Rector’s Update 03/03/2026
During Lent, many of us are using the Church of England resource – Life Giving Habits for Lent. If you have a copy and fallen behind, don’t worry, just pick up from today and carry on. I have discovered that the material is also available on an app that you can download to your Smartphone. It’s called Everyday Faith and is free from the App Store. It also contains a verse of a hymn to set the scene for each day. However, you are using this Lent I pray that it will be a meaningful time for you and that you would grow in your faith.
As you know we have re-advertised the post of Team Vicar (House for Duty) but once again received no applications. After a year and a half of unsuccessful advertising, the three Church Councils are discussing the next steps with the Archdeacon with the possibility of changing the post to a paid part time role. This will put more pressure on our Church finances but is unlikely to have any impact in the current year. Please pray for wisdom as we discern the next steps together. Whatever happens it does mean that we will have to continue as we are for a little longer until we are able to welcome a new colleague to the team.
As well as our usual Sunday services, there are several other important events coming up:
On Saturday 14th March, Thatcham Baptist Church are holding the monthly Flourish Women’s ministry meeting. This month the speaker is Lindsay Melluish – further details on the weekly e-Newsletter. Several women from our Benefice go to these monthly meetings which are always encouraging and inspiring - it would be great for more to attend on 14th March.
On 15th March we will be marking Mothering Sunday in all of our churches where there will be gifts of flowers available. This is a good opportunity to invite others to come to Church with you
On Thursday 19th March at 7.30pm, our own Bishop Mary will be speaking at the Filling Station meeting in Hampstead Norreys.
On Palm Sunday (29th March) evening at 6.30pm we will hold an Evening Celebration at All Saints’. The speaker is the Revd Dr Andy Angel who is the Director of Formation for Ministry for the Diocese.
Finally, a date for the autumn - we are planning another Harvest Supper and Barn Dance on Saturday 26th September.
Have a good week.
With my love
Steve