February Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: your word has been fulfilled.

Transcription

1 Parish Magazine February 2015 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people; A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel. 50p

2 February 2015 Sunday 1 THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST AT THE TEMPLE A TEAM SERVICE AT ST CATHERINE'S CHURCH 10:30 AM Monday 2 Tuesday pm Meet and Make at St Andrew's Centre 7:30 pm Mass at St Mary's Church Wednesday 4 Mass at all three churches - see the back cover 8 pm Baptism Preparation at St Catherine's Hall Thursday 5 12:30 pm Mothers Union Shared Lunch at St Andrew's Centre Friday 6 9 am to 12 noon Tea and Coffee at St Andrew's Centre Saturday 7 9 am to 12 noon Tea and Coffee at St Andrew's Centre "Messy Church" St Andrew's Church Sunday 8 The Second Sunday before Lent Monday 9 Tuesday pm Meet and Make at St Andrew's Centre There will be no mass at St Mary's this evening Deanery Synod at St Catherine's Church Wednesday 11 Mass at all three churches - see the back cover 7:30 pm DCC at St Mary's Church Thursday 12 Friday 13 9 am to 12 noon Tea and Coffee at St Andrew's Centre Saturday 14 9 am to 12 noon Tea and Coffee at St Andrew's Centre Sunday 15 The Sunday Next before Lent Monday 16 Tuesday pm Meet and Make at St Andrew's Centre 7:30 pm Mass at St Mary's Church Wednesday 18 ASH WEDNESDAY Mass at all three churches - see the back cover 8 pm Mass with Imposition of Ashes at St Mary's Church 7:30 pm Mothers Union Meeting at St Catherine's Hall Thursday 19 Prayer and Meditation at St Catherine's Church Friday 20 9 am to 12 noon Tea and Coffee at St Andrew's Centre 8 pm St Andrew's Development Committee Saturday 21 9 am to 12 noon Tea and Coffee at St Andrew's Centre Sunday 22 The First Sunday of Lent Monday 23 LENT GROUPS BEGIN Tuesday pm Meet and Make at St Andrew's Centre 7:30 pm Mass at St Mary's Church

3 8:15 pm St Mary's Vicarage Education Committee Wednesday 25 Mass at all three churches - see the back cover 8 pm God Squad at St Mary's House Thursday 26 8pm Wedding Preparation at St Mary's Church Hall Friday 27 9 am to 12 noon Tea and Coffee at St Andrew's Centre 28 Men's Fellowship meeting at St Catherine's Hall 9 am to 12 noon Tea and Coffee at St Andrew's Centre MURDER MYSTERY EVENING pm at St Mary's Hall Wickford and Runwell Team Ministry Supporting Basildon Women s Refuge Due to lack of space; Please only take items to St. Andrew s Church on the last FRIDAY (or as near as possible) of each month; then they can be taken to the refuge. If you are unable to take our offering to St. Andrew s then please do pass it to one of your Church Wardens or your Priest. MEET & MAKE Meet and make is EVERY WEEK on Tuesdays at 2p.m. to 4p.m so please come and join us. Don t worry if you do not have a "project" going there is always something to join in with, over refreshments, chat and laughter. You can contact Val on , or Vicky on EMERGENCY PRAYER CIRCLE The emergency prayer circle, a valuable and valued resource in the parish. You are very welcome to contact the circle directly, rather than via one of the clergy; if you know someone who is a member please speak to them directly, or contact Jeannette on ' St Catherine's 100 club 1st. J. Bullock 2nd. C. Beauchamp 3rd. M. Ellis

4 'Who is my neighbour?' First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me. I'm writing just before Holocaust Memorial Day, and in the next few days I am sure that the words of Martin Niemoller, a German pastor who was himself imprisoned in Dachau, will be widely quoted. They are in my mind now not just because of newspaper reports about a rise in antisemitism. They are in my mind because of a wider intolerance of others, of those who are not like us, which seems to be bubbling up all around. In the coming months, as politicians gear up for the general election, I fear that there will be all too many who build on anxieties over immigration to create real hostility to those born outside this country. Terrifying recent events in Paris have brought close to home something of the suffering which people in the Middle East and parts of Africa know only too well, as a result of an extremism which has become prevalent among a tiny minority of the world's Muslims. And this seems to make it allowable to speak and to act in ways which demean and degrade people who are different from us. Yet, we claim that each human being bears the image of God. And in the parable of the Good Samaritan we are told that our neighbour, the one we

