St Mary's Newsletter

St. Mary's Newsletter 1st March
Blog readers, In 2007, as part of an Eleven service, we looked at the modern day slave trade and the use of child slaves in African cocoa farming, which the big chocloate makers are still profiting from. We're also half way through Fair Trade Fortnight, so we've been shopping around to find the best deal on Fair Trade Easter Eggs (Fair Trade chocolate is slave free) and we think we've found a good one - Divine's Dubble Chocolate Easter Egg with Bar for £2.50. If you would like to buy one or more, contact Alice before Thursday and we will place a bulk order before the free delivery offer expires. Our local Co-Op has the more expensive Divine Easter Eggs as well as a good range of Fair Trade produce.
Lent 2009 "Living Prayer" In 2009 we are offering a variety ways to enrich your spiritual life during Lent. They are linked by the common theme of prayer. A Book for Lent 'How to Pray' by John Pritchard Lent Book Reflections - meet with others to discuss 'How to Pray' A Course for Lent 'How Jesus taught us to pray' - a small group course based on The Lord's Prayer A Prayer Resource in the Churches 'Prepare for Easter' - a booklet of daily prayer Intercessions in Church - A workshop You can download details here.	For Your Diary Tuesday 3rd March 10.15am A course for Lent 'How Jesus taught us to pray' at 14 Court Meadow, Stone Wednesday 4th March 12.30pm Lent Lunch Wednesday 4th March 7.30pm Bell Ringing Practice Wednesday 4th March 8.00pm A course for Lent 'How Jesus taught us to pray' at The Vicarage Friday 6th March 10am-2pm Antiques Valuation Day at St Mary's, Berkeley Friday 10.00am Little Fishes Music Group at the Union Church Friday 6th March Women's World Day of Prayer 10.30am Service at the Union Church Friday 7.00pm Choir Practice Thursday 12th March 7.30pm Lent Book Reflections – 'How to Pray' at The Vicarage Saturday 14th March 10.30-12.30 Mothers' Union coffee morning in Hill Village Hall Saturday 28th March A workshop - Intercessions in Church Sunday 26th April APCM at St Mary's, Berkeley
Women's World Day of Prayer A service prepared by Christian Women of Papua New Guinea will be held at the Union Church on Friday 6th March at 10-30am – all are welcome –crèche provided. Speaker - Nicola McCarthy Roman Catholic Chaplain of Eastwood Park Women's Prison.
Hill Cream Teas – New Season First Sunday of the month 2.30-5.30pm at The Village Hall Starting Sunday 5th April
Soup Lunches at St. Mary's During Lent Wednesdays March 4th to April 1st Join us between 12.30pm to 1.30pm for a lunch of delicious soups and wholesome bread. There is no charge but donations made will be given to a Gloucestershire charity.
Children's Society Table Top Sale at Dursley The stall at the successful St James event on 21st February made over £60, thanks to all who gave items for sale.
Journey to Jerusalem with Christian Aid During Lent 2009, we are going to blog a virtual journey through the Holy Land. With help from people who have travelled in the region - and those that live and work there - we will see the sights but also hear what it is like to work for peace in this troubled region. Along the way we will reflect on what Jesus' example can teach us about how we can make a difference in the world. http://lentpilgrimage.christianaid.org.uk/	Readings for this Sunday Genesis 9:8-17 Mark 1:9-15
Valuation Day at St Mary's, Berkeley 6th March 10am-2pm In June 2009 a Treasure Auction is to be held in aid of the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust. The trust gives grants to churches around the county when funds are needed for restoration and maintenance. The trust hopes that anybody with an unwanted heirloom or antique may be generous enough to donate it to this good cause. Donors will receive a catalogue for the sale and an invitation to the private view, proceeds of the sale will go to the GHCT. If you would just like to have an item valued then by all means bring it along and Thomas Jenner-Fust of Simon Chorley Auctioneers will be more than happy to give a verbal valuation with any small donation to the Trust being welcomed. There will be opportunity to buy light refreshments.
Vicar- Rev'd Richard Avery Phone 01453 xxxxxx E-mail averys@rjavery.co.uk Not available on Mondays except in emergency Curate- Rev'd Christine Birkett Phone 01453 xxxxxx E-mail christine.birkett@virgin.net Not available on Mondays except in emergency To have items included in next week's Pew Sheet contact Peter Yardley Phone 01454 xxxxxx or email mailto:pewsheet@stmarys-berkeley.co.ukuk If you send items to Peter Yardley for the printed Pew Sheet, they should make it into this newsletter.	More stuff on the website: www.stmarys-berkeley.co.uk

