Bowland Benefice Pews News 19 April 2026 3 rd Sunday of Easter The Collect for today Risen Christ, you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope: strengthen us to proclaim your risen life and fill us with your peace, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. This week in the Benefice Saturday 18 April 10.30am Coffee Morning - 6 Manor Court, Broughton Hackett Sunday 19 April 10.30am Benefice Holy Communion in Upton Snodsbury Tuesday 21 April 7.00pm The Benefice Council meets in The Parish Room, White Ladies Aston Saturday 25 April 10.30am Coffee Morning in the Parish Room, White Ladies Aston Sunday 26 April 4 th Sunday of Easter 9.30am Holy Communion in White Ladies Aston 10.30am Morning Prayer in Upton Snodsbury 11.00am Late Breakfast Café Church in Peopleton Please join friends and neighbours at 6 Manor Court, the home of Diane and David Simms for a coffee morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm this Saturday morning. If you are a cake maker and would like to donate a cake it would be very welcome! There will be a raffle and if you would like to supply a suitable prize, it will be very gratefully received! Everyone will be made very welcome and it will be a good opportunity to catch up with friends old and new whilst raising much needed funds for the very special St Leonard’s Church in Broughton Hackett. On the following Saturday, 25 April there will be a Coffee Morning in the Parish Room, White Ladies Aston from 10.30am with bacon baps and croissants and a bottomless coffee pot. Everyone welcome. A Diary Date Upton Snodsbury’s annual Jazz Evening with Martin Veasey and Friends, will take place in the Conservatory at Cowsden Hall on Saturday 9 May from 700pm. Tickets cost £12 to include light refreshments. Tickets are going very fast, so to be sure of yours please ring Janet on 01905 381379 or Helen on 01905 381490 This Sunday, 19 April, is sometimes known as Primrose Day It marks the anniversary of the death of the British statesman and prime minister Benjamin Disraeli, on 19 April 1881. He was a particular favourite of Queen Victoria especially after he was widowed in 1872. Disraeli’s favourite flower was purported to be the primrose and the Queen would send him bunches of primroses from the grounds of Windsor Castle and Osborne House. The Queen unveiled a memorial to him at St Michael and All Angels Church, Hughenden in 1882 and every year, right up to the 1920s, a wreath of primroses would be placed on the memorial and on Disraeli’s statue outside Westminster Palace. Thursday 23 April is of course St George’s Day. The real St. George was a 3rd-century Roman soldier of Greek origin born in Cappadocia, which is now modern Turkey. He became a Christian and as a high- ranking officer in the army of Emperor Diocletian, he protested against the persecution of Christians. This resulted in his torture and beheading in Lydda, Palestine, around 23 April, 303. He became the patron saint of England for the legendary tale of slaying a dragon to save a princess and because he was the personification of the highest ideals of Christian chivalry. Beyond England, he is honoured as a saint in both Western and Eastern Christianity, as well as by some Muslim traditions. The Prayer for St George used by John Sentamu, the retired Archbishop of York How we all need to emulate him in the times we are living in…….. Heavenly Father, give us the bravery of St George  to stand up for the truth and the glory of God  that we have seen in the face of Jesus Christ.  Give us the strength to overcome  in our lives and in the world,  all that is contrary to your rule of justice and love.  Help us to be good news to the poor,  proclaim release to the captives  and recovery of sight to the blind;  let the oppressed go free, and  proclaim the good news of God's favour and Jubilee.  Amen.