5 are to love (and in the story, the one who gives loving, generous care), is from a different faith community, a despised group. Neimoller's words tell us the same truth in a different way; if we care only for our own, then who will care for us? What can we do about this? We can choose our own words carefully. We can challenge others when we hear opinions which build up hostility and hatred rather than care and acceptance. We can live, speak, and even vote, as people who love our neighbours. Jane Reflections on Auschwitz, Poland This is certainly not one of the most common places to go on holiday, however, an from a holiday company detailing a special offer to Krakow, Poland included a trip to Auschwitz and Birkenhau and I felt that this was where we were meant to go after Christmas. I prepared as much as possible, after all I was going with my daughter to an unknown country and I didn t speak the language either! With a cab collecting us on arrival at the airport and finding our accommodation without hitch and the apartment was amazing - there was no mistaking the feeling that this was a special trip. We arrived in Krakow Boxing day and this is also a public holiday and therefore virtually everything except the hotel was closed. We was however able to get a pizza takeaway for tea, the hotel had Wifi Juliette was happy! The next day, a journey of about an hour or so took us to Auschwitz. We had an English speaking tourist guide who also had grandparents who had survived being at Auschwitz during the German occupation. She also said that she felt that everybody should visit at least once in their life time but that it was not a light decision to make and she was thankful that people came still to pay their respects and acknowledge the lives that were once there. One of the most surprising things about it was that the place didn t appear that old and the buildings looked quite normal i.e. brick built.

6 The Birkenhau buildings on a separate site not far away however were like horse stables, being made of wood and having brick built chimneys each end. It was really hard to conceive that had my daughter and I arrived there not so many years ago, that within a few hours we would have been sent to the gas chambers! These were conveniently situated next to the crematorium and my thoughts were that only evil could have thought this up to be so close to get rid of the bodies. Children and often their mothers were not considered useful because they couldn t work as much as men and therefore were useless to the Nazis. These events took part only 70 years ago. It is also still very hard to take in that human beings could be so cruel to other human beings and that millions of people lost their lives there in fact they do not know the exact numbers because the Germans burned the documentation. There had been the first snow of winter the day before too but despite the freezing cold, my thoughts were of all the people who had suffered these conditions every day during the winter and often only 6 months of the rest of their lives there, without enough food or clothing to keep them warm. I also thought of the fact that the people sent there were not so different from ourselves had faith, thought work was a good thing to do, and loved their families. There were rooms full of belongings including labelled suitcases, and shoes, and human hair. All of these things the Germans sold on to make money from the people they had brought there. People often ask, why did God allow such things to happen? Why didn t He stop it from happening or continuing? I genuinely do not believe that God wants suffering such as this and I certainly believe that these people would have been saved, and gone to be with the Lord. What I felt was that there were examples of faith in action in the lives of the people within the camps that demonstrated love, compassion, sharing, sacrifice and hope. I was glad that Juliette came with me too because I felt that this was an important lesson for her a message for a next generation not to allow another holocaust and to show respect and be thankful. Emma Houghton We are also remember that Harry Skeggs wrote for the magazine, some time ago, about his experiences as one of those who liberated one of the camps at the end of the War.

7 Lent 2015: During Lent this year we will be holding a 5 week York Course, Praise Him. We are used to singing hymns of praise when we go to church but often we miss the hymns and poems that are there in the New Testament. This course will explore five different Songs of Praise from the New Testament, looking at what they tell us about God and Jesus but also reflecting on what they tell us about us and our faith. It is intended to hold sessions on Monday afternoon, Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon and evening, each session will last approx. 1 ½ hours. Please look out for the forms in church to sign up to a session. We are also looking for hosts that would be prepared to house a group & anyone who would like to lead a group. The courses will start w/c 23 rd February and run through the 5 weeks of lent. As this is a York course there will be a small charge for the resource booklet of 1 per week however (if this is an issue please do not let this stop you from signing up but I would ask if you could let us know). For further details please discuss with your Priest or contact Steve Lissenden

8 The Murder Mystery Returns Tickets are available (from the usual suspects) Linda Payne and wardens St Mary's Church Hall February 28th for 7:30 pm

