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March News from
The Church of The Good Shepherd
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I
don’t know about you, but the sunshine and warmth of the last
few days has been a very welcome break from the rain. It
finally feels like spring has sprung: the daffodils are
blooming, the blossom is thinking about emerging, and the
male starlings on the church tower are very much trying to
attract the ladies. With all of those signs of spring, our
minds start to naturally turn towards Easter. We are marching
through Lent and Mothering Sunday is around the corner. By
the time the month is out, we will be well on our way through
Holy Week.
The
emergence of new life throughout Lent is a good metaphor for
the journey that we are on. Sometimes I think we can have a
very black and white contrast between the seasons about Lent
and Easter. One is completely bleak, while the other is full
of life. And there is an element where that is true. But in
reality there is a movement and growth towards Easter. As
Lent progresses, as we engage in our spiritual disciplines
and prayers, our faith grows and deepens, and becomes more
and more orientated from the deep repentance of Ash Wednesday
to the blooming new life of the Resurrection.
I hope
that you will be able to join us during the rest of Lent.
There are lots of opportunities for your faith to still grow
through the season. And I really hope to see you during Holy
Week and Easter. A brief outline of our services is contained
in this email, and there will be a further email about our
Holy Week liturgies later in the month.
With
love and prayers,
Mthr
Alice
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There
is apparently a book called Mothering Sunday, and a film, but
neither of those have any par on our celebrations. We will
gather at our normal time of 10.15am on Sunday 15th March
for our Parish Eucharist. We’ll be handing out flowers,
sharing Simnel Cake and admitting new members of the Mother’s
Union. Please do invite family members and friends, and let’s
make it a wonderful celebration of motherhood, of caring for
children, and of family life.
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Our
Lent Course exploring the Gospel of Matthew continues on
Thursdays. We meet at 11am in church after the Eucharist, or
on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm at 49 Maldon Road. If you’ve
not been already, it’s not too late to join in!
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On
Fridays in Lent (starting from Friday 27th February) there
will be some extra services in church to help with your
Lenten devotions. 10.30am
Eucharist in the Redeemer Chapel, followed by
Stations
of the Cross at 11am. Come to one or both!
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There’s
a summary of our Holy Week below, and you can also download
our Parish Easter Card.
Palm
Sunday - 29th March
Parish
Eucharist - 10.15am
The
memorial of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, beginning in the
Church Hall.
Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday - 30th March, 31st March, 1st April
Said
Eucharist - 8pm
Maundy
Thursday - 2nd April
Mass
of the Lord’s Supper - 8pm
The
memorial of the Last Supper followed by the Watch until
Midnight.
Good
Friday - 3rd April
Easter
Craft Morning - 10am - 11.30am
A
chance for children to explore Holy Week with crafts and
activities, hot cross buns and the Easter Story.
The
Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion - 2pm
The
Commemoration of the death of Christ, with Sung Passion and
Veneration of the Cross.
Holy
Saturday - 4th April
The
Easter Vigil - 8pm
A
dramatic service with the lighting of the Easter fire, the
renewal of Baptismal vows and the first Eucharist of Easter.
Easter
Day - 5th April
Holy
Communion - 8am
Parish
Eucharist of Easter Day - 10.15am
With
activities for children and an Easter Egg Hunt.
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Our
aging organ is in need a of a bit more TLC, and will be
working at reduced service in April while a major part it is
taken away to be restored. Amar Clark will be holding an
organ recital to raise money for its restoration on Thursday 26th
March at 5.15pm. Please do
spread the word to all local friends and family to come along
and hear some wonderful music!
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Our
very own Lyn Murdoch will be celebrating her 100th birthday
on Sunday 22nd March after our Parish Eucharist. Please do
come and join us for a glass of something fizzy and some
nibbles.
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We
regularly visit three nursing homes in the parish to
celebrate a monthly Eucharist, and all are invited to join in
the worship there. The services last about half an hour, and
there’s a brief opportunity to chat with residents. They are
all at 11am.
2nd
Wednesday of the month - Oaklands Home - 39 Dyke Road Avenue
3rd
Wednesday of the month - Chatsworth Home - 63 Dyke Road
Avenue
4th
Wednesday of the month - Chartwell Home - 81 Dyke Road Avenue
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Introduction
to Christianity course and Confirmations
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Further
into 2026, we’ll be launching a new Introduction to
Christianity Course called Sycamore. Exploring what
Christians believe and why it is relevant today, we’ll be
meeting over 7 weeks for food, fellowship and exploration.
We’ll be beginning on Thursday 16th April, and more
information will be available in due course.
The
course will also mark preparation for adult Baptisms and
Confirmations, which will be on Thursday 4th June at 7.30pm
at St Andrew’s Church, Moulsecoomb. If you are of secondary
school age or older (and there’s no upper age limit!) and you
are interested in being baptised and/or confirmed, this
course will help you to prepare. Please speak to Mthr Alice
if you’re interested!
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Alongside
our confirmation preparation, we’ll also be holding a course
for any children who are interested in First Holy Communion.
Children will need to be baptised, and normally in school
Year 3 or above.
The
course begins on Sunday 19th April, and meets at 9.15am in
the Vicarage for about 45 minutes before the Parish
Eucharist. Children will be admitted to communion on Sunday
7th June.
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As
mentioned earlier, on Mothering Sunday we will be admitting
new members to the Mother’s Union. The Mother’s Union was
founded in 1876 by Mary Sumner to support young mothers and
family life. Today they are a worldwide organisation working
to end injustice, especially for women and girls, gender
based violence and poverty. If you’d like to find out more
about what they do, and want to consider joining, do have a
chat with the members on Mothering Sunday, or drop us an
email.
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Family Camp is a great chance for families to
come together with other Christians to explore faith. There’s
camping, campfires, craft activities, games, food and worship
and lots of fun. It runs from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st June
at Stedham Campsite, Midhurst. There’s an early bird offer
until Easter - each ticket costs £25 for all over 5s and
includes use of the campsite facilities and two evening
meals. Families will need to provide their own breakfast and
lunch, and we can help you find a tent if you need it!
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Sunday
15th March - Mothering Sunday Thursday
26th March - Organ Recital - 5.15pm
Sunday
29th March - Palm Sunday and Holy Week Begins
Tuesday
14th April - Book Group - 7.30pm
Thursday
16th April - Sycamore Course Begins
Sunday
19th April - First Communion Course begins
Saturday
6th June - Summer Fair
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