars, labels etc arrived today for the New Year marmalading season - as Seville oranges are available for just a few weeks. If anyone would like to join me to help the preparation of making it, do contact me. All used jars and pudding basins would be most gratefully received for re-use too. Just bring to church and leave on the shelving opposite the Vestry.
 
St David's Hymns of Praise
The St David's Team from St Stephen's will be holding a Carols of Praise at St David's on Sunday December 10th at 2 30pm. Choir members would especially be welcome. 
 
Parish Prayer
This fortnight we are praying for those who live in Gurnell Grove, and for our partners at The Grove Community Church in its mission to the community.  Please do pray for all who live there and for people to come to know Jesus.
 
Prayer for the Week
Almighty God,
as your kingdom dawns,
turn us from the darkness of sin to the
light of holiness,
that we may be ready to meet you
in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.