In March we begin the period of Lent. Those few weeks where we journey with Jesus in the wilderness preparing for the events of Easter.
Traditionally Lent has been a period of time for giving something up, fasting from something. Maybe chocolate, or fatty foods, hence the idea of Shrove Tuesday and using up some of the ingredients in the larder.
In more recent years people have also taken the opportunity to take some-thing up in Lent. To commit to one item per day to the food bank box for ex-ample, or reading a chapter of a book each day, often linked to a particular Lenten theme.
And alongside this there is an encourage to spend more time with Scripture. You may recall that in my sermon in January we thought about the Methodist Way of Life commitment to ‘learn more about our faith’. Lent is a perfect op-portunity to do just that.
Maybe you’ve always done the same thing in Lent, perhaps as we are in this period of transition out of COVID, this might be the perfect opportunity to try something new or different.
Victoria Methodist Church are holding a Lent knitalong combined with daily devotions and more information can be obtained from Lyn Lloyd-Jones ([email protected]).
Revd Richard Sharples is hosting an online Lent Bible Study looking at Luke’s Gospel which begins on Tuesdays beginning 1st March, more information from Richard ([email protected]). Revd Patrick Stonehewer is also offering a Wednesday evening session ([email protected]).
So, my encourage is to just do something this Lent. It might be that you feel the need to give something up and that’s fine. Or that you feel called to try something new, then do that.
Whatever you decide, find space this Lent to journey with God, to pray daily, to worship with others regularly and to look and listen for God in Scripture, and the world.
Leigh
SALEM NEWS | March 2022
Comfort & Joy 2021
When Together4Fromeside launched the Comfort & Joy appeal in Advent
2020, we had no idea that we would be doing it all again for Advent 2021.
But 2020 started something: our eyes were opened to new needs, our hearts
stirred to new levels of response and our money sown into so very many
households across our community. And 2021 confirmed some things: as we
saw as new partnerships develop, the breadth and the depth of the situation
was grasped more fully; and as need after need after need was made known,
our calling to a continued response was made clear.
The launch of ‘Comfort Joy 2021’ happily coincided with the Covenant Service
of Together4Fromeside, and was celebrated as one example of what our
wider Church working has accomplished. The appeal saw £6770 donated to
the Together4Fromeside Mutual Aid Group, from members of our Churches
and from across the wider community. It is our intention that in the year
ahead this money will be spent responding to requests from our current
partners in local education, health and housing. Our focus will remain
emergency food and fuel provision, and assisting with flooring costs for new
tenants in need. The fund has also been used to pay for other needs –
clothing, bedding, baby packs, school trips and so on – and we will continue
to respond sensitively to such requests.
Another goal for this year is to see the Mutual Aid Group achieve charity
status, whilst continuing to be a key part of Together4Fromeside. This will
enable us to steward our funds better, apply for other grants, and improve
our working with other organisations.
So, a massive thank you to all who contributed. Your money has done so
much more that pay for some groceries or top up a meter – your money has
opened doors for people who are struggling and enabled them to access
further support, advice, prayer, skills and, for many, a doorway to the wider
church community and the good news of Jesus.
Kate Kernaghan On Behalf of the Together4Fromeside Mutual Aid Group
Car Rota
Can you provide transport to church for Joyce on a Sunday morning?
There is a list in the church for any one to sign who can help
Flower Rota
There are still some spaces on the Flower Rota.
This is to provide flowers for the communion table.
Many thanks to those who help in this way
Reminder We URGENTLY need a Safeguarding Officer. Can you help????
It is hoped to start a Lent Course,
based on the Prayers of Jesus.
This will be at 47 Star Barn Road
The exact dates and times have yet
to be decided , but will start in the
week beginning March 7th
SPRING An acrostic poem (Taking each letter of the title word to start the next line of the verse)
S pring has arrived with armfuls of blossom, P etals of every colour and hue, R ain and sun caressing the earth I nspiring spring bulbs to come into view N ow is the time of new beginnings G iving us pleasure all season through.
God made man to be somebody
– not just to have things.
Anon
The self-sufficient do not pray,
the self-satisfied will not pray,
the self-righteous cannot pray.
L Ravenhill
Lent Knitalong
Knitters at Victoria Methodist Church (Bristol) are holding their third Lent knitalong this year and would warmly welcome knitters from all over the country (and beyond!) to join them.
The knitalong will take the format of weekly emails throughout Lent, consisting of a set of daily knitting instructions (or 'clues') and specially written meditations for each day.
By the end of the knitalong, each knitter will have completed a cushion cover (those participating may like to buy a cushion pad in advance so it can be sewn up/finished on Easter morning - full details of dimensions etc. will be available on the information sheet later in February). The design of the cushion cover is a surprise but will only use simple knit and purl stitches, so should be achievable by knitters of all abilities.
Alongside each knitting clue will be a daily meditation which knitters may wish to use as they knit and enjoy some quiet, reflective time as they journey through Lent.
The meditations have been written by a team of seven Ministers, preachers and worship leaders from the Bristol area and beyond.
An information sheet, containing details of yarn/needles needed, re-lease dates, and a practice swatch pattern to check gauge (for those worried about these things!) will be sent out on Monday 14th February.
For further details, or to sign up for the emails, contact Lyn Lloyd-Jones at [email protected]
Annual Church Meeting
Sunday March 20th at 3 p.m.
This meeting is for YOU
Please come along. It is where we look at the life of the church.
As we come out of the pandemic it is important
that we look at how we move forward
After the business side of the meeting there will be communion
followed by tea.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Tuesday March 2nd
10 a.m. Monthly Coffee Morning in the hall
11.30a.m. Ash Wednesday Service in the church
You are invited to share in one or both of these events
For those unable to come on a morning
there will be a cluster service at Speedwell at 7 p.m.
LENT LUNCH
This will be on Friday March 18th at 12 noon
It will be a simple meal with donations going to Christian aid.
To help with catering, please sign the list in the church
Women’s Fellowship Tuesday March 15th at 2.30p.m.
A DVD will be shown
All ladies are invited to come along and share fellowship together
March Prayer Diary
7th
Church The vestry - stewards
Offices of the church Treasurer & admin
Church membership F
Church connections Churches Together for Fromeside
World wide church Morocco
14th
Church
Kitchen - all who provide & serve drinks and
refreshments after services
Offices of the church Worship leaders
Church membership G
Church connections
Leigh's other churches: Yate, Shortwood Hawkesbury
Upton
World wide church Mali
21st
Church
Hall & rooms - the various meetings & groups who use
them
Offices of the church Preachers
Church membership H & I
Church connections North East cluster:
World wide church Qatar
28th
Church Pulpit - preachers & ministers
Offices of the church Minister
Church membership J & K
Church connections Bristol & South Glos Methodist Circuit
World wide church Colombia
Preachers for March 2022 Flowers
6th Revd. L. Maydew (HC) Mrs L. Lewis
13th Revd. N. Headley Mr B. Gibs
20th Mr C. Leese Miss E. Rogers
27th Mrs H. Gray Mrs J. Tovey
Minister
Revd. Leigh Maydew
Tel : 07388 083488
Email [email protected]
World Day of prayer is a
women led, global and
ecumenical movement
Our local service will be
held on Friday March 4th
at 7.30p.m.
at St Saviours,
Coalpit Heath
It is a service prepared by the
women of England, Wales and
Northern Ireland
Although the service is
prepared and led
by women ,
it is open to everyone.