9 A FAREWELL TO PAT At the end of January we said goodbye to Pat Hughes, as she prepared to move to be nearer her family Colchester. When I arrived in 2011, Pat was warden at St Andrew's - what a support, and what a friend she has proved. But others have known her much longer so - Some words from Margaret Maguire We shall be so sorry to say goodbye to Pat; for so long she has been at the centre of our life at St. Andrew s and is well loved by us and by members of our other churches. Pat has many talents and has of course been a most competent and reliable church warden but more importantly she is a kind and generous person, ready to help in any situation, ready to share what she has with us all. Her garden has hosted so many picnics with much of the food cooked by her, the wonderful flowerbeds tended by her and most of the preparation done by her. When her friends have been unwell Pat has soon been at the door with a dish of hot food, when someone has a special celebration she is there with flowers. Coffee mornings will never be the same, Pat s apple pies and scones are famous but we will do our best to ensure the show goes on. What fun we ve had on our many walking weekends and Pat kept them in our memories with the witty odes she has written for the magazine. I doubt she included the time she did a sword dance outside the hostelry in Bourton in the Water using walking sticks as her swords. We can all vouch that she had only had one small glass of wine,

10 Just a few of the very best memories feature in Mick Maguire's ODE TO A CHURCH WARDEN Farewell to Pat our dear loved friend as you disappear around the bend. Atop your mower to pastures new no more to behold the grass that grew and grew. Farewell to altar linens, irons and more, as you guide your craft towards the distant shore. Farewell the Cliffs, the music, pleasure, long walks o'er stiles in wintry weather. Farewell the mud, the wine, the sticks, the dance, so many joys that did your life enhance. Farewell the lonely heron, with plumage so fantastic, Oh what a shame, you looked again, it all had turned to plastic. Whate'er the future brings for you we pray it will be kind and God will look on you as the best of human kind. We in turn will remember you and hold you in our hearts, as we look back and see you at toil, baking apple tarts. MHM Pat, celebrating her 80th birthday in style. We wish her every joy in her new home.

11 PROGRESS REPORT FROM ST ANDREW'S CHURCH Regular members of our three congregations will be among those who have received (I hope) a copy of a questionnaire asking for views on the future development of St Andrew's. Asking for (and welcoming) your views is part of the process of discerning what that future might be. While we could and should dream dreams and come up with plans, there are practicalities to be considered as well, and areas where we will need professional advice. To provide some initial help with these, we are applying to the diocese for a grant towards a 'Feasibility Study'. This is something which is often offered to parishes seeking to reimagine and renew the way in which their buildings serve both the worshipping community and the wider neighbourhood: grants of between 1,500 and 3,000 are given to fund a consultant (usually someone with an architectural or surveying background) to help explore both needs and possibilities. Our grant application should be submitted in early March: watch this space for the result, and in the meantime please fill in those questionnaires and return them to St Andrew's. Your thoughts, and those of your friends and neighbours will be very welcome. Jane

12 CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! For the first time in many years, Wickford and Runwell parish has paid our 'share' to the diocese in full; this is the sum which goes from the parish towards providing our clergy. With relatively small congregations and few other sources of income, it's a real challenge for the parish to raise the money; all the more reason therefore to say 'thank you' to all those who give regularly and generously to make possible the life and mission of our churches - and also to say 'thank you' to our treasurers who work so hard and so carefully in keeping us on the right financial tracks. Jane MORE WOOL FOR MEET AND MAKE So fast and productively do the fingers fly at Meet and Make that stocks of wool for blanket squares and baby clothes are running low. Check those cupboards: if you have a few spare balls of wool tucked away, how about liberating them for a new life on Tuesday afternoons? They can be left at St Andrew's, or even better, brought along to one of our meetings.

