Notices for Sunday 10 March

MOTHERING SUNDAY

Readings

Exodus 2.1–10; Colossians 3.12–17; John 19.25b–27

Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer and is live-streamed at 9am each morning (Mon-Thu) from www.stpetersleck.org or www.facebook.com/southcheltenham

You can also join in person as follows:

• Mon – Pip & Jim’s,
• Tue – St. Christopher’s
• Wed – Emmanuel
• Thu – St. Peter’s Cottages

Daily Prayer App

If you have a mobile, then you may wish to download the Daily Prayer app (available from Daily Prayer), which will have the services and readings for the day.

Live Streams

* You can still connect with a weekly 8am or 10am live-stream service during the reordering.

Alternatively, you can connect with the Gloucester Cathedral live-stream from here:

https://gloucestercathedral.org.uk/worship-and-community/services/sunday-eucharist

CALENDAR of events

Click here to see upcoming events

REST IN PEACE

Please let Revd Gary know if there is anyone who has died recently so that prayers can be offered for them and their family.

PARISH GIVING

The parish giving scheme provides St. Peter’s with a regular income and a means with which to plan ahead. You can join by phoning 0333 002 1260. If you would like more information please take a look at www.parishgiving.org or email Peter Marlow peter.marlow@softcopy.co.uk. You can also support St. Peter’s by making an online donation at: https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/7930.

Prayer Requests

Please email these to the Parish Office or to Revd Gary.

ISRAEL-PALESTINE

Please continue to pray for peace and an end to violence in Gaza and the Holy Land.

UKRAINE

Please continue to pray for peace and keep all those affected by the war in Ukraine in your prayers.

Prayers for these areas of concern and others can be found on the prayer page on the website.

MIDDLE EAST

Please also pray for a cessation of tensions and violence in the Middle East.

RE-ORDERING OF THE CHURCH BUILDING

The final phase of re-ordering will take place between 8-Jan and 15-Mar, during which time the church will be closed. Please see info sheet with details of services during that time.

PARISH OFFICE OPEN

The Parish Office will be open on Thurs 14^th March 9.30 am-1.30 pm if you need to visit in person.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES

There will be a special performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion at 6pm on Passion Sunday (17^th March) to celebrate our return to St. Peter’s. See posters outside church and on website.

LENT IDEAS

Are you giving up/taking up something new for Lent? A list of ideas and resources for use during Lent can be accessed from the Homepage of St Peter’s website or via https://stpetersleck.org/lent-resources/

JUNIOR CHURCH

Please see the Junior Church webpages for information and online activities: https://stpetersleck.org/mesmerize/groups-at-st-peters/junior-church/

LITTLE PEBBLES

Little Pebbles takes place from 10-11.30am in the Cottages. Take a look at the Little Pebbles Facebook page for a taste of what goes on!

SOUTH CHELTENHAM YOUTH

For 11-19 year olds! Abbie Marsh, the team Youth Worker, can be contacted on 07708 540732 or via email at: abbie@cnc.church. The socials are:

@southcheltyouth

http://facebook.com/southcheltyouth

The programme for the spring can be found here:  https://southcheltenham.wordpress.com/youth/

** CHURCH CLEANING **

Saturday 9^th March, 9.30am

Your help is needed to clean the church ahead of it reopening on Sun 17^th March. Lots of help is needed, so please email Sally Marlow at sally.marlow@softcopy.co.uk to let her know if you can come along.  Coffee and cake will be served! Thank you 🙂

CRAFT GROUP

Every Weds, 10-12 in the Cottages

All are welcome to join, even if just for a ‘cuppa’ and a chat. Please contact Helen Shill for details on 07580 637767.

PASTORAL CARE @ ST PETER’S

To find out more about the work of our ‘Pastoral team’, click here. If you, or someone else, is in need of any help or support.  You can also speak to the clergy team or a churchwarden on any Sunday!

Need a lift to Church? Please let one of the Churchwardens or a member of clergy know.

SKITTLES EVENING

Wed 20^th Mar, 6.45pm, Somerset Arms The Men’s and Ladies’ groups are meeting to play skittles. All welcome. For further details or to book a place (and buffet) contact John Laurence via the Parish Office.

ECO CHURCH NOTICES

See the latest green and eco tips on our Eco Church webpage.

Churchyard Maintenance

If you can spare an hour or two every so often, to help with grass cutting and other jobs around the churchyard, then please let Brad know via the Parish Office.

