Church News
LENT COURSE: We will be running an online Lent course using Zoom on Wednesday afternoons on February 24th, March 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th at 2.30pm. We will be using a book by Paula Gooder entitled Lentwise: Spiritual Essentials for Real Life – As we journey through life, we face challenges – both big and small. What spiritual essentials will help us survive life’s storms? Lentwise is a five-session course which helps us to deal with the rigors of real life. Using fresh insights from John’s gospel, it explores direction, nourishment, wisdom, refreshment and security. It is advisable to have a copy of the book if you plan to attend the course. ISBN: 9780715142158 (£6.99). If you wish to attend, please could you email me on: hahlive@gmail.com to give an idea of numbers. Zoom invitations will be given nearer the time. All are most welcome. Blessings, Heidi
JOURNEY WITH JESUS is an online retreat for families (with children aged about 3-11 years). It’s on Good Friday, 2nd April from 10.30am – 12pm and there will be stories, activities to do at home, and meditations. Activities will be flexible, and families will be encouraged to use what they have at home (contents of recycling, stones, sticks, pen and paper, etc). The event is free, but registration is required: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/journey-with-jesus-yac-tickets-141832933121 Places are going fast, so sign up soon!
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD: There are some online conferences at the end of March if you would like to know more about OCC’s work. Please see: https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/connect-conference-signup/ It’s estimated that 250,000 boxes have been sent to Albania, Bosnia, Belarus, Central Asia, Moldova, Nigeria and Serbia. Thank you for your support!
ROYSTON AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY TRANSPORT – THE WAY FORWARD
While the Government Lockdown is in force we can still only offer medical transport, BUT with the “road map” published we can look forward to “taking you where you need to go” as our motto says. As shops and hairdressers open, as social visits to family and friends are allowed, we will resume our service to match. Of course, actual dates may change, but please always feel able to call our booking line 01763 245228 between 9:00 am and 3:00pm Monday to Friday to check if we are able to match your needs. Be assured, we will monitor the regulations and adapt as best we can!
MORNING PRAYER: During Lent we will be holding Morning Prayer on Zoom on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9am. No experience necessary and attendees can participate as much as they wish. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to ask Reg or myself. Zoom invitations can be found in the weekly email notices from Church. All are most welcome, Heidi.
CHRIS WALLIS PRESERVES
New season marmalade is now available. I have these varieties:
- Seville Orange
- Dark Chunky Seville Orange (very intense flavour)
- Seville Orange and Lime
- Seville Orange and Apricot
- Seville Orange and Ginger
- Grapefruit with Juniper Berries and Rosemary
Unfortunately I have had to increase the price for the first time in over 5 years. The cost of jars, sugar and especially fruit have all risen significantly over the last couple of years. The new price is £3.
I also have Red Tomato Chutney, Green Tomato Chutney, Pear Chutney and Beetroot Chutney still available at £2.50. All proceeds to Church funds.
Please email or phone Joanne with orders.
TWIN YOUR VACCINE? Your two doses of vaccine (depending on which kind you had) might be worth between £4 and £30. If you could have afforded to buy it for yourself, please consider twinning your vaccination by donating to Unicef. Rev’d Scott Patteson and his wife, Rowan have set up a JustGiving page which will be linked to Unicef’s Covax project. For more details, please see: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/RowanPatterson
FUNDRAISING COOK BOOK: Our new recipe book, Thoroughly Modern Beeton is now ready and on sale at £10 each. If you want to order any please email Lynda Burns at lyndajburns@hotmail.co.uk or phone 01763 244538.
SPONSOR A CHAIR. So far we have received sponsorship for 120 chairs, raising a fantastic £30,000 (including gift aid) towards our church refurbishment fund. There is still plenty of opportunity to sponsor a chair, at the cost of £250 per chair. If you would like a copy of the sponsor form please link to the webpage. Sponsor a Chair
Ruth savage@hotmail.co.uk or ring Joanne 01763 24691
28 TOO MANY: Ann-Marie Wilson is doing a sponsored cycle ride in her sitting room where she will cycle for 28 minutes at a time whilst thinking about each of the 28 countries that she supports through her work for 28 Too Many. Any money donated will be matched by a third party. Please see: www.justgiving.com/campaign/Challenge28
ROYSTON FOOD BANK needs the following items jam, Long life milk, tuna, tinned meat, tinned fruit(not peaches), pasta sauces (but not pasta), and coffee. Please can you take these items to your local collection point, or to the food bank at the Evangelical Church on York Way on Wednesday or Saturday from 10am-12noon. Thank you all for your help, Annette Guttridge
DAILY HOPE offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line. A Church of England initiative in partnership with CONNECTIONS at Holy Trinity Claygate, and Faith in Later Life. The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind. “With many in our country on lockdown, it’s important that we support those who are feeling lonely and isolated, whatever age they are” Archbishop Justin Welby.
BE ALERT TO VACCINE FRAUD Criminals are using the COVID-19 vaccine as a way to target the public by tricking them to hand over cash or financial details. They are sending convincing-looking text messages letting people know they are eligible for the vaccine or phoning people directly pretending to be from the NHS, or local pharmacy. Further information here
IN NEED OF SOME MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT? Nicky Franzen-Vipers is a local mental health first aider who also runs a local mental health peer support group which meets on Zoom the first and third Thursday of each month. All are welcome and it’s free. For more details: https://www.facebook.com/roystonrethink/