🎵 SACRED SOUNDS 🎵An Evening Recital with Classical Trained Violinist Margo Smith Accompanied by Fiona Blair Saturday 23rd August 2025 at NICHOLFOREST CHURCH Join us for a special evening of music as Margo Smith, accompanied by Fiona Blair, performs a beautiful selection of classical pieces, gently interwoven with touches of jazz to delight and inspire. This thoughtfully curated programme is designed to suit a variety of musical tastes, blending timeless elegance with soulful warmth in the serene setting of our church. 🕊️ All proceeds will support the much-needed renovation of the altar area. A freewill donation will be taken at door 🍷 Wine will be served before the concert 🍴 Canapés will be offered and raffle drawn during the interval Come and be uplifted by the power of music shared in community. 🎶🎹🎼
JOIN NICHOLFOREST CHURCH 100 CLUB TODAY AND YOU COULD BE OUR NEXT WINNER We are excited to announce the launch of our 100 Club. This is a fun way to help fundraise for our church for just £12 a year (that’s £1 a month) whilst hopefully getting lucky. First draw will be in September 2025. In return for your annual subscription, you will automatically be entered into a monthly draw to win cash prizes. Every month there will be 1st and 2nd prize winners with a larger prize at Christmas. Join the club for £12 a year, payable by Standing Order. This buys you one membership number which is entered into the monthly cash prize draw for 12 months. We will contact you if you are one of the lucky winners that month. Winners’ names will also be published on our websites and in the Parish Magazine. Payments to be made either by Standing Order (£12 annually) or via cash/cheque (£12 annually per number). Each number purchased gives you a chance to win a prize. So, for example, two numbers a month doubles your chances of a win. * All participants must be over 16 years. Name ……………………………………………………………………………………… Address ……………………………………………………………………………………… Email address ……………………………………………………………………………….. Telephone Number to enable us to contact you ……………………………………………… Church Bank Details: Barclays Bank, Business Account, CHURCH OF ENGLAND Sort Code: 20 18 47 Account Number: 10667153 Please include the reference “Club plus your surname, initial” e.g., for Peter Smith, the reference is Club Smith P. Your Bank Details … Account Name: Sort Code: Account Number:
In the Spirit of Gibran: Ten Devotional Reflections on God Inspired by the writings of Kahlil Gibran Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) was a Lebanese-American poet, artist, and philosopher whose work bridges East and West. His most famous book, The Prophet, is beloved for its spiritual wisdom, lyrical beauty, and deep reverence for the soul's journey with God. 1. On Religion "Your daily life is your temple and your religion. Whenever you enter into it, take with you your all." Reflection: Worship is not confined to buildings or hours. In each task and kindness, let us find our sanctuary. 2. On Joy and Sorrow "Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain." Reflection: God meets us in the deep well of our feelings. In every tear, the potential for joy is being prepared. 3. On Divine Doors "God has created several doors which open onto truth. He opens them to all who knock on them with the hand of faith." Reflection: Truth is not a single doorway, but many sacred paths. Walk yours with faith, and you will find God waiting. 4. On Christ Within "In every man there is Jesus and Judas." Reflection: Within each of us is the capacity for grace and betrayal. The journey with God is choosing daily whom we reflect. 5. On Self-Knowledge "Do not be joyous because of praise, and do not be distressed because of blame. Know thyself... Then thou shalt know thy Lord." Reflection: Knowing God begins with knowing ourselves. In stillness, honesty, and humility, the Divine becomes clearer. 6. On Prayer "You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy." Reflection: Let our praise rise not only from need, but from gratitude. In joy, too, may we meet the Holy. 7. On Love "When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep..." Reflection: God's love refines us. It is not always easy, but it is always sacred. 8. On Good and Evil "You are good when you walk to your goal firmly and with bold steps. Yet you are not evil when you go thither limping." Reflection: God cherishes every effort. Whether we walk strong or struggle, grace walks beside us. 9. On Unity of Spirit "I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit." Reflection: The Divine transcends walls. Let us honour one another's devotion and the One Spirit that binds us. 10. On the Soul’s Unfolding "The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals." Reflection: Let us be patient with our own becoming. The sacred work of God is slow and beautiful. May these words bless your day and open your heart to the quiet presence of the Divine in all things.(painting: ungfrun i bön (1640-1650))
