News and Events
This page maintained as a 'live' newsletter with the aim of keeping you updated with what is happening in the benefice. Please do use it to keep yourself updated with what is happening in and around our churches. The newest messages appear at the top.
Deadline for Next Newsletter - Tuesday 21st February - Complete this form to submit items for the next newsletter.
As Lent Approaches
During February we move into Lent - a time when we can reflect more deeply on our relationship with Jesus. Traditionally this is a period marked by different types fasting as a way of recognising Jesus’ sacrifice and bringing some discipline into our spiritual journeys. Perhaps you are already thinking of things that you might give up? There are, though, other ways to mark this season.
This year, I would like to offer a Lent Course to help us explore our faith and grow closer together as a community. I really hope a good number of you will be able to join us. It will run on Friday afternoons at 2pm starting on 24th Feb. If you are interested, please register here or let Revd Nigel know. I will then arrange the venue to fit the size of the group!
There are also some excellent devotional books which give a short Bible reading, reflection and ideas for prayer. I have some in my library that I’m happy to lend out and would be happy to suggest booklets or online resources that are easy to use.
Looking back, I can’t believe that it was during Lent 2022 that Heidi and I came on our ‘interview’ tour. On that day, some folk apologised for having flowers in their buildings. However, for me, these were a great reminder that even as we focus on Jesus’ sacrifice in the weeks ahead, we know that beyond it lies the hope and victory that Easter brings.
With gratitude and blessings, Revd Nigel Moat
Contents
Notices added Week Beginning 23rd January
Bexwell Monthly Soup Social
Join us four our Soup Socials at St. Mary's Church, Bexwell - usually on the last Thursday of the month during the winter months. We provide a free warming soup and delicious dessert. No charge! Bring a Friend! The evenings start from 6.30pm.
Thursday 23rd February
Thursday 29th March
America, here I come!
Revd Nigel Moat is taking some annual leave from Monday 13th Feb, returning on Wednesday 22nd Feb.
Revd Richard Fordham has kindly agreed to hold the fort whilst Nigel is away.
Notices added Week Beginning 16th January
Quiz Night - Southery Village Hall - 11 March 2023
Southery Church are holding a quiz night at Southery Village Hall on Saturday 11th March starting ay 7pm.
There is an entrance fee of £7 each which includes supper. Money raised will go towards church funds. Maybe we can enter a team from each of our churches!
If you want to know more details, or enter a team, please click the link below to complete the form.
Notices added Week Beginning 9th January
Coffee Morning - St Mary's Church, Denver
Our next Coffee Morning at St Mary's Church, Denver will be on Saturday February 11th from 10.30am through it 12.30am.
All are welcome - please do come along and join us!
Notices added Week Beginning 26th Decemeber
Rotary Shoeboxes - Thank You!
Many thanks to everyone from our churches, schools and the wider community who packed 117 Rotary Shoeboxes to be shipped to Ukraine. This was well beyond our expectations considering the economic climate and the financial difficulty many are facing at this unprecedented time. If you want to know more, or want to be involved next year, please contact our Rotary Shoebox coordinator.
Children's Society Money Boxes
The Children's Society money boxes have all been collected and emptied. Thank you to everyone involved - we raised over £460! Empty boxes will be available for collection from St Mary’s Church, Denver.
If anyone wants a money box for this year, please contact Children's Society coordinator. The money raised helps to support young people throughout the country and your commitment plays a key role in bringing hope, safety and happiness to the lives of thousands of this country's young people.
Lent Course
We are planning to run a lent course to be run in our churches this year. If you want to know more or want to be involved in running the course, please let Revd Nigel know.
Schools - Christmas and Easter
What a delight for us to be involved in all 4 schools in our benefice during advent. Thank you to all those who helped out or hosted the schools for their Carol and Christingle Services. We are looking to invite the schools back into the churches for Easter - if you would be willing to help out please let Revd Nigel know. These are amazing opportunities to share our faith with the children.
Notices added Week Beginning 21st November
Marriage Preparation Day
Each year we hold a Marriage Preparation Day and invite all of our wedding couples to join us for the day. This will give you all the opportunity to meet each other as you journey along this path towards your wedding.
During the day, which includes lunch and refreshments, we will talk about the big day itself and what you might expect from the service. We will also show some videos from the Care for the Family Marriage by Design course. This is a widely used resource for anyone preparing to marry - and 99% of all couples who take part say that they would recommend it to others.
Our 2023 course will be held on March 11th from 10am through to 4pm. If you would like to know more about the day, please contact our Vicar, the Rev'd Nigel Moat using this online form.
We also need some people to help with the catering and others to facilitate some of the small group discussions. If you could help to bless our wedding couples on 11th March, please contact Revd Nigel.
Discipleship Course - Spring 2023
I’m happy to say, I have been asked by a number of people if we would run a Discipleship course. I plan to start an Alpha course in the spring. This is open to everyone in and outside the Church! Alpha can be invaluable for anyone no matter where they are on the Christian journey If you would like to know more, please do contact Revd Nigel Moat. I can’t do this alone and hope a few people will be willing to help out in various ways. More details to follow but please pray about whether you could be a part of this ministry and who you could bring along.