Our Lenten journey continues. Lent is a time for self-examination, penitence, self-denial, study, alms-giving, all in preparation for Easter. It lasts for forty days and forty nights reminding us of Jesus' time spent in the wilderness, being tested by Satan.

The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare or Refreshment Sunday) was allowed as a day of relief from the rigour of Lent, and is the background to the modern observance of Mothering Sunday. This easing of the Lenten fasting for Laetare Sunday was marked by its use of Rose coloured vestments.

We typically have multiple services in our church buildings across the benefice, however, if you are unable to attend in person, you are warmly invited to join in with our Rector, The Revd Mark Woodrow, in an act of Spiritual Communion from your own home, as he celebrates Holy Communion from the Vicarage.

The readings for today are Exodus 2:1-10, Colossians 3:12-17, and Luke 2:33-35.

The hymns for today are, Tell out, my soul, and, For Mary, Mother of our Lord.

A service booklet to accompany today's service can be downloaded below.

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Another Story Must Begin is a Lent course based on the film, the novel and the stage adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables.

Through discussion of some of the themes and principal characters of this epic narrative, the course explores the grace of God, alongside our fallen state and opportunities for redemption.

It asks us to reassess what we can do with our lives, both for ourselves and for those around us.

Alongside a session to watch the Musical Film together, the course is based around five weekly group sessions, looking at Fantine and Cosette; The Bishop of Digne; Jean Valjean; Javert; Redemption and Salvation.

There are a maximum of 10 spaces available, and you are welcome to contact Rachel Musgrove (07738661405 or [email protected]) to reserve your place.

Join Revd Mark for a full English Breakfast, some great conversation, and maybe even a little bit of faith too!

£10 per head. Please speak to Revd Mark to reserve your place no later than the Wednesday before.

Join us for our Parish Communion

We are delighted to be able to welcome the Choir of St Mary-Le-Tower in Ipswich as they perform Bach's St John Passion accompanied by an orchestra - it will be a fitting work as the church prepares to for Holy Week.

Admission is Free and it isn't necessary to prebook a seat.

Refreshments will be available - Donations towards Clare Church are gratefully received.

Join us for our special Palm Sunday service.

The tradition of Holy Week (or Passiontide) developed over time into the form we have today. Through participation in the whole sequence of services, the Christian shares in Christ’s own journey, from triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, through to the empty tomb on Easter morning.

The procession with palms, was already observed in Jerusalem in the fourth century, and was accompanied by the reading of the Passion Narrative, in which the whole story of the week is anticipated.

Come along and join other families and children for a FREE afternoon of Easter Art and Crafts.

All Welcome, but children please remember to bring a grown up with you!

Join us for our special Maundy Thursday service where we are reminded of the importance of humble Christian service expressed through Christ’s washing of his disciple’s feet, the institution of the Eucharist, and the perfection of Christ’s obedience through the agony of Gethsemane.

Join us for our special Good Friday’s service where our focus turns to the Cross. There is no celebration of the Eucharist, and churches are traditionally stripped of all decoration.

There can be no adequate way of recalling the death of the Son of God, other than silence and desolation.

From earliest times Christians have gathered through the night of Easter to recall the story of God’s saving work, from creation through to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This service is meant to be a real experience of new life, a passing from darkness to light which offers hope to all the faithful.

The Easter Vigil marks the end of the emptiness of Holy Saturday, and leads into the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. The singing of the Exsultet, the ancient hymn of triumph and rejoicing, links the night of our Christian redemption to the Passover night of Israel’s redemption out of Egypt. Christian baptism is a participation in the death and resurrection of Christ. The Easter Vigil is a fitting time for all those who are already Christians to repeat with renewed commitment the promises of their own baptism. The Easter Gospel is proclaimed with all the joy and splendour that the church can find.

The Easter Eucharist follows immediately on from the Vigil. All the resources of the church – music, flowers, bells, colours – are used to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. The ‘Alleluia’, which has been silent throughout Lent, returns!

Today begins the Great Fifty Days of Eastertide! We continue with the joy created at last nights Easter Vigil as we come together to celebrate the gloriously risen Christ.

During this ‘most joyful period’ the lit Easter (or Paschal) Candle stands prominently in church for all the Eastertide services. The Alleluia appears frequently.

Join us for our Annual Church Meeting, including the Election of Church Wardens.

Join us in the afternoon of King Charles' Coronation for a celebratory Community Concert.

Everyone Welcome

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We celebrate Alison and Paul joining together before God as they begin a lifelong journey of love together.

Join us for a special church service in which a person confirms the promises that were made when they were baptised.

If you were baptized at a christening when you were a child, your parents and godparents made these promises on your behalf.

As a young person or adult, you may be ready to affirm these promises for yourself and commit your life to following Jesus Christ. At a confirmation service, you make these promises for yourself. Your friends and family as well as the local Christian community will be there to promise to support and pray for you.

Bishop Mike will lay his hands on the head of the person being confirmed and ask God’s Holy Spirit to give them the strength and commitment to live God’s way for the rest of their life.

If you would like to be confirmed, do contact The Revd Mark Woodrow who will be happy to discuss this with you.

Archdeacon David will this year be hosting his annual Archdeacon's Visitation Service in the Church of St Peter & St Paul, Clare.

At this service all the Church Wardens are sworn into their roles, and it is also an opportunity for Archdeacon David to publicly thank everyone who keeps our churches in good repair, and work to make our churches a centre for mission and outreach into our communities.

All are very welcome to attend.

All Churchwardens should complete and bring with them the attached "Churchwarden's Declaration"

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The whole village is invited to a Parish Picnic!

So bring your own picnic and drinks and enjoy a lovely evening with friends and neighbours and perhaps consider making a donation to help raise much needed funds toward the upkeep and running of our Parish Church.

Yes!!! The 2023 Ride and Stride will take place on Saturday, 9th September 2023.

You can download the 2023 sponsorship paperwork and a full list of churches and chapels that are expected to be open from https://shct.org.uk/ride-and-stride/

If you don't feel like cycling but have a vintage or classic cars, why not take part in the Pedal and Drive event instead: More Information can be found at https://shct.org.uk/pedal-drive-car-rally/

Our churches and chapels need our help more than ever this year, so please support this vital annual event. Half your sponsorship money will go to the Trust to be given in grants for church repairs, and half will go to the church of your choosing.

Join us as we celebrate Gods wonderful bounty and creation.