Dear Friends

Spring is most definitely in the air, and with the daffodils and crocuses out, we are reminded of nature springing back to life. This fits in well with the message of Easter which we celebrate this month, that after death comes resurrection. The easing of the national lockdown restrictions and the decision to reopen St.Mary’s for public worship gives that theme an added poignancy this year (see details elsewhere in the magazine of how to register for our main services using Eventbrite). As I write this, I am also very hopeful that our broadband will eventually have been installed in our church building and we can share our services online for those who do not feel comfortable attending worship yet.

As well as reopening for worship, the Easter weekend has also been earmarked by the PCC as a Prayer and Gift weekend. For those readers of the magazine who are on the church electoral roll and/or Church Suite (our church database), you will by now (I hope) have received details about this. To explain this briefly, St.Mary’s has been badly affected financially by the impact of coronavirus this past year. Our building has been closed for worship for 6 months and this has not only affected our cash income via the collection plate, but also our non- gift aid envelopes and standing orders, as well as fee income from weddings and funerals. Last year, we received £20,000 less income than normal, and whilst this was offset by the receipt of a generous legacy, we expect a further £10,000 drop in income this year. The PCC are therefore asking people to firstly pray about our financial situation. The church will be open for prayer on Maundy Thursday between 7.00-10.00 pm, on Good Friday and Easter Eve between 10.00 am – 12 noon, and on Easter Sunday between 8.00 am – 12 noon. If you can’t make it to church in person, please do pray at one of these times at home. Secondly, we are asking people to give generously what they can to help us. Maybe, like me, you have saved money this past year by not being able to go away on holiday as planned, to go to the cinema or theatre, or out for meals? Could you give some of what you may have saved back to the church? If you have received details about the weekend, please return your response form with your gift to church at one of the times mentioned above, or put it in the postbox outside the church, or simply post it back to us. If you haven’t received details, a copy of the appeal leaflet is enclosed with this magazine.

Finally, on 25 April at 11.15 a.m., we have our Annual Parochial Church Meeting in church. This is our yearly opportunity to reflect upon the life of St.Mary’s and to elect new wardens, assistant wardens, PCC and Deanery Synod members. If you are interested in standing, please do speak to Lynn Parish or myself. There will also be an opportunity to receive an update on the proposed extension/car park and the PCC would welcome hearing your views about this as to how we move this forward together. The church electoral roll is also now open once again though it closes on 3 April, so please do contact Jean Lawrence (our electoral roll officer) asap at jeanlawrence582@yahoo.co.uk or telephone her on 710606 if you would like her to send you an application form.

With my very best wishes to you and to your loved ones for a very Happy Easter

Take care and stay safe

Jeremy Tear

Pioneer Team Rector