Newsletter – 31st March 2019
This Sunday is Mothering Sunday – traditionally the 4th Sunday in Lent was the day on which everybody returned to their “Mother Church”, but more recently has become a day on which we celebrate all mothers and give presents. The services at both churches will be “all-age” services, so do come along and join us (and don't forget that the clocks go forward on Saturday night).
The Churches Together Lent lunchtime meetings continue on Tuesdays weekly, 12 noon at Zion Methodist Church. This year’s theme is Art in its Widest Sense, and after the meetings we have a simple lunch of soup and bread. Please do come along and enjoy this wonderful opportunity to socialise with our fellow Christians from around the area.
The Churches Together Lent lunchtime meetings continue on Tuesdays weekly, 12 noon at Zion Methodist Church. This year’s theme is Art in its Widest Sense, and after the meetings we have a simple lunch of soup and bread. Please do come along and enjoy this wonderful opportunity to socialise with our fellow Christians from around the area.
The Electoral roll must close by Saturday 13th April, so if you haven’t completed and returned your form yet please could you do so as soon as possible, and encourage your friends to complete theirs too. Amongst other things, the number of people we have on our electoral roll determines how many representatives we may have on Deanery Synod, which has significant input into decisions made about the future of our churches.
By now you should all have received a “Play your Part” information pack. Please do read the information and respond, whether you are involved in parish life already or not. There are so any ways in which we can all help to develop our Christian presence within the community and ensure the sustainability of our churches into the future.
Each year we have a Confirmation service in the parish. This year it will be at St Thomas’ on Sunday July 7th at 11am. This is a joyful whole parish service led by Bishop Mark.
Over the past few years we have emphasised this is where a person makes an adult decision to declare their faith by being confirmed. It was the custom to confirm large numbers of 11 year olds, though in most cases this is far too young. We now admit children to communion before confirmation and encourage most to delay confirmation until they are really ready. There is no upper age limit for confirmation!
There are quite a few adults who regularly attend our churches but have not been confirmed. If this include you please do think about taking this step. Let me know if you are considering this, and we can talk about it. Any children from year 6 upwards who feel this is the time to make this commitment should also let me know and we can discuss it.
Edith
Items for the newsletter, website and facebook pages to Liz (lizzy.dent@googlemail.com) whenever you want to send. Lots of lovely pictures please!
