Dear Friends
An Eco Success
The final total from the Fairtrade Coffee Morning last Saturday was £362.00 which was divided equally between St Nicolas and the Fairtrade charity Transform Trade. Our thanks to everyone who enabled this event to happen and who supported it. Meanwhile, Andy Atkins, UK CEO of A Rocha, both challenged and encouraged us as he preached on Sunday morning. It was great to hear from him. If you could not be present, or would like to hear his sermon again, click here for aspects of last Sunday’s 10 o’clock service. A few of us were privileged to gather with Andy after the service for a simple but fantastic lunch (above).
Lent has begun
We continue to encourage you to make the most of Lent and Easter for everyone: from wilderness to glory by Tom Wright which comprises a daily Bible reading and reflection. Join the Monday afternoon Lent Group or one of the several housegroups (daytime or evening) who will be working with the material during Lent. Our Sunday sermons during Lent will also reflect this material. Our theme this Sunday is Jesus in the wilderness focusing on Matthew 4:1-11.
Diocesan Lent Reflections
As they have done before, so again the Diocesan Senior Leadership Team is sharing short weekly reflections, this year from the Gospel of Luke. The first in the series is provided by Bishop Andrew; click here to view.
The Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund Lent Appeal
The Bishop of Guildford’s Communities Fund Lent Appeal launched yesterday (Ash Wednesday). The Fund provides grants to local projects run by parishes or church-linked organisations, which help people facing financial hardship and other vulnerabilities including loneliness and disability. To find out more, click here, and to give, click here.
A Day of Prayer for Bishop Andrew
I recognise the sadness that the news of Bishop Andrew’s inoperable cancer has been to many of us. In a (beautifully written) pastoral update this afternoon, not available publicly as far as I can tell, Bishop Andrew has shared the sad news that the prognosis has got worse not better. Bishop Andrew writes that his main focus now is on 'cheerfully persisting towards a good death'. Prior to this later news, the Bishop’s Leadership Team organised a Day of Prayer for Bishop Andrew in Guildford Cathedral on Monday 23 February from 12 noon to 10.00pm. To the best of my knowledge, this is still scheduled to take place and I am planning to be there for some of the time. All are welcome and encouraged to join at any stage during the day for as long as you can stay. There will be opportunity for silent prayer, to pray with others, or to light a candle. Teams from each deanery will be present throughout the day to welcome people and to pray with them. At 5.30pm, there will be the usual Choral Evensong, at which there will be prayer in particular for Bishop Andrew.
A reminder from Lucy
Lucy Hicks, who leads the Bookham Youth Project, has rightly asked me to remind all of us of our safeguarding responsibilities. She writes, “I just wanted to ask if it could be communicated to the church that we can’t have adults coming in the Pastoral Centre while BYouth is running ... Our safeguarding policy states that we can’t have any adults other than the designated LYP staff in the building while a project is running … In addition, it means that my attention is taken away from the young people to make sure I am with the adult at all times. The policy is meant to protect adults as well as our young people from any potential allegations … I’m more than happy to chat to people - they can pop in between 3:30 and 4pm, or you can share my email around so that people can get hold of me easily.” Lucy’s email is: lucy@leatherheadyouthproject.com.
Keeping up to date
Please take time to read our weekly notice sheet which is available both online (click here) and in church. Please note that a thanksgiving service for Pauline Waton will take place in the church at 2.30pm on Wednesday 11 March 2026.
And finally…
As we mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine next week, a prayer…
Holy and Gracious God
We pray for the people of the Ukraine and the people of Russia; for their countries and their leaders.
We pray for all those who are afraid; that your everlasting arms hold them in this time of great fear.
We pray for all those who have the power over life and death; that they will choose for all people life, and life in all its fullness.
We pray for those who choose war; that they will remember that you direct your people to turn our swords into ploughshares and seek for peace.
We pray for leaders on the world stage; that they are inspired by the wisdom and courage of Christ.
Above all, Lord, today we pray for peace for Ukraine.
And we ask this in the name of your blessed Son.
Lord have mercy.
Amen.
Grace and peace,
Alan
Alan Jenkins
Rector