13 It is with sadness that we hear of Sylvia's death and our thoughts and prayers are with Derrick and their family at this time. Sylvia was a quiet and gentle person with a great deal of kindness and fun. With Beattie Elson she provided a foundation on which many have since built and her support for the work and people of St Mary's Church is well known. Sylvia Wright Her legacy will continue to be remembered, not least in the many knitted crib sets, Christingle oranges, flower displays, teas and coffees, choir organising and wedding singing. We are thankful for her great witness and we join with Derrick and her family and friends in thanking God for her. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Sylvia's funeral will be held at St Mary's Church on 11th February at 1 pm (followed by a committal at Basildon Crematorium) St Catherine's Church: Baptism From the Registers December 14th Chloe Ames St Mary's Church: Baptism December 28th Matilda Howard

14 Wickford & Runwell Youth (WARY) Group Programme to July 2015 DATE TIME ACTIVITY WHERE Mon 16 Feb pm Bible Study 8 Honington Cl Sun 1 Mar 4 6 pm Fencing Meet at 8 Honington Cl Mon 16 Mar pm Bible Study 8 Honington Cl Sun 29 Mar 4 6 pm Fun Games St Catherine s Hall Mon 20 Apr pm Bible Study 8 Honington Cl Mon 18 May pm Bible Study 8 Honington Cl Sun 7 Jun 4 6 pm Picnic in the Park Meet at Park Mon 22 Jun pm Bible Study 8 Honington Cl Sun 5 July 4 6 pm Beach Party Meet at 8 Honington Cl The group generally meets on the evening of the first Sunday in each month at Sue & Phil s house for a social event and the third Monday in each month for a fun but informative bible study. Dates, times and activities may be subject to change. Precise details will be confirmed at Monday meetings and by or text nearer the time. If you cannot attend a meeting or activity, please let Sue or Phil know in advance so we can plan accordingly. Sue & Phil 8 Honington Close, Shotgate SS11 8XB Sue: suemann@tiscali.co.uk Phil: phil.mann@ukgateway.net The Youth Group is part of Wickford & Runwell Parish (Church of England). Leaders have been DBS/CRB vetted.

15 Dancing, silly games, poems and a fiendish quiz... There was much hilarity at St Andrew's as we paid homage to a our patron saint, moving a celebration of that great Scot Robert Burns from an evening with haggis and whisky to an afternoon with Tunnocks Tea Cakes and good strong tea. Can you remember which three Scottish actors have played Dr Who? Have you ever known the profession of Robert Louis Stevenson's father and grandfather, or (within 20 years) the foundation date of the Royal and Ancient (golf club, that is)? We didn't know we could master Scottish country dancing, either, until we tried - though the spectators may feel that mastery is over-stating the case. Scottish accents were in short supply, so pass-the-parcel with a verse of 'To a Mouse' as the forfeit prompted some interesting attempts: by contrast, 'O my Luve's like a red, red rose' was read with great feeling. Hilarity was at its peak with the 'carve a wafer game', and there was, of course, a substantial tea (including haggis patties' ) before we concluded with all the verses of 'Auld lang syne'. For me, it is one of the great joys of St Andrew's that our building allows us in the same space to dance and to play and then to worship, so that when we gather for the eucharist we are helped to hold the whole of our lives before God, not separating our Sunday holiness from the fun, or the struggles, of the rest of the week.

16 Wickford and Runwell Mothers' Union We look forward to welcoming all our members to our lunchtime meeting on Thursday 5th. February at St. Andrew's Centre when our speaker will be Mrs Dorothy Wells. This will be our first lunchtime meeting of 2015 as our January meeting fell on New Year's Day. The evening meeting is on Wednesday February 18th. and is entitled "enlightened" come along and find out what it is all about. The opportunity for a caption was taken up by Mike Triker "You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" For those of you who don't know this is a famous quote from the film "The Italian Job" that stars three Mini Coopers (and Michael Caine and Noel Coward)

17 CMEAC? I was asked by Archdeacon Mina to be a part of CMEAC at the end of last year. I said "what?" Mina said "Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns" I said "why?" She laughed - and said "because you would be a very helpful person to have on board" I was about to say "but I am not part of a minority ethnic group - how can I know their concerns....?" What utter rubbish! "First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out " those words of Pastor Niemoller stabbed staccato into my mind and they were soon followed by John Donne - "No man is an island..." and then I thought of all those that I know who have been foolish enough to utter racist comments to me and then I remembered all the times I have uttered such words. I then I thought of all those that I know that are part of a minority ethnic group and the rubbish they often have to put up with. And I said "Yes - I would be honoured."" I am sure that this work will make me uncomfortable and cause me to make others uncomfortable - or at least I hope so. Please pray for me, the Chelmsford part of CMEAC and all those who find themselves in a marginalised minority - especially within the Anglican Church. Jo

18 WOMEN S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2015 The service this year has been prepared for us by the women of The Bahamas and is entitled: Jesus said to them: "do you know what I have done to you? ST. CATHERINE S CHURCH at a.m. Friday March 6th Our Speaker this year will be the Revd. Sue Mann and refreshments will be served afterwards in St. Catherine s Church Hall Please do come and share in this act of worship that seeks to draw us closer together across the world as we consider the lives of women in the Bahamas and in Wickford and Runwell. This act of worship is designed to embrace all people irrespective of age and gender - so please come!

