F R I D A Y   F O C U S

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For services this Sunday see the page Worship in our Chaplaincy this Sunday

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The week ahead
Tues: 19h45 'Something More' online housegroup meeting: this session 'Why can't we join the Alpha Course?!' - a chance to reflect on the Lent Course and to think about what to do next. Teaser: we could do an Alpha Course, but can't join the Alpha Course! - Fr Chris will explain why. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84358481987?pwd=3FoEJbKLta9MQ4fGmhP0iF8f99S9Wf.1

Next Sunday (4 May) is THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Hommeel Church Gratot: 11h00 Service of Word: Morning Prayer

Avranches: 16h00 Holy Eucharist, followed by 'Cake with the Cure'

Other notices:

PICNIC WITH THE PARSON Gratot church meets over lunch for our monthly 'picnic' together, though we will be missing a few key people who are away. As usual we can talk about anything we like, but, following some conversations at Easter, Fr Chris has some thoughts about how we share communion together.

BACK IN BUSINESS! The Salle at Gratot was finally reopened on Easter Monday with joy and thanksgiving. Well done to all who enabled it to happen - workers on the day, and workers before the day, in equal measure!

CHAPLAINCY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Formal notice and agenda is attached below. The Chaplaincy Report will be published shortly. We also attach a nomination form for churchwardens - we need to renominate Adrian Feather (or replace him!), and we need a new candidate to replace Martin who is shortly leaving the area.

LAY LEADERSHIP CHANGES: Please prayerfully weigh several challenges coming up over the next few months - for the Chaplaincy to move forward smoothly we need to find people for three important roles.

1 Following Martin announcing that he is moving away shortly, we now need to replace him as Churchwarden at this year's AGM. Ideally we are looking for someone from within the Gratot community. It is important that we find a replacement promptly, but particularly so in the light of item 3 below.

2 This autumn Adrian Feather our Treasurer will have fulfilled his promise to carry the finances of the Chaplaincy through to the end of the mortgage. He is willing to serve until the end of the financial year, but then wishes to stand down as Chaplaincy Treasurer. By the end of 2025 we need to have a new Treasurer to replace him.

3 Adrian F is about to start his last year as Churchwarden: by Easter 2026 he will have served the maximum term and will be ineligible to serve a further term. We will then need a new Warden, ideally from the Avranches community.

4 We need to strengthen representation from Avranches on the Chaplaincy Council, and are actively seeking a member of Avranches congregation to be co-opted to the Council in the near future.Please give these needs your active attention, and encourage the right people to come forward to help: if you want to know more about any of these roles please seek a quiet conversation with the current holder of the post. Churchwardens need to be nominated in writing prior to the AGM - nomination papers are available now.

GRATOT INVITATION: The Bishop of Coutances will bless the restored Hommeel Church altar at a special service at 18h00 on Sunday 18th May: we are warmly invited - please ask Agnes for further information.

MAY MAGAZINE: This will appear within the next couple of days.

ALPHA COURSE: An Alpha Course is being planned, to begin on Friday 23rd May: this is designed for those who see themselves as new to Christianity rather than those who have been attending church for years. Full details will appear in the May magazine, but in the meantime please speak to Revd Helen Wordsworth or Mary Jackson if you would like to know more.

WELCOME! It was great to see friends old and new at our Easter services, and we're glad that some enjoyed the visit sufficiently to be added to our mailing list to keep in touch with our Chaplaincy life. Welcome!

Our Chaplaincy Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
thank you for calling us to be a Church under the banner of your Name:
may we look to you today and find clear vision for tomorrow.
May our life together bring you glory,
as you make of us a living invitation to enter the joy of your Kingdom. Amen

Love in Christ,

Fr Chris

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