Christ Church and St Mark s Parish Information Sheet for February and March 2016 How About Joining Us For Lent? Details of small groups meeting in Watford during Lent 2016 to which all are welcome. MONDAYS 7:30 9:00pm 7:45 9:00pm 8:00 9:30 pm TUESDAYS 10:30 12noon 40 Parkside Drive WD17 3AX All Saints Leavesden All Saints Crescent WD25 0LU North Watford Methodist The Harebreaks WD24 6NF Bushey & Oxhey Methodist Chalk Hill WD19 4DA The Pilgrim s Progress Led by Rev d Ian Pankhurst (07868 120253). Starts 15 th February and runs for five weeks. Windows to God Led by Ms Sue Oxlade (allsaintsleavesden@btconnect.com / 661862). Starts 15 th February and runs for five weeks. John: The other gospel Led by Rev d Geoffrey Farrar (221872 / geoffrey.farrar@methodist.org.uk) Starts 15 th February and runs for 6 weeks. John: The other gospel Led by Rev d Geoffrey Farrar (221872 / geoffrey.farrar@methodist.org.uk) Starts 16 th February and runs for 6 weeks. WEDNESDAYS 12:30 pm St Mark s Leggatts Way WD24 5NQ 7:30 pm Christ Church St Albans Road WD24 5BD The Psalms - prayers for today's church The ancient poems we call Psalms are over 2000 years old yet they have stood the test of time and address many of the problems we still face: violence, injustice, anger and bewilderment! Led by Rev d Duncan Campbell (674142 / vicarccwatford@gmail.com). Starts 17 th February and runs for five weeks. This session will include a bread, soup and cheese lunch, so please let Duncan know if you hope to attend. The Psalms - prayers for today's church See St. Mark s above. Please note that the first session of this course will be on Thursday, 18 th February but will be on Wednesdays thereafter. Coffee and biscuits provided. There is no need to let the organiser know in advance for this session. THURSDAYS 2:30 4:00pm SUNDAYS 6:30 8:00pm 17 Alexandra Road WD17 4QX North Watford Church of the Nazarene 19 Balmoral Road WD24 4ER The Pilgrim s Progress Led by Rev d Ian Pankhurst (07868 120253). Starts 18 th February and runs for five weeks. Faith in Growth Unpacking Jesus Christ: from Christmas to Easter and Beyond Led by Rev d Michael Lowenberg (07845 682327 / pastor.mike@watford-nazarene.org.uk). Starts 14 February and runs for 10 weeks. For full details, see the LENT TOGETHER leaflet: pick one up in church or download one from our website.
A Lent Challenge Instead of just giving up something for Lent like chocolate, sweets or alcohol, why not do something to achieve a positive outcome? How about knitting a square a day through Lent (or one a week if you don t knit very fast)? To knit 6inch squares, use double knitting yarn and size 4mm needles (old size 8). Depending on your tension, cast on 30 stitches and knit garter stitch (plain) until your work measures 6 inches and then cast off. (Approximately 52 rows.) You can use any colour or even use up scraps from other projects. The resulting squares will be sewn together to make blankets which will be sent to Kwa Mkono Disabled Children s Trust. If anyone has any odd bits of wool that they would like to donate, please give them to Chris Long. We held a session on Monday, 25th January to brush up our knitting skills and enjoy a cuppa together while we produced squares. FLOWER ARRANGING Jenny Sleeper will soon be organising the rota for Christ Church flower arrangers and is planning to draft the rotas in February ready for the final version to be handed out in March. Flowers are only displayed from Easter Sunday through to Remembrance Sunday with the exception of Christmas. She would welcome more volunteers men or women - as poor health has unfortunately meant that one of our volunteers has had to drop out. You do not need to be an expert or experienced in arranging flowers just willing. On average an arranger is called upon 4-5 times a year to do the flowers but help is also welcomed at Easter, Harvest and Christmas. If a new volunteer would like to be shown the ropes or shadow an arranger then this could be arranged. Or perhaps someone would like to volunteer but only for a specified number of times in the year. Even once would be welcomed. It may be that some of you from Gather Round Ladies would like to do an arrangement on the shelf at the back of the church only to try out all those tips that you have been given by Lorraine? If you are interested or would like to know more about what is involved, then please speak to Jenny in church or on 01923 236847 or email her on mickandjenny.sleeper@orange.net - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gather Round Ladies Autumn 2015 It's a new year so that must mean that Gather Round...Ladies has been organising its forthcoming meetings, and as this is Gather Round...Ladies that was done whilst eating lovely food, and drinking tea or coffee! So we cordially invite any women to join us: firstly on February 9th for a sedate Pancake Party, then on March 8th when we will take the opportunity to join in with the challenge of knitting or crocheting for Lent. We are hoping to have outside speakers come to visit us on April 12th and May 10th; please keep an eye on the weekly notice sheet and this magazine for details of the topics nearer the time. Coffee, Tea and Cakes Our coffee mornings are normally at Christ Church from 10am to 12 noon on the first Saturday of every month. Our next Coffee, Tea and Cakes will be on: Saturday 6th February and Saturday 5th March All Welcome. - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Do You Have a Christ Church Key? Paul is updating the church key list and would like everyone to email him on: wjpp@ppratchett.freeserve.co.uk or put in writing which keys you have in your possession. Also please remember to check the church and hall toilets as well as the rooms are empty before you lock up.