19 Thought For The Day Random Acts of Kindness I thought I would share with you another of my Thoughts For The Day, written in my capacity as Team Chaplain at Basildon Hospital. This one, on the theme of kindness, was first broadcast on Basildon Hospital Radio BHR1287am on Sunday 18 th January. Good morning Peter! Good morning everyone! Since the terror attacks in Paris, and especially the attack on the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, I have been thinking a lot about kindness, and whether something as simple and under-rated as kindness has the power to change our world; to act as an anti-dote to such hatred and violence? And it seems that I m not the only one who finds them-selves wondering about the power of simple human kindness. When you do an internet search using the word kindness literally thousands of websites are returned that encourage people to work together to create a climate of kindness, and to change to world around them with simple, deliberate acts of kindness. To name but few there are the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, the World Kindness Movement, the Kindness Offensive, the Great Kindness Challenge, and the One Million Acts of Kindness Mission; all of them encouraging and supporting people in their commitment to make a difference in the world by simple, deliberate acts of kindness. It has been said that When kindness has left people, even for a few moments, we become afraid of them, as if their reason had left them, and that Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change. And I m sure all of us have experienced for ourselves the incredible difference that kindness makes a kind word that lifts our spirits, someone who holds the door open for us, a warm smile, an unexpected encouraging letter, a surprise gift, the kindness someone offers when they really listen to us and take an interest in us, the kindness of people who rally round when we are unwell. Small acts of kindness stay with us. They lift us up. They encourage us. They strengthen us. They give us hope. And they make us more able to be kind to other people around us. A small

20 act of kindness is like a pebble dropped into a pool the ripples spread out, often further than we can imagine. Someone once said, Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. So, I have been wondering this week - Could simple human kindness be the thing we need to change our world? Could we respond to random acts of terror and violence by committing ourselves to a life filled with random acts of kindness? Could we transform our world by deliberately creating a climate of kindness together? Mother Teresa of Calcutta seemed to think so. In her mind kindness was a crucial part of being a person of faith and goodwill. She famously said, Spread love everywhere you go... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better or happier. Be the living expression of God s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile; kindness in your warm greeting. And the poet, Wendy Crumpler urges us all to recognise the power of simply being kind Learn to be kind It s all that matters Kindness It ends wars It completes the circle of love. Learn this one thing Be kind And everything will flow from that like water to the ocean. So, let s just take a moment now to reflect on all of that as we listen to Daniel O Donnell singing Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

21 And to follow on from that, another poem that was too long to include in my Thought For The Day, but that I d like to share with you all A Spiritual Conspiracy On the surface of the world right now there is war and violence and things seem dark. But calmly and quietly, at the same time, something else is happening underground. An inner revolution is taking place and certain individuals are being called to a higher light. It is a silent revolution. From the inside out. From the ground up. This is a Global operation A spiritual conspiracy. There are sleeper cells in every nation on the planet. You won t see us on the T.V. You won t read about us in the newspaper. You won t hear about us on the radio. We don t seek any glory. We don t wear any uniform. We come in all shapes and sizes, colours and styles. Most of us work anonymously. We are quietly working behind the scenes in every country and culture of the world. Cities big and small, mountains and valleys, in farms and villages, tribes and remote islands. You could pass by one of us on the street and not even notice. We go undercover. We remain behind the scenes. It is of no concern to us who takes the final credit. But simply that the work gets done. Occasionally we spot each other in the street. We give a quiet nod and continue on our way. During the day many of us pretend we have normal jobs. But behind the false storefront at night is where the real work takes place.

