Bowland Benefice Pews News

4 May 2025

Collect for 3 rd Sunday of Easter

Almighty Father,

who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples
with the sight of the risen Lord:
give us such knowledge of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened
and sustained by his risen life

and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
This week in the Benefice

Sunday
4 May

10.30am Family Service in
Upton Snodsbury
11.00am Holy Communion
in Peopleton

6.00pm

Songs of Praise in
White Ladies
Aston

Tuesday
6 May

7.00pm

Bowland
Benefice Council
meets in The
Parish Room,
White Ladies
Aston

Thursday
8 May

80 th Anniversary
of VE Day –
commemorations
across the
Benefice

Saturday
10 May 7.00pm

Jazz Evening with
Martin Veasey in
Cowsden

Sunday
11 May
Easter 4 &
Christian Aid
Week begins

10.30am

Holy Communion
in Upton
Snodsbury

10.30am

Family Service in
White Ladies
Aston
After our Annual Church Meetings……
A big thank you to all those who, once again,
have taken on the responsibilities that come with
being a member of one of our Church PCCs; to keep
the message of Christ’s life and teachings alive in our
communities and to care for and maintain our
beautiful church buildings – a constant reminder of

God’s presence among us.

The annual and very popular Jazz Evening will take
place next Saturday, 10 May in the Conservatory at
Cowsden Hall, starting at 7.00pm. Tickets at £12 each,
are available from Helen (01905 381490) and Janet

(01905 381379)

This coming Thursday - A time for commemoration
of the 80 th Anniversary of the Victory in Europe
The day hostilities came to an end across the Channel
– 8 May 1945. A day still remembered by some
amongst us, a day of rejoicing that the horrors of war

on the Continent had ceased.

In Peopleton there will be a free barbeque with soft
drinks available in St Nicholas Churchyard from
5.30pm until 7.30pm. The bells will ring out at 6.30pm
joining other churches across our land. Children will
be very welcome to join in the ringing.
In White Ladies Aston, the bells of St John the Baptist
will ring out too at 6.30pm followed by a ‘street party’

in The Parish Room.

On the following evening, Friday 9 May, at 7.30pm in
The Parish Room a simple supper (with lots of
singing!!) will be on offer at a cost of £5.00. For more
details ring Margaret (01905 345371).
Alongside the joy of 8 May 1945, the ‘forgotten war’
in the East continued unabated until 15 August…..
We remember all those who have given their lives and
still continue to give their lives for their country.
Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust; lead
us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill
our heart, our world, our universe. Amen. 
Next Sunday Christian Aid Week begins (11 – 17 May)
It is a time for supporters to raise funds and
awareness for the work of Christian Aid and its local
partners in communities around the world, helping
them find practical and sustainable ways out of

poverty. 

Whether you fill one of the familiar, little red and
white envelopes, donate on-line or support a
fundraising initiative you will be benefitting Christian

Aid in its work……

‘We work with some of the world's most vulnerable
communities in 29 countries in Africa, Asia, the
Middle East, Europe and Latin America and the
Caribbean. When emergencies strike in these
countries, we are there before, during and after to
save lives and support people in the long term.’ 
O God of all hope and peace, we bring to you the
needs of our broken and hurting world. We pray for an
end to violence and warfare so that the challenging
work of rebuilding may begin. Help us, O Lord, to
affirm our common humanity so that in our
differences we may build together for justice and
peace. Guide world leaders with wisdom and
compassion, that they may choose paths of
reconciliation and understanding. May the seeds of
peace be sown and nurtured, leading to a world where
all people can live in harmony and safety. We ask for
your guidance and grace in all our efforts to promote
peace and justice, now and forever. Amen.