Dear Friends,Spring is springing as we walk through Lent, and lots of happy farmers are ploughing and harrowing in the unexpected dry spell. Maybe for once Chaucer got it right, and there’s a drought in March which the April showers will remedy!Whan that April with his shores sooteThe drought of March hath pierced to the roote The 14th Century poet goes on to explain that the spring awakening makes us all long to go on pilgrimages – and thereafter follows the Canterbury Tales. As the days get longer and warmer, our pilgrimage takes us closer to Easter, closer to the heart of the Gospel. The Thought this week considers the recently published Happiness survey and how the Good News of Jesus Christ and living His way, loving God and our neighbour, is the key to enduring happiness, even when things are tough. It’s Mothering Sunday this weekend, and we give thanks for our mothers and all those who are like mothers in our lives. If you have pre-school or primary aged children or grandchildren why not give All Saints Appleton Roebuck a go on Mothering Sunday? There will be an adventure trail before the service, a dramatic retelling of the story of baby Moses, and a photo booth to make memories afterwards. The perfect prelude to a lovely Mothers’ Day lunch! There’s still room at the Alive in Christ Lent Course at Bolton Percy Parish Room on Wednesday afternoon if you want to come! Contact St Giles office on 01904 708813, or just turn up and you will be welcomed.Rachel
Dear Friends, Greetings and blessings!There are plenty of services to choose from in our little benefice – if you have pre-school or primary aged children or grandchildren why not give All Saints Appleton Roebuck a go on Mothering Sunday? There will be an adventure trail before the service, and a photo booth to make memories afterwards. The perfect prelude to a lovely Mothers’ Day lunch! There’s still room at the Alive in Christ Lent Course at Bolton Percy Parish Room on Wednesday afternoon if you want to come! Contact St Giles office on 01904 708813, or just turn up and you will be welcomed. The Thought this week is “Hold on to Hope”, inspired by the beautiful East Window at All Saints Appleton Roebuck. Rachel
VERSE FOR THE WEEKBehold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and springs in the desert…to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise. Isaiah 43:19, 20b - 21Dear Friends, I hope Lent is going well for you so far! Michael has written some interesting stuff about Ember Days, so if you want to know more, read the Thought! (Attachment)Also attached to this email is the flyer for the Lent Course, Alive in Christ, which is taking place on Wednesdays at St Giles Copmanthorpe and the Parish Rooms, Bolton Percy. There will still be space if you want to join. Don’t forget that you need to reapply to be on the new Electoral Roll – application form attached. Please let David, Peter, Jenny, Michael, Yvonne or myself know if you need a paper copy, or know of anyone who does. Have a great week, Rachel x
Dear Friends,The church year rolls around to Lent, and we intensify our focus on what it’s all about. And what is it all about? Two millennia ago God became one of us. Jesus walked this earth, healed people, challenged wrongs, made friends, made enemies, and in the end was executed on trumped up charges. Three days of darkness, then the glorious light of His resurrection! Jesus defeated death and made a way back to relationship with God for all humankind. His teachings turned the world upside down, and still today lives are being transformed by his message of love and reconciliation. Let’s repent of all the things we get wrong, and use this Lenten time to draw closer to God. The Thought (attached) this week is about living Christ’s story in Lent, as we journey towards Easter. Also attached is the flyer about our Lent course, “Alive in Christ”. It begins next week – so still time to enrol!A final also – don’t forget to register on the Electoral Roll (see attached Notice of Preparation and Form 1). This is compiled from scratch every 5 years, so you need to ensure your name is on the new one if you still wish it. Rachel
