Dear AllI am writing this and the sun is streaming into my office window – so much so that I have had to close the curtains so I can see my computer screen!! I am so looking forward to Spring finally arriving.It is so good to see so many of you at our weekly Bible study on Wednesday evenings as we journey through the big story of the Bible together or at the online prayer meeting on Tuesday mornings. It is really encouraging to see us growing in knowledge, wisdom and prayer. At our prayer meeting we are giving the needs of the world and our own villages to God on a regular basis. There is room for everyone to join us online for prayer(should work, life, allow) – see the link on the Welcome Sheet, it would be good to see you there.As you may know Cath has been teaching us how to sign the Lord’s Prayer in Makaton sign language. Here is the link so that you can learn it at home - https://youtu.be/fSs4w9M-i9sAs you may also know Cath is going off on sabbatical at the end of March and so we will need someone to take her place in signing the Lord’s Prayer in our Sunday services. If you are able to learn this and to offer your skills that would be most helpful.Our Family Service last week was a huge success and we need to give special thanks to Kate for her catering for the breakfasts, etc. We had 36 adults and 7 children, with 4 people asking for baptism. This is all so encouraging and please do continue to pray for this service that it continues to develop and grow to welcome more new families into our fellowship.We also had the Community Dog Walk last Sunday at which we welcomed 11 adults, 2 children and 9 dogs for the walk and coffee and cake afterwards, great thanks to Joy and Alison and the café/cake team for providing all that we needed for this event to be such a success. We were able to connect with people we did not know in our community and people really wanted to know when the next one was and so we have put another one into the calendar for Sunday 28th April 2024, if you would like to be there.Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday when we celebrate Mothering Sunday.Every blessingAlison
Yesterday I saw snowdrops and a few cowslips as we move from winter into spring. The birds were singing and the sun was warm on my face and I felt my heart lift at the thought of longer days and not having to walk Bean in the dark in a dayglo jacket so I can find her when she is off the lead!!We are journeying towards Easter, to all those joyful times of longer days, warmer evenings, not perhaps as much rain and mud, being able to get out in the garden, the allotment or play in the park, long dog walks, time off school, time off work, spending special time with our families and friends, all on our horizon. We have so much to be thankful for. We have already had our Pancake Party and our Ash Wednesday service to mark the beginning of Lent, and……Our next dog walk leaving from St James Church, High Wych will be Sunday 3rd March at 2.30 pmHowever, as we journey towards Easter with all our services to look forward to we are experiencing Lent, that journey that is of personal self-reflection as we journey with Jesus as he walks towards the Cross, asking ourselves - where do we fall short? what can we do that is better? Who can we help?, etcThis year I am asking you all to think carefully about taking on the Lent Challenge as our way of giving thanks for all that we have and for serving others who are struggling at this time. There are many ways we can do this, here are 3 different ways we can do this (see below):-2024 The Lent ChallengeDuring the 40 days of Lent we may give things up – to fast – from sugary or fatty foods, while others choose a well-loved treat, social media, alcohol, or TV the idea being that we remember Jesus’ time in the wilderness when he went without and we are called to give more attention to God, in prayer and reading the Bible.We are also called during Lent to remember those worse off than ourselves and there are so many ways we can do this. We can give our money to charity, maybe sending help to children in Gaza who are struggling without food and basic necessities:-Children in Gaza crisis appeal - UNICEF UK – (follow this link to financially give).Or you may consider using the Count your Blessings project that helps you work through Lent thoughtfully, giving to the poorer countries around the world who are dealing with the onslaughts of climate change and poverty:-count-your-blessings-2024-v1.1.pdf (christianaid.org.uk) – (follow link to download the 40 days challenge – printed out at back of church (St Mary’s) for you to look at)Or you may want to look closer to home and take up the Lent Challenge for our own area. We are committing to give generously to the Pop-Up shop during Lent, focussing on a particular area of food/household products each week as follows:-Week 1 - we focus on bringing soft drinks for that week.Week 2 – cans of food.Week 3 – dried goodsWeek 4 - Cereals or household products.Week 5 – chocolate (small Easter eggs)Week 6 – Special Easter food This will call us to sacrifice some of our wealth but it will benefit others who are struggling. The church (St James, High Wych) or (St Mary’s, Gilston) is open every day from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm for you to bring food and place in the box provided, and we will make sure this food gets to the Pop-Up Shop. Or if this is difficult for you, you can give the Pop Up Shop money directly at:-Barclays Bank – Account Number 60797029 – Sort Code 20 36 98Account Name: Sawbridgeworth Congregational ChurchMy hope for each one of us over this Easter period is that we will say this prayer:-Father, help me to live each day to the full,Being true to You, in every way.Jesus, help me to give myself away to others,Being kind to everyone I meet.Sprit, help me to love the lost, Proclaiming Christ in all I say and do. Amen.I leave you with our Bible verse for the year to encourage us to find the joy in each day that we are given.Your PriestAlisonRomans 15:13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Dear AllAs you can see from the Welcome sheet there are quite a few different events on the horizon for you to be involved with.First of these is the Quiz Night on Saturday – I believe there are still some spaces left if you want to get involved.We also have a dog walk leaving Eastwick on Sunday at 11.15 am if you are interested in bringing along your dog/or not – the dog is not compulsory.You will be pleased to know that during our PCC meeting last night the Bible Course – Study books turned up – phew.If you have signed up to come tonight, I am really looking forward to journeying through Lent with you as we look more closely at the Bible and I have a few extra guides if you would still like to come. Please also bring your Bibles tonight. See you at 7.30 pm.😊Saturday 24th February is the second year anniversary of the Ukraine/Russian conflict. I am putting together a prayer station for you, which will be in church for Saturday and Sunday – please pray for this conflict that is ongoing. Our prayers are very much needed.Hoping you can find joy in your day, despite the rain.AlisonRomans 15:1313 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Dear AllIt has been a busy week – I feel like I have seen some of you every day, thank you for all you do and the things you have been involved with in just this week.Thank you to all those who came online for the prayer meeting on Tuesday, all who helped at the Pancake Party at Gilston and Eastwick Village Hall, The Ash Wednesday service yesterday and Jimmy’s toddler group today.As we head to the weekend we are now in the season of Lent and so I attach the information about our Lent Challenge for this year, copies of this will be printed onto the back of the Welcome sheet too.The information to join for the prayer meeting on Tuesday is on the Welcome sheet and next Wednesday the Lent Study starts at the Rectory – first session Wed 21st February – at 7.30 pm – looking forward to seeing all those who have signed up for this. The study guides have been ordered so we are ready!Every blessingAlison
