Weekly Update 13/03

Dear all

The situation in the Ukraine continues to be of great concern and our prayers continue to be that peace will prevail, that the occupying troops will cease their advance and that those who have been directly affected will receive the attention they need. I am holding an additional service this coming Sunday at 5pm, in St Nicholas Church, as a time of such prayer as we look to the hope of a way forward and to lament all that has taken place and all that seems likely to come.

This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Lent and takes us a step closer to the most significant season of Easter. In Christian tradition Lent has a ‘heaviness’ about it as we consider our own fragility before God. But that heaviness doesn’t have the last word as Easter shows what the other side of the pain and agony of the cross looks like. Our desire is to see the agony of all that is going on in Ukraine to end so that we can find a way to the other side of that agony for the sake of all who are suffering.

Here is a quotation that I found with an online resource called ‘The Reflectionary’ and was written by a gentleman by the name of Fred Rogers as part of a piece called ‘Look for the helpers’;

 

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

To this day, especially in time of “disaster” I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in the world.

 

In the midst of the chaos let us “look for the helpers”.

Rev Chris

 

God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen

Archbishop Justin Welby
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell

Annual Parish Meeting (APM) & Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)

Our annual meetings will take place on Monday the 4th of April at 7.30pm, in church, preceded by an act of worship, with communion, at 7pm. The APM is very short and is to elect churchwardens – that is followed by the longer APCM (not too long) at which annual reports are presented and vacant posts on PCC (church council) and Deanery Synod are voted upon.

If you wish to put you name forward for Churchwarden, PCC or Deanery Synod please contact me for the relevant nomination form.

Annual meeting ‘packs’ will be emailed to all on the Electoral Roll (church membership list), although there will also be a limited supply of printed copies at the back of church.

Electoral Roll – Annual Revision (6^th March to 20^th March)

 

Each year our Electoral Roll is revised to reflect changes in membership. If you are not already on the roll then you are invited to complete an application form and return it to the church office – these forms can be found at the back of church or contact myself, or our administrator, to send you one.

 

Easter Lillies
The Easter Lily list is at the back of church for signing and any donations to the office or in the envelopes provided in the porch slot in the wall.
Many thanks
Doreen

Mothering Sunday Posies

Please sign up on the list at the back of church if you can make some posies for our Mothering Sunday services on Sunday 27th March.