Church Family News 15.03.26
Dear Friends,
This week it’s Mothering Sunday! A day when traditionally workers would be be given the weekend off, to go home and visit their ‘mother’ church. But now it’s a day on which we give thanks to God for our mums, grandmas, and all the women in church who love us, look after us, and point us to Jesus.
So do come along (no need to go back to the parish where you were born!) and celebrate Mother’s Day with us.
We are also going to use this Sunday at 10am to say a very fond farewell to Hugh and Linda Beadle. Hugh and Linda have been part of our church for the past 44 years, and so there will be some tears and some memories, as we wave goodbye to them, as they move up to Scotland to be nearer family.
We meet twice this coming Sunday morning in Loxwood Church. We will be in Luke 22:54-62 as we take a look at Peter’s life, and what we can learn of God’s grace from it. If you get the chance, please do read through beforehand.
8.30am | BCP Holy Communion
10am | Mother’s Day | with Kid’s groups and followed by coffee.
As part of the service we are going to sing a new song together that fits particularly well with the theme of our sermon. If you wanted to have a listen beforehand, you can do so here.
Everyone is welcome & we’d love to see you there!
With love in Christ,
Revd. James Forward
Read on Below the Line!
“Souper” Saturday Open Garden
All are invited to a Souper' Saturday Open Garden event at Ewan and Rosemary’s garden in Ifold. This Saturday 14th March 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.
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.
Bishop Andrew’s Funeral
Thank you to so many who have been keeping + Andrew’s family in your prayers over the past few weeks. His funeral is set to take place on Monday 23rd March at 12 noon in Guildford Cathedral. As you might imagine the Cathedral will be full, and a ticketing system is in place to manage attendance. However, the funeral is going to be live-streamed in churches across the Diocese. In our Deanery this is happening at St Nicholas Cranleigh, and everyone from Alfold and Loxwood is welcome to attend.
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
Tora Bray’s funeral is arranged for Tuesday the 24th March at 2.30pm in St John the Baptist Loxwood.
Alfold Church Working Party
We are going to run another working party to clean up the church and churchyard in Alfold on Saturday 18th April, starting at 10am. If you are able to help, please do come along. Roger has lots of little and larger jobs lined up, suitable for all abilities!
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!
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.