I would like to receive an Invitation to the Over 60s Party Name Address....POSTCODE:. Tel. No.. Return to: Parish Office, St Mark s, Leggatts Way, Watford, Herts. WD24 5NQ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OVER 60s SPRING PARTY SATURDAY 23 RD APRIL 2016 4-8PM This year's over-sixties party is to take place on St. George s Day. 2016 is a year in which we can celebrate the memorable and remarkable milestones that Queen Elizabeth II has reached. Not only will she have reached the age of 90 years two days before this party, but on 7 th September 2015 she became the longest reigning monarch breaking her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria's record of 63 years, seven months and two days on the throne. We are therefore planning to commemorate this remarkable achievement and would be delighted to receive any ideas that you may have but we would like you to participate by bringing along your royal memorabilia that we could display at the party. This can include: commemorative china, cutlery, knick-knacks, etc., as well as newspaper and magazine articles or perhaps you have photos of one of the many street parties that took place on our Queen s Coronation or her Silver, Golden or Diamond Jubilees. Invitations: Volunteers to deliver party invitations will be much appreciated. These will be in church either the second or third Sunday in March. Can you please let Lynne Mallows in the Parish Office know if you have not received an invitation in the past and would like to come to this year s party or complete the slip above. Also, if you know anyone living in our parish who might like to come especially the lonely, housebound or bereaved please spread the word and let us have their contact details. The Parish Information sheet - scheduled to be published in April - will outline other ways in which you can help make this party a success. Party Committee members are: Bob Mackie, Lynne Mallows, Moira Morgan, Jenny Sleeper and Chris Woodward. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We are a Fairtrade parish. DATES IN FEBRUARY 2016 3rd Wed 10.00am 3rd Wed 11.00am 3rd Wed 12.30-2.00pm 3rd Wed 7.30-9.00pm 6th Sat 10.00am- 12.00noon 6th Sat 10.00am-2.00pm 7th Sun 8.00am 7th Sun 9.30am 7th Sun 10.30am 7th Sun 11.00am 7th Sun 4.00pm 9th Tue 7.45 for 8.00pm start Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Christ Church Morning worship at Courtland Lodge Lunch & Bible Study on the Parables at St Mark s. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Soup, bread, cheese & coffee provided. If possible, please let Duncan know if you hope to attend Bible Study on the Parables at Christ Church. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Coffee and biscuits provided Coffee, Tea & Cakes in Christ Church Lift Off! Toy cleaning at St Marks (help needed to clean toys; lunch provided) Holy Communion at Christ Church Parish Communion at St Mark's Fairtrade Stall after the service at St Mark's Morning Prayer at Christ Church Afternoon worship in Hollytree House Lounge Gather Round...Ladies at Christ Church: Pancakes
10th Wed 10th Wed 10.00am 10th Wed 12.30-2.00pm 10th Wed 7.30pm 10th Wed 8.15-9.15pm 12th Fri 4.30-6:30pm 13th Sat 9.30-11.00am 14th Sun 9.30am 14th Sun 11.00am 14th Sun 6.30pm FEBRUARY continued Ash Wednesday Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Christ Church Lunch & Bible Study on the Parables at St Mark s. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Soup, bread, cheese & coffee provided. If possible, please let Duncan know if you hope to attend Ash Wednesday Communion Service at St Mark's Bible Study on the Parables at St Mark's. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Coffee and biscuits provided. Please note change of time and venue Lift Off! Family film night in Christ Church Hunt Hall Lift Off! Messy Breakfast at St Mark's Morning Prayer at St Mark's Parish Communion and baptism at Christ Church Evening Worship at St Mark's 15th Mon 9.30am-2.30pm Lift Off! Holiday Club at St Andrews 16th Tue 9.30am-2.30pm Lift Off! Holiday Club at St Andrews 16th Tue 2.30pm Tuesday Circle at St Mark's: Crime Prevention 17th Wed 10.00am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Christ Church 17th Wed 12.30-2.00pm "Churches Together" Lent meeting 1: The Psalms - prayers for today's church at St Mark s. