F R I D A Y F O C U S Get Friday Focus in your in-box each week! - use the contact form to ask Fr Chris to put you on the mailing list.________________________For services this Sunday see the page Worship in our Chaplaincy this Sunday_____________________________________________________________________________The week ahead..... Sun: Saint of the day - St Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr 69 - 155ADPolycarp was a companion of Papias, a disciple of John the Evangelist - one generation away from the disciples of Christ Himself. He was Bishop of Smyrna (in modern Turkey), though only one of his writings has survived to today. He was caught up in one of the periodic persecutions of Christians, who refused to offer worship to the Emperor as a god. In respect to his great age, Polycarp was invited to save his life and gain his freedom by offering worship to the Emperor, but he refused to deny Christ, declaring:"Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior? You threaten me with a fire that burns for a season, and after a little while is quenched; but you are ignorant of the fire of everlasting punishment that is prepared for the wicked." He was burned to death.Tue: 19h45 Bible Study Group on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86794128072?pwd=oHSKPhxImv3HbsyHtPWv6k4xzsqcyM.1Next Sunday (2nd March) is SUNDAY BEFORE LENT - TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAYHommeel Church Gratot: 11h00 Service of Word: Morning PrayerAvranches: 16h00 Holy Eucharist Other notices BRIAN BAKER: As we publish today we hear the sad news of the death of Brian Baker, a stalwart of earlier days in the church at Gratot: he had been in hospital for some weeks. Please remember Brian in your prayers, together with Sheila and their son Huw - to whom we offer our heartfelt sympathy. We have no information yet regarding funeral arrangements, but will communicate again with details once we have them.AVRANCHES HYMNS THIS SUNDAY: We have a couple of less familiar tunes in our service this week. You can learn them by spending a few moments with these YouTube videos.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y93uhtTibMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYrL9ea1XUgGRATOT HYMNS THIS SUNDAY: We have one less familiar tune in our service this week - you may have heard 'Ye banks and braes' but never sung it to a hymn. It works beautifully! You can find it (to different words) here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaAklUFsX5EPICNIC WITH THE PARSON: We look forward to this Sunday's 'picnic' after the coffee following the Gratot Eucharist: conversation will include an update and discussion on progress so far with the Chaplain appointment. One person has helpfully suggested a heading of 'What do you need from us?' - there is one very major area (very familiar from other discussions!) which is to find a way forward in an approach to pastoral care that doesn't totally depend on the Chaplain, who is supposed to focus at this point on outreach and mission. There has been some fresh thinking, but we need more please - hopefully with enough cake we will reach a solution together!CHAPLAINCY ELECTORAL ROLL: We remind readers of the Electoral Roll renewal process now begun: forms are due back by 23rd March please. If you have questions, or need a form this week, please contact Fr Chris as Alan is unavailable. Please note: forms can be found/downloaded from the Chaplaincy website.LENT COURSE: This year we are delighted to offer the Diocesan Lent Course, a fascinating exploration of the Nicene Creed and its background to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 325AD. This will be each Tuesday in Lent (replacing Bible Study and 'Something More' housegroup) beginning 11th March, each session led by a different member of the Ministry Team. Please book the dates and join us!'WHAT DOES OUR CHAPLAINCY NEED FROM ITS CHAPLAIN?' Thank you to everybody who returned the questionnaire - it was an interesting exercise which didn't quite 'land right' but furnished one or two interesting insights to carry forward.Our Chaplaincy PrayerLord Jesus Christ, thank you for calling us to be a Church under the banner of your Name: may we look to you today and find clear vision for tomorrow. May our life together bring you glory, as you make of us a living invitation to enter the joy of your Kingdom. AmenLove in Christ, Fr Chris To reply or unsubscribe, please email: ddchristchurchmanche@gmail.comPLEASE keep us informed of changed email addresses! Thank you.
