New handrails

Grab rails on the side of the porch are finally in place to assist those feeling a little less confident on their feet heading up and down the rather steep steps.

Our lovely new chancel handrails have also been installed. Elegantly crafted by a local blacksmith, the inlaid brass is particularly attractive. Again, another measure to reassure those who need a helping hand up and down our chancel steps and an important step in making sure our church remains accessible.

Lent 3 - Clocks forward! - Sunday 27th March

Don't forget to move your clocks one hour forward tonight otherwise you are in danger of missing our 10am Parish Eucharist!

Lent 2 - Sunday 20th March 2011

Our 10.00am Parish Eucharist will include readings from Paul's letter to the Romans and John's gospel.

AGM - Sunday 10th April 2011

Our Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday 10th April 2011 at 11.00am following the service. We will be electing our Church Wardens, PCC members and Diocesan representatives so please be there to participate in making these important decisions for our church.

Japan - OMF contact safe

We are pleased to be able to report that Alaric Dunsmore Rouse, our link missionary with the Overseas Missionary Fellowship in Japan, has emailed to say that he is safe and well. Alaric is based in Sapporo which is on an island to the north of Japan and away from the Sendai earthquake region.

The OMF has been able to report that all its workers are safe although some are living in difficult conditions. Please remember them in your prayers. There are updates on the situation on the OMF website which is linked from this blog.

Say One for Me this Lent

This Lent, the Church of England has launched a dedicated prayer website http://sayoneforme.org/. You can post your own prayers during Lent (up until April 23rd this year) and these will be prayed for by various Christian communities throughout the country.

Prayers will be moderated to make sure they don't contravene guidelines, and may be edited to retain privacy.

Ash Wednesday - 9th March 2011

10.00am Parish Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes will mark the beginning of this year's season of Lent. Here's an Ash Wednesday Collect to meditate upon:

Oh God, you have made us for yourself
and against your longing there is no defence.
Mark us with your love
and release in us a passion for your justice
in our disfigured world;
that we may turn from our guilt and face you,
our heart’s desire.

(Ash Wednesday collect, Janet Morley)

Sunday 6th March - Book Give Away!

March 5th is World Book Night! The following morning, Sally will be giving away copies of one of her favourite books, Mark Haddon's "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time". To receive a copy, come along to our 10.00am Parish Eucharist and join us for coffee afterwards.