Church Family News 22.03.26
Dear Friends,
Easter is close around the corner. We have much to celebrate. So there is lots to tell you about…
Prayer Central. As ever we meet on the first Wednesday of the month to pray. Although this meeting will be a little bit different. Wednesday 1st April | Loxwood | 7.30pm
Maundy Thursday Bring & Share. Bring a dish to share, and join us as we remember the Last Supper. 2nd April | Loxwood | 5.30pm
Good Friday. A reflective service of readings, hymns and silence as we remember Jesus’ death for us. 3rd April | Loxwood | 2pm
Dawn Service. A shared service with Emmanuel Chapel. Worship the Risen Son as the sun rises. 5th April | New Songhurst Farm, Merry Hills Lane, Loxwood. What Three Words location ///attending.flinch.poster | 6.30am
Easter Celebration. “He is not here, he is alive!” An All-Age service including an Easter Egg Hunt for the children. 5th April | Alfold | 10am.
We meet twice this coming Sunday morning in Alfold Church. We will be in Luke 22:63-23:25 as we see Jesus on trial before the Sanhedrin, King Herod, and Pontius Pilate. If you get the chance, please do read through beforehand.
8.30am | BCP Holy Communion
10am | Family Worship | 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!
Men’s Brekkie
The next Men’s Brekkie is coming up this 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
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.
Tora Bray’s Funeral
Tora Bray’s funeral is arranged for Tuesday the 24th March at 2.30pm in St John the Baptist Loxwood.
Judith Stubley’s Funeral
Judy Stubley’s funeral is arrange for Tuesday the 31st March at 12 noon in St John the Baptist Loxwood. All are welcome.
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.
Loxwood Fete Help
With the warmer weather, our minds soon turn towards the summer, and to Loxwood Fete on the 6th June! As ever we want to be a visible and helpful presence in our villages, and so we need your help manning the Church stall and the (unpopular with me) Soak the Vicar stand. Pop me an email if you can lend a hand! james@alflox.org
