Our annual meeting by Zoom for the election of Church Wardens will take place followed by the Church Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). If you would like to see the reports please click on the link below to e mail Adele.

The accounts for the church of St Mary in Charnwood 2020

As we think about returning to the physical building - how will we build ourselves as ‘living stones’ into the ‘spiritual house’ of God?

As part of the journey of Lent there is an invitation to greater self-awareness - both of our weaknesses and strengths - but the good news is God knows us better than we know ourselves and still loves us.

Here are some pointers to direct our thoughts and prayers in support of the Neema Crafts community as requested by Ben and Katy -
• pray that we would continue to experience God's miraculous protection from the virus across Tanzania. We have now experienced some cases, but please pray that the death toll remains low.
• continue to pray that that we receive all of the orders and sales we need to pay staff.
• pray that the rains would be 'just right' this year. We are in the middle of the rainy season and they seem to be going well so far - last year we had way too much, and houses were flooded and crops and roads damaged.
• praise God for Chloe who has arrived just in time to promote the new web-shop and market our products further afield.
• praise God too for Joe who has already been put to work designing a range of lower cost furniture for hotels. We are hoping to be commissioned by a new Lutheran guesthouse that is opening up for pastors and their wives. The furniture production should also enable us to train up a new team of deaf carpenters for this sort of work which would be fantastic.
• pray that we can overcome the frustrations to our ministry that seem to have beset us so far in 2021.

Each week in Lent we will focus prayer on a particular area of our parish by walking or using maps asking God to show the needs and blessings for that area. Week beginning 21st March will be the streets along Nanpantan Road and a bit further afield.

A challenge is issued to fast from negative behaviours and replace them with positive action for good this Lent. God is always there to help focus on particular personal challenges during this time.

Ash Wednesday will be marked with communion at 7.30pm on Wednesday 17th February on Zoom. have paper and pen ready in place of 'ashing'. Click on the link for Zoom details.

A service fully suitable for families with craft and activities to engage all! Everyone welcome

Although the past year has been difficult for all of us, for some very difficult, we can remember what Jesus said: “In the world, you will have trouble, but cheer up! I have overcome the world!” A positive thought to hold onto as we prepare for the week ahead.