Paschal meal

Wednesday 24th March at 7.00pm in St Peter’s Hall
This is a celebration of the Jewish Passover in the lead up to Easter.
Please sign up on the list on the notice board if you would like to come.  A plate of nibbles to share would be welcome.

Promise to Vote!
Premier Christian Radio is making an appeal to all Christians in the UK to promise to vote in the forthcoming General Election. The Archbishop of Canterbury has said that many government initiatives about faith assume that “it‘s practised by oddities, foreigners and minorities.  The effect is to intensify the perception that faith is not part of our bloodstream.”
 
The fact is that the Church - all those who hold the Christian faith in the UK - is larger than all the political parties put together.  We can let MPs know that we are people of great conviction who are committed to expressing those convictions at the ballot box.  You can take the first step in this by completing a ‘Promise to Vote’ and giving it to Carol Gilliland or the Church Office.  These will be sent off to join thousands of others to be delivered to Parliament. 
 
For more details see the letter at the cross aisles or speak to Carol.

Preventing People Losses
Reaching the Prodigals...
is the title of an ’Everyone Counts’ course of 4 modules being offered by The Salvation Army. It is open to all and aims to teach listening and caring skills valuable in many situations.  Each module builds on the previous one, so module 1 has to be done before module 2 and so on.  Module 1 is a one day course taking place on Saturday 27th February.  It will be presented by Captains Gary and Karen Robb, with lecture, discussion and practical activities.  Bring your own lunch, though drinks are provided.  The cost is £20 for the module (including all materials).  More details and application forms from the Church Office.

More events…
See the notice boards at the cross aisles and in the porch for details of a Churches Together in Suffolk event about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller experiences of belonging, and the next Suffolk Theology Forum, both in early March.

‘Live the life’
29th-31st May 2010
This is the name for this year’s ‘Alive Festival’ in Woodbridge, with three days of experiencing God through contemporary worship, relevant Bible teaching, practical seminars and youth and children’s streams.  For more information and booking details: www.alivefestival.org or ask in the Church Office for a paper copy of the form.

‘Home Alone’ on Christmas Day

There are now some photographs on the notice board near the coffee area if anyone is interested to see what happens at our Christmas Day Meal.
We need 2 people to fill the roles of Chef and Assistant Chef for this year’s Christmas Day Meal, one of whom will need a Food Hygiene Certificate and have experience of catering for 50 plus people. These roles include food shopping, preparing and cooking the meal. If you feel able to take this on, or if you know someone who can, please speak to  Pat Wells or Maggie Moore to find out more details.

Cleaning in Church
There are still vacancies on the cleaning rota in the teams who clean on the first, second and fifth weeks.  Please consider whether you may have time to fill one of these empty places.  If you can help, please speak to Brenda Frost.

Lending Library
We have lots of encouraging books to read, from books to help you with your Christian life, family life, suffering, bereavement, to amazing books about God working in
people’s lives all over the world.  Take time to browse and borrow one.
 

Rota update

Rod Lucas has now taken over a number of Welcome Team responsibilities previously undertaken by Ted Allnutt. Rod is now responsible for rotas of the Welcome Team, Bible Readers and those who assist at the Eucharist. All rotas are now displayed on the notice board and distributed in the pigeonholes by the refreshment area. If any of you feel that you could assist our Sunday worship, particularly the 9am service,  on any of these teams then please contact Rod in church or home 01787 247354 or rod.lucas@tiscali.co.uk

Church calendar

Please can all groups let the church office have their proposed meeting dates for 2010 as soon as possible.

A passion for life…

Friday 12th March at Stowmarket URC
7:30pm - a free event, open to all
A chance to see Saltmine Theatre Company as they deliver a series of humorous and thought-provoking sketches, and Stephen Gaukroger as he talks about God, the universe and everything...OK perhaps not everything!

There are also other events planned in Ipswich.  See posters at cross aisles for more details.
For more info: www.networkipswich.co.uk

Lions’ Club offer

Thompson and Morgan have developed a new, scented begonia called ‘Sweet Charity’, which is available only through the Lions’ Club at a cost of £10 for 5 tubers.  If you’d like to be the first to grow this new flower, and do a bit for charity, please contact Lions’ Secretary Andy Friend, at August House, Church Road, Bacton, Stowmarket IP14 4LN.  Tel: 781002.
See poster in porch for more details and pictures.
 

Be aware
We seem to be getting more and more bags through the door each week asking for clothes. Be aware that some of these are NOT collecting clothes for charities, but are companies selling the clothes for their own profit.  It’s worth taking a few moments to read the small print before you decide whether to give or not. 

Flower Rota & Cleaning Rota

The Flower Rota and Cleaning Rota for 2010 are now ready, so if you are involved in either of these areas please collect them from the pigeonholes in the coffee area.

Stamps
Don’t forget to save your stamps and hand them into the Church Office.

Car lifts to Church services

Quite a number of our much valued Church members, particularly those who attend the 9:00am service, have begun to find it difficult to attend Church regularly because they are not as “sprightly” as they were. Members of the Church already give lifts to others, and this is very much appreciated, but it would be helpful if anyone else is prepared to offer lifts on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

We are conscious that some familiar faces are often missing and it may simply be that they are finding it difficult to attend regularly.

Please let Roy Pettitt or the Church Office, know if you can provide a lift for someone.        Roy Pettitt, Church Warden

Stewardship
Geoff Marchant has now taken over a number of Stewardship responsibilities previously undertaken by Ted Allnutt. Geoff is responsible for administering the envelope giving scheme, maintaining Gift-Aid forms, and applying to HMRC for reclaim of tax paid. For those who give to the work of the church through the envelope scheme, your envelopes for 2010 are now available and will be available at the Sunday services or directly from Geoff.

Nobody’s Child
The last few copies of Carl Melville’s CD, featuring the orphans of Shearly Cripps Children’s Home in Zimbabwe, are still available from the Church Office, price £10 each. 

All profits from the CD will go to the children who made it.

 Alpha
We are planning a study group using some of the Alpha materials. If you are interested in exploring the basics of the Christian faith for the first time or as a refresher please let Michael know.

Diary dates

Wednesday 24th February
Mothers’ Union Communion at 2.30pm in St Peter’s Hall

Saturday 27th February
Day of Prayer for Healing 10am to 4pm in Church

Friday 12th March
Saltmine Theatre Company and Stephen Gaukroger
7:30pm at the URC