Lent will soon be upon us! 25th February 2009 is Ash Wednesday and there will be a Communion Service at St Nicholas starting at 7.30 pm.

Lent is also a good time to think about those less fortunate than ourselves and again this year we are inviting people to give money to the Send a Cow project which the church has supported for a number of years. We suggest that you find a suitable jar or container in which to place small change or gifts during Lent (last year someone filled a “Steradent” tube with £1 coins – Smartie tubes would work just as well!). Containers should be returned to church on Easter Day or as soon as possible afterwards.

Fran Bate has some leaflets with suggestions for helping children to observe Lent. Please contact her for details.

Lent is also a good opportunity to think about our own spiritual life and discipleship. Different people find different methods helpful but in common with them all is making more time for God in our lives. This may be through Bible study or prayer or reading a helpful Christian book. (Have you looked recently at the Library in the Wilberforce Hall?)

Many have found the Lent Groups for Hatchford Brook Churches Together a good opportunity for getting to know other Christians in the area. Details of the various groups are available at church.

However you choose to use this opportunity I suggest that you think and pray about it and make your commitment on Ash Wednesday.

Posted on February 13th, 2009 by Richard Huss
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Copies of the February update from David and Dawn Curran are now available ~ please take your copy with you.

In aid of our CMS Link Mission Partners we plan to do a Car Boot Sale -­ we are looking for volunteers for one day (probably a Saturday) – could that be you? For more information please contact Rob Dean.

“Sponsored Hymn Sing”  is coming to a church near you. Be ready!

Posted on February 13th, 2009 by Richard Huss
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The boiler at St. Nicholas is  coming to the end of its life and will need replacing.  Information about a replacement and costs are being obtained in order to be presented to the PCC.  It would be necessary to do this work during the summer.  It will also be necessary to launch an appeal to cover the costs.

Unfortunately some of the electrical work related to timing and thermostats has developed a fault and the heating has not come on at the proper time which has been especially noticeable during the intense cold of the last few weeks.  We are doing our best to correct this but it would be foolish to spend a lot of money on a system which will need replacing soon anyway.   For the next few weeks services will be held in the new part of the church as the wooden floor is less chilling than the stonework in the original part of the church. The oil filled radiators will give some heat and we will persevere with the boiler!

Thank you for your patience,  Paul and the Church Wardens.

Posted on February 13th, 2009 by Richard Huss
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Sing your hearts out and wave the flag!

We are intending to celebrate St. George’s Day by attending a special concert at Symphony Hall. The date is 25th April (Saturday). The cost will be approx. £15 each including transport from Valley Church Centre.

If you are interested please speak to Tony Shaw or Gill Carter for further details. Tickets will be in great demand and available from 4th March so get your names down early so we can book enough.

Posted on February 7th, 2009 by Richard Huss
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The Music Group will meet on Sunday 8th February at St. Nicholas, beginning at around 12.30 and finishing around 2pm. (Bring a snack if you want to.)

All welcome, singers and instrumentalists, even if you only want to learn some new songs.

Posted on February 7th, 2009 by Richard Huss
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