Lay Readers are trained and licensed volunteers who help lead worship, preach, teach and support the life of the church. Every few years, their licence is renewed in a special service, recognising their ongoing ministry and commitment to serving their local church and community.Sarah-Jane gives her time, gifts and energy generously, and we are grateful for all she contributes to church life. It was a joy to see her relicensed alongside others from across the Diocese in the beautiful setting of Peterborough Cathedral.Please join us in congratulating Sarah-Jane and praying for her as she continues in this important ministry.
Each church became a gentle, wandering space, with stations to explore at your own pace and room to be comfortable wherever you settled.This month’s theme, “I am the true vine”, was inspired by the blackberries bursting into life all around us — thriving even in the dry weather. We reflected on John 15: how we are branches that cannot bear fruit alone, how God lovingly prunes, and how staying rooted in the vine keeps us alive, growing, and fruitful.🍃 Creating our parish vineEveryone wrote their name on a leaf and added it to a vine in their church. Later, all three vines will be joined together — a symbol of our shared life across the parish, our connection to one another, and our rootedness in God’s love. A reminder that whether we worship indoors, outdoors, or somewhere in between… we belong together.🌞 A moment outdoorsWe stepped outside into the sunshine, linked together with a long thread of wool, and prayed the Lord’s Prayer — a simple, beautiful picture of how faith binds us to God and to each other.🍰 And of course… cake!We finished with blackberry crumble cake, gingerbread, and little cards made with berry fingerprints — small joys shared with big smiles.Thank you to everyone who wandered, wondered, prayed, created, and connected today. Woodland Church truly came to church — and church felt wonderfully alive.🌾 Next Woodland Church:20th September, 1.30pm from St David’s — HarvestWe’d love to walk with you again.
We’ll be bringing a taste of our outdoor gatherings into church — gentle activities, moments of noticing and wondering, and a chance to explore faith through the beauty of Creation.This special service is designed to: • help our congregations experience what Woodland Church is all about • offer a warm welcome to those who usually join us outdoors and might like to try a Sunday morning serviceEveryone is invited — families, friends, wanderers and wonderers alike. We’d love to see you there. 🌼
Today we joined in that celebration, giving thanks for all God is doing across our parish.Across Kingsthorpe Team Ministry, we are blessed to be connected with hundreds of children and many families each week. This is joyful, faithful work, often quiet, often unseen, but always rooted in love.⭐️ Little StarsOur Little Stars group this week enjoy their final celebration before summer, complete with a wonderful water‑play session. A happy, splashy send‑off for the holidays.🧸 Mothers’ UnionMU is preparing for six baptisms in August, two mums and four children, with lovingly made cards and baptism bears ready to welcome each family.🏫 Schools & CommunityWe give thanks for the strong relationships with our local schools:• Whitehills Primary• Kingsthorpe Village • Kingsthorpe Grove • Malcolm Arnold • All Saints’These schools are regular visitors to our churches, and many across our congregations joyfully give their time to share the love of Jesus with them.This week, 180 Year 6 pupils at Malcolm Arnold Academy visited a prayer space and chapel time as part of their transition days - a gentle moment of reflection as they prepare for the next stage of their journey.💛 Give ThanksWe celebrate and give thanks to God for all He is doing through Kingsthorpe Team Ministry - in our schools, our churches, our groups and our families.May we continue to be a community that welcomes children and young people abundantly, listens to their voices, and shares the hope we have in Jesus wherever we go.