Lent Challenges

Ideas for Eco Lent Challenges can be found at https://stpetersleck.org/eco-church/#lent_ideas

Prayer

Today, whatever your job, consider that first calling, to look after the world, its animals and the next generation of humans. How are you fulfilling that calling? 

Lord, help us to do small things that produce big change. Where possible, enable us to share resources fairly, campaign for better ecology and animal welfare, nurture young people and leave the world a better place. Amen. 

Fri 8^th March, 7.30pm at Bethesda Methodist Church

Riding Lights Theatre Company are pleased to announce a revival of their acclaimed passion play The Narrow Road by Paul Birch, for the season of Lent and Holy Week 2024. See more about the play at https://ridinglights.org/thenarrowroad/
See poster and booking link at https://stpetersleck.org/noticeboard/#ridinglights

CREATIVE COFFEE

Starts Mon 18^th March, 1-2.30pm at Como Blend, Old Station Drive, GL53 0DL.

“Nurture your creative side with a chance to natter”

Contact Sarah at theartycraftybunch@gmail.com or see full details on poster in the Cottages and on the website Noticeboard.

KNITTED EASTER CROSSES

The closing date for drop-off or collection of knitted Easter Crosses is 15^th March. Any queries, please contact Gill Ford at info@cabic.co.uk.  

CCP FOOD COLLECTIONS

Over the past few years there has been a special Lent appeal for CCP where during the run up to Easter, instead of giving something up for Lent, an item of food is donated to CCP for each day. With St Peter’s being closed for much of this period this might prove to be a challenge this year. However, donations can be left at the cottages, and I will collect them on a regular basis. Please check the weekly newsletter to see when they are likely to be open. I am more than happy to collect from your home if this is preferable, just drop me an email. Alternatively please save your items up until the church reopens nearer to Easter. Many thanks. Gilly Whittingham

Please contact Gilly via email: gilly_whittingham@btinternet.com if you would like to arrange a home collection.

If you prefer, you can also donate directly here.

SHAKESPEARE & RELIGION

Meetings to discuss two plays by Shakespeare through the lens of religion:

• 14 Mar:  The Tempest – FORGIVENESS

Taking place at Pip & Jim’s, 10am-12pm

See poster in the Cottages or on website Noticeboard for details.

AN INTRODUCTION TO QIGONG

Saturdays: 9-10am, from 9-Mar to 13-Apr, in the Cottages Garden.

A gentle mindful stretching practice. Come as you are, in comfortable clothing, flat shoes.

£55 for 6 sessions (or £10 per session)

Contact Jo at jo@jojoy.co.uk or phone 07577 547755 to reserve a place.

PARISH MAGAZINE

The March magazine is now available. If you usually pick up your copy from Church, those copies are available in the Cottages lobby. Many thanks to David Webber for editing.

MIDWEEK HOLY COMMUNION

The next midweek Holy Communion will be at 10.30am on Wed 13^th March at St Stephen’s with Rev Gary.

** EASTER CARDS **

…Ready For Delivery!

St Peter’s Easter Cards are now bundled and ready for delivery. Please come and collect your bundle(s) from the Cottages (see calendar for likely opening times).

It would be great if these could be delivered before we reopen on the 17^th March.

There are a number of bundles with no assigned deliverer – see the list here. We would be most grateful for any help with these roads.

SOUTH CHELTENHAM TEAM NEWS

REVEREND JADE SCHOLES

Rev Jade Scholes was licensed to the South Cheltenham Team as an Associate Priest by Bishop Robert in the Lady Chapel at Gloucester Cathedral on Tues 27^th Feb. She will read her licence at St. Peter’s on Sun 17^th March.

ROB ATKIN – NEW CURATE

We are pleased to announce that Robert Atkin will start his curacy at CNC Emmanuel in July. He is due to be ordained in Gloucester Cathedral on Sun 30^th June. Please continue to pray for Rob, and for Becky and Lottie, as he completes his studies – particularly for the dissertation.

TAZ JENKINS – CURACY

Taz will be ordained as deacon on Sunday 30^th June 2024 at Gloucester Cathedral and will thereafter serve her curacy at St Michael’s, Cheltenham with Revd James White.

Taz has asked supporters to give her a small white or cream button which she will stitch onto her ordination stole (a gift from her late mother) in the shape of a dove, to represent her church family. Last day for buttons will be Easter Sunday so that she can get sewing!

Please hold her in your prayers as she prepares for ordination.