St Mary's Notices

This first Sunday of Lent we will be considering the theme of ‘Temptation’. There will be a children’s group during the 10am service and an update from our advocate for ‘Hope against Cancer’ at both services. We will also be joining many other churches in a prayer to mark the 1st anniversary of the war in
Ukraine. Apologies that we will be unable to livestream the service this week.

All are welcome to this traditional service of Holy Communion for Ash Wednesday with the option of receiving the sign of the cross in ashes – a symbol of penitence to mark the start of Lent.

From last month, the two previous groups called Ladies who Lunch and Table Talk, amalgamated to make one group. The new lunch group has kept the name “Table Talk.” Previously for ladies and gents who lived alone, the group now warmly invites anyone who would welcome some company whether they live alone or not. It is a lovely opportunity to meet together to share lunch and chat. The meetings take place on the last Wednesday of each month at the Toby Carvery, Forest Road at 12 noon. Please contact admin@stmaryincharnwood.org.uk if you would like any more details.

Please join us for our 10am Holy Communion service where we will welcome Rev Alison Myers, warden of Launde Abbey, who will be preaching and presiding. We hope that you will join us for our evening service from Iona at 6pm.

Our next meeting is at Emmanuel Church on the 13th of February. There will be a talk by the Emeritus Professor of Museum Development at Nottingham Trent University, about creating the exhibition currently at Charnwood Museum in Queens Park called ‘Rebuilding Lives. 50 Years of Ugandan Asians in Loughborough.’ We start with coffee from 10:15am and all men are welcome.

At 10am there will be a service of All-Age Morning Worship. This week we will be thinking about how God is Generous and Joyful. Please come prepared to talk about your favourite things in creation, maybe bring a picture if you have one. We will also have an ‘open mic’ time for people to share stories of God’s support and care through times of worry or difficulty. It would be helpful to know of one or two in advance, so please drop Adele an email if you have a story, you would be prepared to share. (The service will not be recorded to protect confidentiality). Holy Communion at 6pm. Please join us at 6pm for a traditional service of Holy Communion as we think about Jesus’ teaching to ‘Consider the lilies of the field ….’ [Matthew 6].

This week we are looking at God as the Shepherd, and us as needing to show God’s kindness. We will have
a shepherding type activity and will be showing our kindness by making bird feeders. Obviously followed
by hot chocolate and marshmallows!

The next meeting of St Mary’s Ladies Group will be held on Tuesday, 7th February at 10am in the Chapter
House. The theme of the meeting will be ‘Looking Forward’. We will continue making donations to the Food Bank and the list of current requirements includes tinned meat, tinned tuna, UHT full fat or semi skimmed milk, small bags of sugar, individual toothbrushes (adults and children) and Pot Noodles, but anything is appreciated. Hope to see you there.

Please join us for our All Age service at 10am as we explore together what Jesus said about being ‘salt and light’ in our world and share in communion. Evensong will take place at 6pm. This will be a traditional service from the Book of Common Prayer, exploring God’s desire for justice and righteousness and what this means for our everyday lives.

We’ve received the latest news from Neema Crafts, our mission partners in Tanzania along with
their requests for our prayers in support of their work. Please click on the link below to read the full update.

Please join us on Sunday for our 10am service of Morning Worship with Communion. This week we’ll be thinking about ‘foolishness’ and the good news Jesus brings. The children’s group will be going
outside for part of their session (weather permitting) so please come with outdoor clothes and shoes. Everyone is welcome to a reflective service of Evening Worship at 6pm which will include an advocate update on the work of Intercare, this month’s tithe charity.

This week we are looking at God as the Shepherd, and Us as needing to show God’s kindness. We will have a shepherding type activity and will be showing our kindness by making bird feeders. Obviously followed by hot chocolate and marshmallows.