22 Some call us the Conscious Army. We are slowly creating a new world with the power of our minds and hearts. We follow, with passion and joy our orders from the Central Spiritual Intelligence. We are dropping soft, secret love bombs when no one is looking: Poems - Hugs - Music - Photography - Movies - Kind words - Smiles - Meditation and prayer - Dance - Social activism - Websites - Blogs - Random acts of kindness We each express ourselves in our own unique ways with our own unique gifts and talents. Be the change you want to see in the world That is the motto that fills our hearts. We know it is the only way real transformation takes place. We know that quietly and humbly we have the power of all the oceans combined. Our work is slow and meticulous like the formation of mountains. It is not even visible at first glance, and yet with it entire tectonic plates shall be moved in the centuries to come. Love is the new religion of the 21st century. You don t have to be a highly educated person, or have any exceptional knowledge to understand it. It comes from the intelligence of the heart embedded in the timeless evolutionary pulse of all human beings. Be the change you want to see in the world. Nobody else can do it for you. We are now recruiting Perhaps you will join us Or already have. All are welcome... The door is open. Brian Piergrossi

23 A SPRING FAYRE Bric a Brac stall, yellow and blue stall, Raffle, Cakes, Books etc. Saturday 7th. March 9.30am - 12 noon St. Catherine's Hall, Southend Road Please imagine the beautiful yellow of the daffodils.....

24 St Paul s Cathedral Forum update-passion and Resurrection A Good Lent, A Good Easter "Because he is God, and also Friend, we are touched at the depth of our beings as we live with him through every event of his trial, death and resurrection." Justin Welby Lent and Easter are the heart of the Christian year. The revolutionary events of Jesus Passion and Resurrection are the foundation stones of Christianity, and the seasons when we explore their mysteries are at the heart of our faith. But how can we experience these seasons so that these extraordinary stories reach our hearts and change our lives? Three of the church s most senior pastors and teachers will explore the meanings of Lent, Holy Week and Easter, and the impact they can have on how we live, believe and behave. They will also reflect on their own experiences of the seasons, and offer recommendations for how we can keep them most fruitfully. The free events will all include plenty of time for questions and answers. Lent is the slow season of reflection, repentance, inwardness and change, founded in Jesus forty days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness. It survives in popular culture as a time to give something up, but what is the deeper path of taking time to make this inward journey, readying ourselves to live through Jesus betrayal, trial and death, and encounter the transforming mystery of the Resurrection? Justin Welby is the Archbishop of Canterbury. Formerly Bishop of Durham and Dean of Liverpool Cathedral, he spent 11 years working in the oil industry and was a lay leader at Holy Trinity Brompton before being ordained. Thursday 19 th February pm

25 Jesus enters into Jerusalem in triumph; a week later he is dead. Holy Week is the great crisis of Christianity, which moves at terrifying speed from the crowds hailing him, to the Last Supper, his anguished prayer in Gethsemane, and the shocking events of his betrayal, trial and execution. But it s also true that these stories can become so familiar we lose our sense of their revolutionary message about the nature of God. How can we make the pilgrimage of Holy Week, following Jesus to the cross and the silence of the tomb, in such a way as to experience these events afresh. Stephen Cottrell is Bishop of Chelmsford and formerly Bishop of Reading. He is also the author of numerous books including: The Things He Carried: A Journey to the Cross and The Nail - Being a part of the Passion. Thursday 19 th March pm Too often we think of Easter as just one day, but in reality it s the 50 day season in which we explore the disciples experiences of the risen Christ and the meaning of the Resurrection. From Mary Magdalene meeting Christ at the tomb on Easter Sunday to his great commission to the apostles to make disciples of all nations, they meet, eat with, touch and talk with the risen Christ. Lent and Holy Week are seasons to remember the past, but the time we live in now is the time of the Resurrection. How can we enter into this mysterious story and hear its call to us to rise with Christ and live new lives? Stephen Conway is Bishop of Ely and formerly Bishop of Ramsey. He is Patron of the Arthur Rank Hospice and editor and contributor to books including Living the Eucharist and This Is Our Calling. Tuesday 21 st April pm You can book events you want to attend online. or go directly to eventbrite page Carol Drummond

