Dear Friends
Mothering Sunday meets Lazarus
Last Sunday we brought together the unlikely partnership of Mothering Sunday and the wonderful story of the raising of Lazarus. Our huge thanks to those who prepared the flowers which it was our privilege to give away. And my thanks, too, to our GLOW (children’s) group for the above photo of a model arising from their own reflection on the story of Lazarus.
Jesus among enemies
As we continue our Sunday sermons using Lent and Easter for everyone: from wilderness to glory by Tom Wright as our framework, our theme this week is Jesus among enemies. Our focus will be Mark 2:23-3:6 – provocative and challenging accounts of how Jesus challenged prevailing religious norms in order to do good.
The body is not made up of one part but of many
Our Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) will take place at 11.45am on Sunday 26 April after a (slightly) shortened service of Holy Communion with refreshments afterwards. This is a new time for our APCM which we hope will make it easier for many to attend. We’ll aim for the meeting to finish by 1.00pm. Please consider how God is calling you to use your gifts over the coming year. Could you be a member of the Deanery Synod, for instance, which also entitles you to a seat on the Parochial Church Council (PCC)? Would you consider being on the PCC for the next three years or, at the very least, giving it a go? Would you be willing to be one of our two new Assistant Churchwardens? If yes, one of our current wardens, Amanda Rowland, or I would love to hear from you. Further information about each of these roles can be found here.
With thanks for Phyllis Collins
The family of Phyllis Collins has let us know that she died on Tuesday. They write, “I believe you may well remember Phyllis from her many years’ involvement at the Church in both the choir and flower arranging, amongst other things, over the years.” I remember Phyllis well as a great encourager, very committed to the choir, and good to chat with. Our family also remembers taking Alfie, her dog, for a walk on one occasion! Phyllis’ funeral will take place at St Nicolas in the next few weeks.
A reminder of the visit of Joanna Forbes L’Estrange
Don’t forget that we are blessed that Joanna Forbes L’Estrange, vocalist, composer and conductor, will be with us this coming Sunday at 9.30am. She’ll be introducing us to a new liturgical setting for Holy Communion which she has written and which we’ll be starting to use at some services. Even if you cannot be in church by 9.30am, do come along as soon as you can.
Final update on the funeral of the late Rt Revd Andrew Watson
If you are unable to join the livestream of the funeral of +Andrew’s funeral, a recording of it will be available on the Guildford cathedral YouTube site. If you would like to attend, we have one ticket (no cost, of course) available; please contact nick.garrett@stnicolasbookham.org.uk. For further information on the service, the FAQ Document (click here) has a lot of information. My favourite question: Will the Archbishop of Canterbury attend? Talking of which, please do pray for Archbishop Sarah Mullally as she is installed in Canterbury Cathedral next Wednesday - the eve of her birthday!
Keeping up to date
Please take time to read our weekly notice sheet which is available both online (click here) and in church. Excerpts from our 10 o’clock service, including the fourth in our current sermon series, are available here. As Easter fast approaches, look out for details of our services. Please remember that the Thursday (Maundy Thursday) service of Holy Communion will be in the evening at 8.00pm, not the usual morning service at 10.00am.
And finally…
The Apostle Paul frequently reminds us that we all have a part to play. “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. And so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)
Grace and peace,
Alan
Alan Jenkins
Rector
