Dear Friends,

Next week marks the start of our 2026 Lent Course: The Unfolding Story of Easter. Each week we are going to pull at an Easter thread, and follow it wherever it leads. Back through the Old Testament. And forwards into the New Creation.

We will meet at 7.30pm in Loxwood Church for refreshments. For a 7.45pm start. And we will be sure to be done by 9pm each week. The dates are:

11th March – Maundy Thursday – The Lamb. Christ our Passover lamb.

18th March – Good Friday – The Curtain. Separation and reconciliation with God.
25th March – Easter Sunday – The Firstfruits. The offering and the promise of more.

The course is open to absolutely anyone who wants to come. We’d love to see you there!

We meet twice this coming Sunday morning at Alfold Church. We will be in Luke 22:39-53 as Jesus prays his agonised prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. If you get the chance, please do read through beforehand.

8.30am | BCP Morning Prayer
10am | Holy Communion | with Kid’s groups and followed by coffee.

Everyone is welcome & we’d love to see you there!

With love in Christ,

Revd. James Forward

Read on Below the Line!

Parish Mag Photo Competition

As some of you will know by now, the Parish Mag will undergo a major redesign from the April edition. It will be printed professionally and will be distributed to every home in the parish, every month. I am the new editor and Filip Wach is in charge of advertising.

The new design will feature a strong photo, normally of somewhere in our beautiful villages, on every front cover. We very much hope that members of our congregation, as well as the children in the school and the community in general, will contribute.

So if you would like to send some to me I would be delighted to consider them. Photos taken on a decent mobile phone should be fine. The only rules are that they must have been taken by someone locally (but not a professional photographer) and have not appeared in print elsewhere. And they must be given free and without any copyright complications!

Please send them through to me at parish.mag.editor@alflox.org, saying where and when they were taken.

I can't wait to see how good they are!

Many thanks

Iain Taylor

Lent Course - The Unfolding Story of Easter

The story of Easter is laden with meaning beyond itself. As Jesus went to His cross, He was binding together various strands of God’s salvation plan, and bringing them to a glorious conclusion!

In this season of Lent, as we prepare to worship our risen Saviour, we’re going to come together in our Pilgrim Groups to focus in on three days of Holy Week:

11th March – Maundy Thursday – The Lamb. Christ our Passover lamb.
18th March – Good Friday – The Curtain. Separation and reconciliation with God.
25th March – Easter Sunday – The Firstfruits. The offering and the promise of more.

We will meet at 7.30pm in Loxwood Church for refreshments. For a 7.45pm start. And we will be sure to be done by 9pm each week.

Men’s Brekkie

The next Men’s Brekkie is coming up on Saturday 21st March, where we are delighted to welcome John Valentine. John will be speaking on “What might a personal journey to faith look like?” We meet at the Onslow Arms at 8.30 Saturday morning for a cooked breakfast. Sign up sheets are at the back of church or let Andy know by email. andy@alflox.org

Tora Bray’s Funeral

I am sad to announce that Tora Bray died last week at home. Revd. John Bundock had been able to visit her that day and share communion with her. Tora’s funeral is arranged for Tuesday the 24th March at 2.30pm in St John the Baptist Loxwood.

Maundy Thursday Bring and Share Meal

As is fast becoming traditional, we will gather together in Loxwood on Maundy Thursday (2nd April) at 5.30pm for a bring and share dinner. We eat together to remember the last supper, and there will be a simple communion served afterwards. Sign up sheets will be at the back of church, please sign up to bring mains, puds or drinks.

Church Weekend Away(ish)

This Summer we are going to spend a weekend away together at Loxwood’s North Hall. We will have a guest speaker, activities for young and old, a BBQ & entertainment in the evening. And most importantly of all, the chance to spend some quality time together in God’s word and with each other. For the brave there is a chance to camp on the playing field. For the formerly brave - the chance to sleep in your own bed! Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st of June. Please save the date!

‘Souper’ Saturday Open Garden

All are invited to a Souper' Saturday Open Garden event at Ewan and Rosemary’s garden in Ifold. Saturday 14th March (weather permitting) from 11.30am-3pm. To help raise funds for Little Angels toddler group. Admission is £ what you think, to include homemade soup, bread, and a drink. Parking is limited so please car share where possible. Sandalwood, The Ride, Ifold.

Little Angels

Is a group for parents and toddler to come & play, have fun, sing songs, learn about God, and make new friends. It meets every Thursday in Loxwood Church 10-11.30am. All are welcome!

Pilgrim Groups

Pilgrim Groups are a place of deeper fellowship, where we support one another in prayer, and go deeper into God's word together. If you are not already in a Pilgrim Group and would like to join one, please email Richard Allan or speak to him in church. richard@alflox.org

Prayer Central

Our 1st Wednesday of the month Prayer Meeting is coming up next on Wednesday 1st April. We will meet in Loxwood Church Room. We meet at 7.30pm for refreshments, 8pm to sing and pray, and we always finish by 9pm. There is never an obligation to pray out loud. God hears the prayer of our hearts just as well! Please do join us.

Year of Prayer

Psalm 127 says ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.’ Monday Morning | Alfold or Loxwood Church Room | 9am-Midday | Drop in Drop Out | Come and pray for God to build.