St Mary's Newsletter

St. Mary's Newsletter 22nd February
Blog reader, Are you mad? Christians are regarded as "mad" by the rest of society because they are motivated by charity and compassion rather than the reckless pursuit of money, according to the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu. Read the full article. Charities – Last Chance Thank you for your nominations for the charities you would like us to support this coming year. If you still want to add to the list, today is the last day. The list is on the table as you come into church. I'm watching you Dad! One for the Dads. (applies to Mums too).
Lent 2009 "Living Prayer" In 2009 we are offering a variety ways to enrich your spiritual life during Lent. They are linked by the common theme of prayer. Ash Wednesday (this week) Holy Communion - at St Mary's Church, Berkeley A Book for Lent 'How to Pray' by John Pritchard Lent Book Reflections - meet with others to discuss 'How to Pray' A Course for Lent 'How Jesus taught us to pray' - a small group course based on The Lord's Prayer A Prayer Resource in the Churches 'Prepare for Easter' - a booklet of daily prayer Intercessions in Church - A workshop You can download details here.	From the Calendar Sunday, 22 February 09:30 Parish Communion 11:00 Informal Communion 18:00 Evensong Tuesday, 24 February 08:30 Morning Prayer 20:00 Eleven Team Meeting Wednesday, 25 February 19:30 Ash Wednesday Holy Communion Friday, 27 February 08:30 Morning Prayer 10:00 Little Fishes (BEC) 19:00 Choir Practice Sunday, 1 March 09:30 Parish Communion 11:00 Informal Worship 18:00 Evensong Tuesday, 3 March 08:30 Morning Prayer 10:15 Lent Course (in Stone) Wednesday, 4 March 12:30 Lent Lunches 19:30 Bell Ringing Practice 20:00 Lent Course (in Berkeley) Friday, 6 March Art & Antiques Valuation Day 08:30 Morning Prayer 10:30 World Women's Day of Prayer 19:00 Choir Practice Sunday, 8 March 09:30 Choral Communion 11:00 Informal Worship 18:00 Evening Prayer
Women's World Day of Prayer A service prepared by Christian Women of Papua New Guinea will be held at the Union Church on Friday 6th March at 10-30am – all are welcome –crèche provided. Speaker - Nicola McCarthy Roman Catholic Chaplain of Eastwood Park Women's Prison.
Leaves The compost collection has gone very well with numerous people collecting the leaves from the Little Churchyard, many thanks to all those who took black bags full of leaves, and happy composting to them.
SOUP LUNCHES AT ST MARY'S DURING LENT Wednesdays starting March 4th From 12.30pm onwards join us for a lunch of delicious soups and wholesome bread. There is no charge but donations made will be given to a Gloucestershire charity
St Mary's Coffee Mornings The next Coffee Morning will be held on Tuesday 21st April at the home of Sue and John Stump – the Old Swan, 20 High Street, Berkeley. If you would like to host a Coffee Morning later in the year, please speak to a member of the Pastoral Care Team.
Lent Online - Journey to Jerusalem During Lent we want to challenge you to go beyond hearing about the people in the Holy Land and hear from them instead. Every day through Lent our virtual pilgrimage will take you on an interactive journey. Using short videos, podcasts, photo galleries, prayers and stories it will bring the Holy Land to life.	Readings for this Sunday 9.30am Holy Communion 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 Mark 2:1-12 11.00am Eleven 2 Kings 2:1-12 God at work in Elisha & Elijah 6.00pm Evensong 2 Kings 2: 1-12 2 Corinthians 4: 3-6
Valuation Day at St Mary's, Berkeley 6th March 10am-2pm In June 2009 a Treasure Auction is to be held in aid of the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust. The trust gives grants to churches around the county when funds are needed for restoration and maintenance. The trust hopes that anybody with an unwanted heirloom or antique may be generous enough to donate it to this good cause. Donors will receive a catalogue for the sale and an invitation to the private view, proceeds of the sale will go to the GHCT. If you would just like to have an item valued then by all means bring it along and Thomas Jenner-Fust of Simon Chorley Auctioneers will be more than happy to give a verbal valuation with any small donation to the Trust being welcomed. There will be opportunity to buy light refreshments.
Vicar- Rev'd Richard Avery Phone 01453 xxxxxx E-mail averys@rjavery.co.uk Not available on Mondays except in emergency Curate- Rev'd Christine Birkett Phone 01453 xxxxxx E-mail christine.birkett@virgin.net Not available on Mondays except in emergency To have items included in next week's Pew Sheet contact Peter Yardley Phone 01454 xxxxxx If you send items to Peter Yardley for the printed Pew Sheet, they should make it into this newsletter.	More stuff on the website: www.stmarys-berkeley.co.uk Between now and forever