26 Age UK Essex Dementia Connections service would like to recruit volunteers in Wickford to help local people living with dementia. This is a short-term programme designed to help people with dementia to stay active. The service is delivered by Age UK Essex and the Alzheimer's Society. As a Dementia Connections Volunteer you will: Work with each client for up to 12 hours(total per client over a number of weeks e.g. 3 hours 1st week, 2 hours 2nd week etc.) Help each client to achieve their personal goal. This could be, for example, attending a local social group, joining a keep fit class or going for a walk. By the end of the 12 hours you will have helped your client rebuild their confidence and enabled them to reconnect with the local community. In return you will benefit from valuable training including: Corporate induction to Age UK Essex and the Alzheimer s Society Dementia Awareness Training Dementia Connections Training This varied and interesting role will suit you if you are confident talking to a range of people, a good listener and able to give up four hours a week. Travel expenses will be paid. To find out more: contact Donna on or e.mail donna.miller@ageukessex.org.uk

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29 CHELMSFORD TREE SERVICES TREE REDUCTION OR REMOVAL HEDGES TRIMMED STUMPS REMOVED LOGS FOR SALE LOCAL FAMILY RUN BUSINESS FULLY INSURED & PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION QUOTE CALL US ON: Office Mobile

30 QualitySolicitors Harvey Copping & Harrison website: wwwqualitysolicitors.com/hch De Burgh House, Market Road Wickford Essex SS12 0BB QualitySolicitors Harvey Copping & Harrison will help you protect what's precious. Whether you are moving home, making a Will, dealing with the death of a loved one or running a business. For whatever life brings. For details and a no obligation estimate of fees please feel free to telephone: Offices also at :- South Woodham Ferrers: Canvey Island Burnham-on-Crouch Golf Club Members Club for All Abilities 7 Day Full Membership 825pa ( 68.75per month) Plus Golf Union fees and monthly payment cost if applicable. No Tee Times Please call office for Current Green Fee Special Offers (Mon-Fri-conditions apply) All games must be pre booked IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A MEMBERS GOLF CLUB IN A TRANQUIL SETTING LOOK NO FURTHER For further information call Visit

31 WICKFORD AND RUNWELL TEAM MINISTRY CLERGY Jane Freeman St. Andrew s Church Norbert Mutuku St. Catherine s Church Jo Delfgou St. Mary s Church Sue Mann Reader John Knowles P.C.C. Vice-chairman Pam Petts Secretary Emma Houghton Treasurer Yvonne Branson Electoral Roll Officer Pam Petts St Andrew's Churchwarden Val Bryan Churchwarden Marina Bayley D.C.C. Secretary Pat Hughes D.C.C. Treasurer Mike Gibson Hall Lettings Reg Warne St Catherine s Churchwarden Richard Feldwick Churchwarden Andrew Morl D.C.C. Secretary Emma Houghton D.C.C. Treasurer Steve Lissenden Hall Lettings Jimmy Salmon St Mary s Churchwarden Val Harris Churchwarden Lyn Bear D.C.C. Secretary Coral Upham D.C.C. Treasurer John Skinner Hall Bookings Alan Jones Linda Payne Mothers Union Enrolling Member Jeannette Cardnell Parish Magazine Editor Publicity Jo Delfgou FOR INFORMATION ON GIFT AID AND PLANNED GIVING PLEASE CONTACT CHRIS BEAUCHAMP ON

32 SUNDAY SERVICES St Andrew's 9:30am Sung Eucharist 6:30pm Healing Eucharist (on 3 rd Sunday) St Catherine s 8:00am Holy Communion 9:30am Family Worship 11:00am Sung Eucharist 6:30pm Evening Prayer (Sung Evensong 4 th Sunday) St Mary s 9:30am Sung Eucharist 6:30pm Taizé (2 nd Sunday) WEEKDAY SERVICES Monday 9:00 am Morning Prayer at St Catherine's Tuesday 9:00 am Morning Prayer at St Andrew's 7:30 pm Eucharist at St Mary's Wednesday 9:00 am Morning Prayer at St Catherine's 9:30am Eucharist at St Catherine's 10:30 am Eucharist at St Andrew's 11:30 am Eucharist at St Mary's Thursday 9:00 am Morning Prayer at St Mary's Friday 8:30 am Morning Prayer at St Andrew's Saturday 9:30 am Morning Prayer at St Catherine's (on the first Saturday of the month) OFFICE HOURS St Andrew's Saturdays 11:00-11:30am in the Church St Catherine s Mondays 7:00-8:00pm in the Church St Mary s Mondays 7:00-7:30pm in St Mary s Hall Articles for the next Magazine to the Editor by 10th of the month Thank you - delfgou@live.co.uk And our website: