Sunday 6th April: 5th Sunday of Lent

There are a couple of things from last weekend to say ‘thank you’ for. The Quiz Bingo evening was good fun, fronted excellently by Clare Moss and made possible by the church social committee and others. Thank you to the Junior Church and their leaders for the flowers given out at the Mothering Sunday service last week. They have also placed Easter gardens on the church window ledges for Holy Week and Easter, just one of the various decorations they contribute to the church as part of their teaching the children about the church seasons and festivals. With an expanding number of children we would love to have another volunteer or two come forward to help with this group.

Each year I provide a supporting reference for families applying for secondary school places at St Bede’s School. (The qualification for this church support is regular attendance at church services over the previous three years.) This year St Bede’s had an unusually high number of applications and our church families have had an uncomfortable wait to see if places became available. It is both a relief to them and a cause of joy to me that every family that I gave support to has now been offered a place for September.

May you know the joy and presence of the Holy Spirit,

Tim

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Services for 6th April: 5th Sunday of Lent

• 8am: Holy Communion

• 10am: Family Service: Mary anoints Jesus

  • With our junior choir

• 1pm: Parish Lunch for April

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Services & Events for Next Week

• Wednesday 9th April

  • 10am: Mid-week Communion Service. With our Mothers' Union branch, followed by coffee in the Meeting Room

  • 11:15am: A Lent Reflection led by Anne Rusbridge

  • 12 noon onwards: Lent lunch is served. Any donations for the Lent lunch (after expenses) will go to the Bishop of Southwark’s Lent Call. This is raising funds for projects that help children and young people recover from trauma and which encourage their mental wellbeing. We are supporting this type of work in the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, in our Link Dioceses in Zimbabwe and here in our own diocese.

• Thursday 10th April 9pm Service of Compline in the Chapel

  • This is our monthly service of Compline and follows the final Lent Study Group. You do not need to come to the Lent Group to come to this service.

  • This monthly service will resume at the usual time of 8pm on Thursday 8th May being the second Thursday of the month.

• Sunday 13th April

  • 8am: Holy Communion

  • 10am: Parish Communion Service & Palm Procession: The King comes to Jerusalem

    • With Church Explorers (our Junior Church) which gathers in the Meeting Room

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For our Prayers

We continue to pray for Revd Sharon Blain, and for Judith and Richard Shipman as they support Tom and his children, and for Vicki currently in Guy’s hospital being treated for a drug sensitivity.

We give thanks for the life of John Gollop, Richard’s father.

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MU Make a Mothers' Day Appeal

There is still time to contribute to the Mothers’ Union 'Give the Gift of Peace’. Information about this years’ appeal and the gifts available is at the back of church. To make a donation, please contact any of the MU committee, Karen Connor, Margaret Fitch, Margaret Fox and Rosemary Bennion. Thank you to people who have contributed already.

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Lent Study Group

The final session of this group is on Thursday 10th April 8.15 pm (Meeting Room) followed by 9pm Service of Compline in the chapel.

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Maundy Thursday Commemoration of the Last Supper 6.30pm

To help the caterers, please sign up for this interweaving of worship and a meal on the list at the back of church. For details of all Holy Week and Easter services and events please see the information below.

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Confirmation in 2025

We will be hosting a Confirmation Service for Reigate Deanery on Sunday 15th June at 5 pm. Confirmation preparation sessions for older children and for adults and will take place over six weeks on Sunday afternoons starting on May 4th. Please let Tim the Vicar know if you would like to prepare for Confirmation or if you have questions about what is involved.

Adults can also prepare by taking part in this year’s Lent Group. Thank you for those of you who have already told me about your interest in Confirmation.

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Electoral Roll Revision

Thank you to everyone who has returned a form already. There are two weeks left to complete and return a form via the return box at the back of the church.

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Calendar

Don't forget to check the Church Calendar for all our upcoming events!