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St Mary’s News – The Spring Cleaning Edition

St Mary’s News – Spiritual Spring Cleaning

Daffodils

This month’s news starts with Revd Heathers Message on Spring Cleaning.  Following this you can find out about events including:

… the usual listings of services and contacts.

 Message from Rev Heather Wilcox

Time for a spring clean?

As the days are drawing out, and there is a sense that spring in the air, it seems to awaken the need to do a bit of a spring clean, even in the Rectory. Don’t get me wrong, I am not particularly house proud, and any cleaning would be a bonus most of the time, but in the spring, I seem to suddenly find myself wanting to organise even the most disorganised cupboards. 

Progress made

And so, so far this year, I have finally sorted out a spice rack. I now have my spices neatly arranged. Over the next few days, I will be getting myself the long-promised bookshelf. This will help organize my recipe books in the kitchen. It will also free up some space in the cupboard where they were shoved when we moved in just over three years ago.  Who knows where this might lead, and how many other hidden spots in the house, will succumb to a bit of a spring clean?

And…

Meanwhile of course, the garden is also calling for attention, there is plenty of spring cleaning to be done outside, leaves to be cleared, paths to be jet washed, garden furniture to be spruced up all to be ready for the warmer, sunnier days to come.

Lent as a Spiritual Spring Clean

Spring Cleaning

In the Christian calendar, we begin our Lenten spiritual spring clean this year on the 5th March with our Ash Wednesday services. In this season, fasting, prayer, and giving are traditionally at its heart; it offers us space to clean our souls. We can remove the clutter that sometimes creeps in and make room for God. As we journey, we come ever closer to the foot of the cross on Good Friday, after that comes the joy of the resurrection, which we will celebrate this year on 20th April.

Pay Attention to our Souls

And so, as we begin or continue our spring cleans this year, we rake up the last of the mulching leaves which allows light and life to return to our gardens. We reorder our cupboards and tidy up our shelves. In this season of Lent, may we also pay attention to our souls. Let us allow the light and life of Christ into our hearts and into our lives.

May God bless you.
Reverend Heather Wilcox

Events

Pancakes

Pancake Party at the Rectory—Tuesday 4 March @ 7.30-9pm

Pop along to the Rectory at 1 Church Close for our annual Pancake Party. There will be plenty of pancakes and toppings. Suggested donation of £3 which will go towards the Utugi Children’s Home in Kenya who are raising money for  a new school bus . All are very welcome. 

Soup Lunch & World Day of Prayer Service—Friday 7 March—From 1pm

World Day of Prayer

Join us for this Ecumenical service, this year prepared by the Christian women of the Cook Islands. There will be a soup lunch at 1pm and the service will follow at 2pm. All are welcome to both.

To help with numbers for catering, it would be good if you could let Liz or Heather know if you are coming for the lunch. Contact details below.

Lent Lunches—Tuesdays in Mar/Apr

Utugi Children's Home in Kenyan Kirinyaga Diocese

The Lent soup lunches are returning again this year, with the money raised going to fund a new school bus for the Utugi Children’s Home in Kenya. Dates and venues are as follows, all at 12 noon-1.15pm:

  • Tuesday 11 March—St John’s, Great Horkesley
  • Tuesday 18 March—St Andrew’s, Wormingford
  • Tuesday 25 March—St Peter’s, Boxted
  • Tuesday 1 April—St John the Baptist, Mount Bures
  • Tuesday 8 April—St Mary’s, West Bergholt

Mothering Sunday All Age Service—30 March @ 9.30am

Join us for an informal, all-age Mothering Sunday Service featuring the Heathlands School Choir. There will be a Bible story, fun activities, and refreshments after the service. All are welcome!

Donating to our Easter Flower Display in Memory of a Loved One

This Easter there will be an opportunity to donate to our Easter flower display by purchasing a lily in memory of a loved one. For each donation (suggested £3 per lily) we will add a specially sourced flower to our displays.

Please drop all monetary donations into the church office by Friday 11 April (office hours below) with the name of the loved one being remembered. The flower displays will remain for 1-2 weeks after Easter to give people plenty of opportunity to see them.

Sunday Services

2 March9.30amHoly Communion
5 March8pmAsh Wednesday Communion at St John’s, Great Horkesley
9 March9.30amMessy Church
16 March9.30amHoly Communion
23 March9.30amCafé Church
30 March9.30amMothering Sunday All Age Service

Our Team at St Mary’s