Bowland Benefice Pews News 18 January 2026 Second Sunday of Epiphany Collect Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. This week in the Benefice Saturday 17 January 2.00pm Installation of Bishop Hugh in Worcester Cathedral – All welcome! Sunday 18 January 10.30am Benefice Holy Communion in Upton Snodsbury Friday 23 January 7.30pm Talk on Shelsey Walsh Hill Climb in The Parish Room, White Ladies Aston Sunday 25 January Conversion of St Paul 9.30am Holy Communion in White Ladies Aston 10.30am Morning Prayer in Upton Snodsbury 11.00am Late Breakfast Café Church in Peopleton If you are interested in going to hear the talk next Friday in White Ladies Aston, it would be helpful if you could let Margaret know. Please ring her on 01905 345371 or email [email protected] If there are too many people for the Parish Room the talk will be transferred to the Church. Tea/Coffee and Croissant will be served in St Nicholas’ Church next Sunday at 11.00am at Peopleton’s Late Breakfast Café Church. A short and very informal time of worship and fellowship which is growing in popularity. Why not put it in your diary for next week, come along and give it a try? You will be made very welcome!! Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: 18 to 25 January This year's theme - One body One Spirit -is a call to unity to work for peace for all people everywhere. This ecumenical and world-wide celebration, provides an opportunity for us to focus our prayers on Christian unity and to know that we are joining with our fellow Christian brothers and sisters across the globe in our common worship of Jesus Christ. This year The Week of Prayer takes Ephesians 4 v 1-13 as its central text. The text includes the words There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling. (Ephesians 4:4).  The prayers and reflections for this year have been prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) Church, along with their brothers and sisters of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches and are drawn from centuries-old traditions of worship used by the Armenian people, along with hymns that originated in the ancient monasteries and churches of Armenia, some of which date as far back as the fourth century. There is more information readily available on line by following the links for 2026 Week of Christian Unity. Two Meditations/Prayers for the week ahead God of light, you have called us out of darkness into your light. May our response to your call lead us actively to seek reconciliation and share your light in the world. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Prince of Peace. Strengthen the bond of peace among us and in our troubled world. Change the hearts of all who make war; touch the wounds of all who are afflicted by war. We pray especially for all areas where conflict and war rage and hatred is the way of life. Let the light of your love shine in all the dark places of our world and hasten the day when all peoples may dwell in peace with justice. Amen. Diary dates! Revd Claire is planning a Pilgrim Lent Course to discuss the basics of faith and what it means to be a Christian in today’s world. Preparations are still at an early stage but she is planning for Wednesday afternoons from 2.30- 3.30pm in The Parish Room, White Ladies Aston. There will be 6 sessions weekly from 25 February ending on 1 April. Each session will begin with coffee/tea and CAKE!! Please let Claire know if you are interested so she can make sure she has enough course material available for everyone and enough CAKE to go around!