Last Sunday (called the 2nd Sunday before Lent) the season of Lent still felt quite far off. Now I feel it suddenly upon us, with Ash Wednesday this week.
I’ve written about the imposition of ashes at Ash Wednesday services in the March parish magazine. You might like to take a look, and you are warmly invited to one of the services. The choral communion in the evening is particularly special.
There are lots of fresh news items below, so I hope you enjoy exploring them.
Tim
Services for 2nd March: Last Sunday before Lent
8am: Holy Communion
10am: Family Service: God's Glory Revealed
This is our monthly main service without Holy Communion and is designed for people of all ages.
Junior Choir will sing at this service.
1pm: Parish Lunch for March
Services & Events for Next Week
Wednesday 5th March
10am: Mid-week Communion Service with Ashing. With our Mother's Union branch and coffee served afterwards
7.30pm: Choral Services of Holy Communion with Ashing
Sunday 9th March
8am: Holy Communion
10am: Parish Communion: Resisting Temptation
Church Explorers gather in the meeting room before the service
For our Prayers
Last Sunday I announced in church the untimely death of Bonnie, daughter-in-law of Judith and Richard Shipman, following the emergency premature delivery of twin girls. We continue to pray for their son Tom, his two older children, for the development of the twin girls, and for Bonnie and Tom’s wider family and close friends rocked by this storm of life. May they know God with them.
We continue to pray for members of our church with long-term illnesses, and for those now in care.
Activities for Lent 2025
Ash Wednesday: 5th March at 7:30pm Choral Holy Communion with Ashing
Lent Lunches: Wednesdays 12th March—9th April (Meeting Room) 10.45 onward for coffee; 11.15 Seasonal Reflection; followed by a light lunch. Donations for lunch go to the Bishop’s Lent Appeal.
Lent Study Groups: Explore the Core Beliefs of the Christian Faith over 5 weeks; helping us to understand and live out faith as followers of Jesus Christ.
Mondays 7.30 pm (online) from 10th March to 7th April
Thursdays 8.30 pm (Meeting Room) from 13th March to 10th April
Please sign up at the back of church to show your interest in these activities.
For those who prefer a daytime Lent Group, Kingswood Parish are offering a group on Thursdays 2.30pm from 6th March hosted by Kevin and Pia Chamberlain - Fairfield, Warren Drive, Kingswood, KT20 6PY. Please contact Pia on 01737 832003.
Model Railway Exhibition: 15th March in the Church Hall 10am to 4:30pm
If you can help to sell tickets on the door for an hour please will you sign the sheet at the back of the Church. In aid of Church Funds. There are posters to take to display.
Quiz Bingo: 29th March 7-10pm (hall)
This is our next social event. There will be a bar, hot dogs/pizza and a raffle. Tickets are £5 adults, £2.50 children from 07740 373985 and events@goodshepherdtadworth.org.uk
Donations via the Children's Society Boxes
Together you raised £1334.78 via the collection boxes over the last year, a slight increase from last year. From all activities our church raised almost £2000 for the Children’s Society in 2024. If you would like a collection box for the coming year, please ask Margaret Fox.
Jumble Sale
The Jumble Sale has raised £3209.56 for church funds with a few more ‘aftersales’ to come.
Annual Church Meeting (11th May), Electoral Roll Revision and Election of Churchwardens and a new Church Council (PCC)
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting
APCM takes place on Sunday May 11th at 11.15 am. This year there are the election of all Parochial Church Council (PCC) members for a new three-year term, and the election of two Churchwardens which takes place every year. In preparation for the APCM, this year there is a complete revision of the Electoral Roll (which happens every six years).
Electoral Roll Revision
The electoral roll is the list of people who can vote for PCC members at the APCM. It is also a sign of ‘membership’ of this church. This year a completely new roll is being made, so everyone on the old roll has to make a new application, together with people who have started coming to the church more recently. Forms and the return box are at the back of the church.
Church Elections
There are lists for nominations for Churchwardens and PCC members at the back of the church.
Calendar
Don't forget to check the Church Calendar for all our upcoming events!