Dear AllAs you can see from the Welcome sheet there are quite a few different events on the horizon for you to be involved with.First of these is the Quiz Night on Saturday – I believe there are still some spaces left if you want to get involved.We also have a dog walk leaving Eastwick on Sunday at 11.15 am if you are interested in bringing along your dog/or not – the dog is not compulsory.You will be pleased to know that during our PCC meeting last night the Bible Course – Study books turned up – phew.If you have signed up to come tonight, I am really looking forward to journeying through Lent with you as we look more closely at the Bible and I have a few extra guides if you would still like to come. Please also bring your Bibles tonight. See you at 7.30 pm.😊Saturday 24th February is the second year anniversary of the Ukraine/Russian conflict. I am putting together a prayer station for you, which will be in church for Saturday and Sunday – please pray for this conflict that is ongoing. Our prayers are very much needed.Hoping you can find joy in your day, despite the rain.AlisonRomans 15:1313 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Dear AllIt has been a busy week – I feel like I have seen some of you every day, thank you for all you do and the things you have been involved with in just this week.Thank you to all those who came online for the prayer meeting on Tuesday, all who helped at the Pancake Party at Gilston and Eastwick Village Hall, The Ash Wednesday service yesterday and Jimmy’s toddler group today.As we head to the weekend we are now in the season of Lent and so I attach the information about our Lent Challenge for this year, copies of this will be printed onto the back of the Welcome sheet too.The information to join for the prayer meeting on Tuesday is on the Welcome sheet and next Wednesday the Lent Study starts at the Rectory – first session Wed 21st February – at 7.30 pm – looking forward to seeing all those who have signed up for this. The study guides have been ordered so we are ready!Every blessingAlison
Dear AllHow are you all?I feel that as we approach this season of Lent we are on that journey towards Easter and all that means as we once again discover the meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The joy of celebrating Christmas is behind us as we begin our journey to the Cross.And I wonder, how are you going to journey through Lent this year? Are you a person who gives things up like alcohol or chocolate, or fasts from tv or technology as is your tradition or do you do something positive that benefits others as you journey through Easter.I have been pondering this and as well as our Bible Study that will take us through Lent, which is:-The Bible Course – (please sign up if you want the study guide. Join me at the Rectory every Wednesday at 7.30 pm through Lent and beyond – see the Welcome sheet for more details and the sign up list at the back of church). This course will give us an amazing overview of the whole Bible and where everything fits into the story of God.If you would like a positive impact on our world - I am attaching the Christian Aid – Count your Blessings resource that you can use throughout Lent, ultimately raising money towards world poverty. You can access it here….count-your-blessings-2024-v1.1.pdf (christianaid.org.uk)Or perhaps you would like to do something practical that benefits our own local community? For instance; how about if we commit to giving generously to the Pop Up shop during Lent – here is my suggestion:-Week 1 we focus on bringing soft drinks for that week.Moving on as follows:-Week 2 – cans of food.Week 3 – dried goodsWeek 4 - Cereals or household products.Week 5 – chocolate (small Easter eggs)Week 6 – Special Easter food This will call us to sacrifice some of our wealth but it will benefit others who are struggling.We are also able to celebrate Pancake Day with the children in our community with our Annual Pancake Party at Gilston and Eastwick Village Hall on Tuesday 13th February from 3.00 – 5.00 pm – we are looking for people to help with this, so please drop me an e-mail if you can help on that day.As to our services - we begin our Lent journey with our Ash Wednesday service next week on 14th February at St James at 7.30 pm and will continue through to a glorious celebration on Easter Day.My hope is that during Easter our journey will benefit others and ourselves as we learn more about ourselves, more about the story of God and turn to the light of Jesus Christ carrying it out into our world.Your PriestAlisonRomans 15:13 ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
Dear AllWhat a full week, thank you to the many of you who are journeying together through Lent with our Bible study – The Bible Course. It is really lovely to have you all at the Rectory on Wednesdays. As we move closer and closer to Easter, we have a taste of it this Sunday in our Family Service, as this is the only opportunity to celebrate and remember Easter with our Family service congregation. Don’t forget you are all welcome to come to this service and we will be starting with breakfast at 9.30 am and starting the service gently at 10.00 am, which will last for about 45 mins to 1 hour. If you are taking part in our Lent Challenge this week we will be providing dried goods for the Pop-Up shop, please place in the green box by the font.We are celebrating the World Day of Prayer tomorrow at St James at 10.00 am, we are hosting this service this year using the service that has been prepared by an ecumenical group of Christian women from Palestine, the land in which Jesus was born, ministered and died, where the Christian faith began and is rooted. It is also an opportunity to come together to pray for the situation in the Holy Land at the momentWe also have a community dog walk starting from St James this week on Sunday 3rd March at 2.30 pm, please come and walk with us if you can, or come and eat cake from 3.30 pm😊Don’t forget every Tuesday morning we now have an online prayer meeting where we can join together to pray for our whole Benefice. The link is on the Welcome sheet, but here it is if you are looking for it:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84557900182?pwd=MDhIR2ZBSFc4RXdxWW4zL3FJRGx0dz09Meeting ID: 845 5790 0182 Passcode: 640464Wishing you rest and joy in your every day.Your Priest, Alison