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Soup, bread, cheese & coffee provided. If possible, please let Duncan know if you hope to attend 17th Wed evening "Churches Together" visit to St Albans Abbey 18th Thurs 7.30-9.00pm "Churches Together" Lent meeting 1: The Psalms - prayers for today's church at Christ Church. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Coffee and biscuits provided. Please note change of day 19th Fri 4.30-6.00pm Lift Off! Games Night at Christ Church 20th Sat 9.30-11.00am Lift Off! Messy Breakfast at Christ Church 21st Sun 8.00am Holy Communion at Christ Church, followed by breakfast 21st Sun 9.30am Parish Communion at St Mark's 21st Sun 11.00am Morning Prayer at Christ Church 21st Sun 12.00noon Fairtrade Stall after the service at Christ Church 21st Sun 4.00-6.00pm Messy Church at Christ Church 22nd Mon 3.45-4.45pm Lift Off! Explorers at St Marks for children in school years 2 and 3. N.B. This will be weekly at St Marks, during term time 24th Wed 10.00am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Christ Church 24th Wed 12.30-2.00pm "Churches Together" Lent meeting 2: The Psalms - prayers for today's church at St Mark s. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Soup, bread, cheese & coffee provided. If possible, please let Duncan know if you hope to attend 24th Wed 7.30-9.00pm "Churches Together" Lent meeting 2: The Psalms - prayers for today's church at Christ Church. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Coffee and biscuits provided 24th Wed 7.30pm St Mark's Monthly Prayer Meeting at 26 Hollytree House 26th Fri 4.30-6.00pm Lift Off! Art Club at Christ Church 27th Sat 7.30am Men's Breakfast at St Mark's 27th Sat 10.00am-4.00pm Lift Off! Garden Day at St Marks. (Help needed to clear and build; lunch provided) 28th Sun 9.30am Morning Prayer at St Mark's 28th Sun 11.00am Parish Communion and Sunday School at Christ Church 28th Sun 6.30pm Evening Worship at Christ Church 29th Mon 3.45-4.45pm Lift Off! Explorers at St Marks for children in school years 2 and 3
DATES IN MARCH 2016 2nd Wed 10.00am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Christ Church 2nd Wed 11.00am Morning worship at Courtland Lodge 2nd Wed 12.30-2.00pm "Churches Together" Lent meeting 3: The Psalms - prayers for today's church at St Mark s. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Soup, bread, cheese & coffee provided. If possible, please let Duncan know if you hope to attend 2nd Wed 7.30-9.00pm "Churches Together" Lent meeting 3: The Psalms - prayers for today's church at Christ Church. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Coffee and biscuits provided 5th Sat 10.00am- Coffee, Tea & Cakes in Christ Church 12.00noon 6th Sun Mothering Sunday 6th Sun 9.30am Parish Communion at St Mark's. We welcome a speaker from the Children's Society 6th Sun 10.30am Fairtrade Stall after the service at St Mark's 6th Sun 11.00am Service at Christ Church. We welcome a speaker from the Children's Society 6th Sun 4.00pm Afternoon worship in Hollytree House Lounge 7th Mon 3.45-4.45pm Lift Off! Explorers at St Marks for children in school years 2 and 3 8th Tue 7.45 for 8.00pm start 9th Wed 10.00am Gather Round...Ladies in Christ Church hall: knitting or crocheting squares to make blankets for Kwa Mkono Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Christ Church 9th Wed 12.30-2.00pm "Churches Together" Lent meeting 4: The Psalms - prayers for today's church at St Mark s. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Soup, bread, cheese & coffee provided. If possible, please let Duncan know if you hope to attend 9th Wed 7.30-9.00pm "Churches Together" Lent meeting 4: The Psalms - prayers for today's church at Christ Church. