Dear Friends,

I sometimes struggle to know how to be on Good Friday… It’s a sad and serious day, and so I know that we should be somewhat serious ourselves.

But I also know the end of the story… I’ve read ahead and I know what’s coming on Sunday! And so I find myself confused in Easter week - How should I be feeling? What should my face being doing? When can I start wishing people a ‘Happy Easter!’?

But I heard something at Guildford Cathedral this morning that made a lot of sense. At least to me…

They said that Good Friday, the day that Jesus died on the cross, is like a stained glass window. We look at it. And we admire it for it’s own beauty and detail.

But we also look through it to what’s beyond. To Easter Sunday, the day that Jesus rose again. To the resurrection hope and light that comes from the empty tomb.

And as that light of resurrection hope shines through from behind, it makes the cross itself look all the more wonderful!

So if you see an odd look on my face this week, that is what I’m thinking about. I’m looking at the cross, illuminated from behind by Easter Sunday. And I want to invite you, whoever you are, whatever your background to come and look too.

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.
Please note:
- There is no 8.30am or Evensong Service on Easter Sunday.
- That the Easter 10am is taking place in St Nicholas Alfold.
- And that there will be no Monday Morning Prayer meeting on the 6th April. Resumes on the 13th.

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

With love in Christ,

Revd. James Forward

Read on Below the Line!

Women’s Breakfast

The next breakfast will be on Saturday 25th April. We are welcoming Cherry Redding who will be speaking about 'Making the most of the midlife sandwich.'. In midlife we always need hope of a better future. What this world offers doesn’t completely satisfy. If we look up to God the Father, He is offering “I am with you always and everything I have is yours.”. We are looking forward to hearing all about it!

The cost is £7.00 per person. We accept cash or card payment on the door.

If you would like to come please sign up using the sign up sheets at Church during Sunday services, the online registration form (https://forms.gle/E1RY8mEomg5bz7u38) or email alflox.womensbreakfast@gmail.com

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!

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

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!

Geoff Davidson Burial of Ashes

Thank you to all who came to Geoff Davidson’s funeral. We are going to bury his ashes in Alfold Churchyard on Sunday the 26th April, immediately after the 10am service. All are welcome to attend.

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 6th May. 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

Is not happening on Monday 6th April. Resumes as normal on the 13th.

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