March is a month of movement. The days begin to stretch, the first brave flowers push through cold soil, and we sense that change is in the air. Spiritually, March often carries us into the season of Lent – a quieter, more reflective time – yet it also whispers of hope, renewal, and the promise of Easter. At its heart, the Christian faith has always been about relationship: our relationship with God and our relationship with one another. These two cannot be separated. When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment, he replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37–39). Faith is never meant to be a private possession. It is something we live out in community. Across the Benefice of St James, High Wych, St Mary’s, Gilston and St Botolph’s, Eastwick, we see this lived out in countless quiet ways. A lift offered to someone who can no longer drive. A meal dropped off when illness strikes. A friendly word in the post office, the school gate, or over the garden fence. These small acts of kindness may seem ordinary, but in God’s eyes they are extraordinary. They are expressions of love, and love is the very language of God. One practical way we live this out during Lent is through our 40 Day Lent Challenge. We invite everyone to bring an item of food each day (or as often as you are able) for the local foodbank, using St James, High Wych as the collection point. It is a simple but powerful way of turning prayer into action and sharing God’s love in very tangible form. Church, at its best, is not simply a building or a Sunday service. It is people. It is a network of care, prayer, laughter, and shared life. Whether you attend worship every week, occasionally, or not at all, you are part of this community. The church exists not for itself, but for the world around it – to serve, to listen, and to offer hope. Lent invites us to pause and ask some gentle questions:- Where is God at work in my life?- How might I grow closer to Him?- Who is God calling me to care for? Sometimes we think of Lent in terms of giving things up. While that can be helpful, it can be even more powerful to think about taking something up: taking up a habit of prayer, taking up reading a few verses of the Bible each day, or taking up an intentional act of kindness. These small spiritual practices create space for God to shape our hearts. In a world that can feel increasingly divided and hurried, Christian community offers something different: a place where people are known, valued, and loved. You do not have to have everything sorted. You do not need perfect faith. You simply need to come as you are. You may be wondering, “How can I find out more about following Jesus and the Christian faith being part of my life?” If that question is on your heart, please know that you are very welcome to talk with me or with any member of our church communities. There are many gentle ways to explore faith, ask questions, and discover what it might mean for you. As we journey through March, my prayer is that we might notice the signs of new life around us – in nature, in our relationships, and in our own hearts. May we be a community that reflects God’s compassion, generosity, and grace in practical ways. As we journey through Lent we have already had our very popular Messy Church Pancake Party on Shrove Tuesday and our Ash Wednesday service, thank you for all those who attended these lovely events. There is still much more of Easter to enjoy… You would be very welcome to join us at any of our Easter services across the Benefice: • Maundy Thursday, 2nd April – 7.30 pm at St James, High Wych • Good Friday Messy Church 3rd April– 10.00 am–12 noon at St James, High Wych • Good Friday Service of Music and Reflections 3rd April – 2.00 pm at St Botolph’s, Eastwick • Easter Vigil Saturday 4th April – 7.00 pm at St Mary’s, Gilston (beginning with a fire pit outside) • Easter Day Family Communion Sunday 5th April– 9.30 am at St James, High Wych Whether you come often or have not been to church for some time, you will find a warm welcome. If you would like to meet me in a more informal way we will be running our community dog walks again through the rest of this year. Please look at the flyer for these later in the magazine. With every blessing for the season ahead, Alison Priest-in-Charge
Dear FriendsMy curtains in the office are having to be drawn because of the sun that is streaming in through the windows!! What a contrast to last week.As many of you know we were able to introduce you to Phase 1 of our new heating system in St James, last Sunday. People seemed really happy that they were warmer in church and we will now be working on Phase 2 of the heating, which will take time to cost up and then we will need to have a fundraising drive to be able to do that. It may take some time, as it does take a long time to get the relevant church permissions etc. I will keep you informed when I have anything to tell you.I am hoping I will see you at some point this weekend.There is the coffee morning at High Wych Memorial Hall being run by Sean O’Connor – he is asking for help with cakes being supplied but also for people to attend. This coffee morning is to support Bowel Cancer and will take place from 10.30 – 12.30 pm.We also have our Quiz Night at the Gilston and Eastwick Village Hall from 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm start, this Saturday evening. There are a few places left if anyone wants to still come, just let Christine know on christine.law2@btinternet.comUnfortunately, I have to inform you that our Murder Mystery taking place on 28th March is now sold out.On Sunday we have our two services:-8.00 am BCP Communion service at St James, High Wych, and9.30 am for breakfast with a 10.00 am start for our Family service at St James, High Wych.I hope to see you at one of these occasions over the weekend.Every blessingAlison
Dear FriendsAs we begin our progress through Lent, this Sunday we will be looking at the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness, through video, music and the Word. I hope you will be able to join us at St James, High Wych at 9.30 am.This week we also have another Family Service at St Botolph’s, Eastwick at 11.30 where we will be exploring the message of Jacob, a complex story of deceit and ultimately forgiveness.I have attached our new poster for community dog Walks throughout the year. You will notice that we are splitting these across our villages. St James in High Wych, Allens Green, St Mary’s, Gilston and also Terlings Development in Gilston. Everyone is welcome to these whether you have a dog or not. Refreshments will be provided in various forms. If you would like to come and just meet for a chat and refreshments come from 3.30 pm.A word about our Quiz Night and Murder Mystery event.We have a couple of tables left for the Quiz Night – please talk to Christine about booking a table.The Murder Mystery is booking up really quickly – I suggest you get in touch with Kate Clark soon to avoid disappointment.Please find attached the Welcome sheet and readings for this Sunday.I hope I see you at one of our services this weekend.Every blessingAlison
Dear Friends Wow, we are heading into Lent already!! Please see attached the flyers for our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party if you would like to invite anyone, our Messy Church session this Sunday, Our Ash Wednesday service at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 18th February at 7.30 pm at St James, High Wych, our 2026 Lent Challenge - all preparation for our walk with Jesus towards Easter this year. Easter Day will be 5th April – date for your diaries. Our Lent study this year follows the Holy Habits course that we started last Lent and we will be focussing on Gladness and Generosity. This will start on Monday 23rd February at 7.30 pm at the Rectory and I will also be running this during the day on Wednesdays from 2.30 pm for those who do not like a late night. There will be a sign up sheet at the back of church from this Sunday so that you can let me know if you prefer Monday evenings or Wednesday afternoons. This week in St James, they have started to install the under pew heating (Phase 1) I am hoping they will have been able to remove the large scaffolding tower from in front of the pulpit – if not I might be bungee jumping from the top of that on Sunday I hope you can make our service this Sunday at:- · 9.30 am St James, High Wych – Holy Communion service · Messy Church 3.00pm - 5.00 pm in High Wych Memorial Hall. May God bless your week and make you feel gladness in your spirit that you are part of our church fellowship. Every blessing Alison