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Coffee and biscuits provided 11th Fri 4.30-6:30pm Lift Off! Family film night in Christ Church Hunt Hall 12th Sat 9.30-11.00am Lift Off! Messy Breakfast at St Mark's 13th Sun 9.30am Morning Prayer at St Mark's 13th Sun 11.00am Parish Communion and Sunday School at Christ Church 13th Sun 6.30pm Evening Worship at St Mark's 14th Mon 3.45-4.45pm Lift Off! Explorers at St Marks for children in school years 2 and 3 15th Tue 2.30pm Tuesday Circle at St Mark's: Making Easter Cards 16th Wed 10.00am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Christ Church 16th Wed 12.30-2.00pm "Churches Together" Lent meeting 5: The Psalms - prayers for today's church at St Mark s. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Soup, bread, cheese & coffee provided. If possible, please let Duncan know if you hope to attend 16th Wed 7.30-9.00pm "Churches Together" Lent meeting 5: The Psalms - prayers for today's church at Christ Church. All welcome, whether you can come to one or all. Coffee and biscuits provided 17th Thur 7.30pm PCC Meeting at Christ Church 18th Fri 4.30-6.00pm Lift Off! Games Night at Christ Church 19th Sat 9.30-11.00am Lift Off! Messy Breakfast at Christ Church 20th Sun Palm Sunday 20th Sun 8.00am Holy Communion at Christ Church, followed by breakfast 20th Sun 9.30am Parish Communion at St Mark's 20th Sun 11.00am Morning Prayer at Christ Church 20th Sun 12.00noon Fairtrade Stall after the service at Christ Church 20th Sun 4.00-6.00pm Messy Church at Christ Church
MARCH continued 21st Mon 3.45-4.45pm Lift Off! Explorers at St Marks for children in school years 2 and 3 23rd Wed 10.00am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Christ Church 23rd Wed 7.30pm St Mark's Monthly Prayer Meeting at 26 Hollytree House 24th Thur Maundy Thursday 24th Thur 7.30-8.45pm Passover style liturgy with Holy Communion followed by meal at Christ Church 24th Thur 9.00- Prayer Vigil at Christ Church concluding with Compline 10.00pm 25th Fri Good Friday 25th Fri 10.00-10.15am Short service at the Bandstand, near the Town Hall, followed by a Walk of Witness to Watford Town Centre to present the Easter story at 10.45am 25th Fri 2.00pm Good Friday service: An Hour at the Cross at Christ Church 26th Sat 7.30am Men's Breakfast at St Mark's 26th Sat 9.30am Decoration of both churches for Easter. Help needed please 26th Sat 11.00am- Lift Off! Easter Fun Day and Fayre at St Marks 1.00pm 27th Sun Easter Day 27th Sun 8.00am Holy Communion at Christ Church 27th Sun 10.00am Joint Communion service at St Mark's 28th Mon Pilgrimage to St Albans. Details to follow 30th Wed 10.00am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Christ Church NEXT EDITION The next edition of the Information Sheet will be published at the beginning of April, to cover all events in April and May. If you have any dates or information for inclusion, please send them to the Parish Office. Send in your articles, dates or information either: In written format and put through the Parish Office letter box by 21st March, or Via email to ccwatford@btinternet.com, or Simply telephone Lynne on 01923 681972 to discuss options. Vicar: CHRIST CHURCH & ST MARK S, WATFORD MISSION STATEMENT WE ARE people who are drawn together by our Christian belief and our response to God. WE BELIEVE that God reveals himself to us in many ways as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that people can live in a loving relationship with God and with each other in Christ. WE AIM to follow Christ's teaching and example, living a full life in every community in which we are involved, sharing our faith with others through example, worship and service. www.christchurchandstmarkswatford.org.uk Parish Office Lynne Mallows, St Mark s Church, Leggatts Way, Watford, Herts. WD24 5NQ Phone 01923 681972 email: ccwatford@btinternet.com Rev Duncan Campbell Christ Church Vicarage, Leggatts Way WD24 5NQ Email: vicarccwatford@gmail.com phone: 01923 674142 or 07806602093 Readers: Mr Keith Cheyney, 44 Ridgehurst Avenue (894721) Mrs Sue Pankhurst, 2 Albert Road North (249139) Ms Vicky O Kelly Church Wardens: Mr Paul Pratchett 01923 675173 email: wjpp@ppratchett.freeserve.co.uk Mrs Janice Richardson Children s and Young Families' Outreach Worker (for our parish and St Andrew s) Claire Locke Email: claire_outreach@yahoo.com. Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/cma.outreach