April Services at Ansley Churches
| 13th April
Palm Sunday |
St Laurence
|
10.30 a.m. | Special Service |
| 17th April
Maundy Thursday |
St John’s | 3.00 p.m. | Holy Communion |
| 20th April
Easter Day |
St Laurence | 10.30 a.m. | Holy Communion |
| 27th April
Easter 2 |
St Laurence’s | 10.30 a.m.
|
Holy Communion |
From the Registers
Interment
The ashes of Barbara Donnicliff were interred in a family grave on Wednesday 19th March. We remember her family and friends in our prayers.
Holy Week and Easter Services
We will meet in the Annexe at St Laurence on Palm Sunday at 10.30 a.m. to begin the service. We will then move to the church to continue a reading of The Passion by individuals and the congregation.
There will be a service of Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday at St John’s at 3.00 p.m.
On Good Friday St Laurence church will be open for informal reflection or prayer from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Volunteers to help on Easter Saturday with decorating the church would be much appreciated.
There will be a service of Holy Communion in St Laurence Church on Easter Day at 10.30 a.m.
You are very welcome to attend some or all of these services.
World Day of Prayer Report
A small group gathered at St John’s for the Worship Service inspired and led by Christian women from the Cook Islands, who wrote,
“God knows us intimately and we are special to God in our uniqueness. When we open the doors of our hearts to this truth everything in our life changes. We glow from within and we begin treating others as beloved children of God. Through this service we hope people will be spiritually uplifted as they come to trust the great love of God.”
Based on the words of Psalm 139, and woven within the stories of three Christian women, the service invited us to recognise that God created each one of us with great attention and loving care. We are unique and special and should cherish all aspects of who we are and of those around us! God created us. God knows us. God is with us. What a wonderful message to share!
Licensing of the Reverend Steve Medley as Priest-in-Charge
On Wednesday 12th March Rev Steve Medley was officially licensed as Priest in Charge of the Ley Group of Parishes. Ansley, Arley, Corley and Fillongley.
Before the service Steve had to swear allegiance to the Church of England, the King and the Bishop of Coventry and their successors. This took place in the presence of the Archdeacon, the Area Dean and the Church Wardens in the annexe. This was then followed by a special service in the church, attended by a good congregation plus several clergy from the Nuneaton Deanery, as well as people who had known Steve in parishes where he had worked previously.
During the service Steve was led to the Font, the Lectern, the Altar and the Prayer Desk where he undertook to perform the various duties appropriate to that part of the church. He also promised to work with the Headmistress of the Church of England School in Fillongley. The Archdeacon spoke of the work that had already been undertaken to help make the group work efficiently and effectively together and how it is planned for us to move forward to a new future.
At the end of the service Phil Rees made a very appropriate speech to thank the Reverend Gail Philip, who has been overseeing our parishes for the past few years.
The members of the congregation and PCC are pleased that we now have a settled leadership after all the changes we have had over recent years.
The joyous service was followed by refreshments served both in the church and annexe and a good number of the congregation stayed to chat and meet new people.
Our thanks are offered to the many who helped with this service, before, during and after.
Prayer Meeting at St John’s
The next meeting will be Tuesday 29th April at 2.00 p.m.
From the PCC
Finance
The church accounts are being approved as this is being written. It is very encouraging to let you know that at the end of last year, despite our spending on the new memorial for the Garden of Remembrance (for which we used some of the funds set aside for work on the churchyard trees) all the other accounts were in surplus. However, it has to be remembered that we did not carry out any work on the fabric of the church. We also have to remember that we held our 60th and final Flower Festival last year, which raised £4,560. The ‘Back in Time’ event planned this year for August Bank Holiday Monday is more about having fun. We hope this event will be able to raise some funds for the church and two charities; Acorn Hospice and George Eliot Hospital League of Friends.
The churchyard account benefitted from the fact that we had a lot more burials than we have had in recent years.
The interest received on the balances in the bank was one of the main factors for the overall increase. As we are all aware, interest rates can go up and down, especially in these volatile economic times, so we must not rely on this source of income.
It is by people giving generously over the years that we are able to pay our way.
There are today many ways to give to the church and some are more beneficial than others but it all depends on your personal circumstances.
These include:-
- Parish Giving – This is a way of giving monthly by direct debit. This is best used if you pay some form of tax on your income and you want to make a regular contribution each month. (Please ask for details.)
- Standing order or BACS – Both of these are easily arranged directly with your bank. However, if you pay tax please do ask for a Gift Aid form so that the church can claim the rebate of the tax you have paid at the rate of 25% of that sum.
- Cheque – As for Standing order and BACS if you pay tax please ask for a Gift Aid form.
- Card or QR code payments – The church can automatically claim the Gift Aid on these as long as they are a donation and no more than £30 per transaction. However, the card company do charge at 1.69% for these transactions.
- Cash – For any cash that is put on the plate and no more than £30 again the church can claim Gift Aid. But the bank do charge 40p for every £100 as a handling fee.
Please remember that whatever the amount or whichever method is used we are very grateful. Every penny counts and small change is very acceptable. As long as there are no rusty washers!
Easy fundraising- This is a method of giving that does not cost you anything.
This is only appropriate if you buy things online. Over 8,000 companies (unfortunately not Amazon) have signed up to this and they will make a small donation to the charity you have chosen. These small amounts, just pence being quite common do add up and last year the church received £69.41, which was a sum not to be sneezed at.
For more information go to
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk
If you have any questions or wish to have a discussion, please do not hesitate to ask.
New Electoral Roll
The Church of England asks parishes to prepare a new Electoral Roll every six years. During March forms have been completed by those wishing to be on the new roll, whether for the first time or following many years of involvement with the church. The roll gives an indication of how many people have a commitment to the church. It is also a requirement to be on the roll if you wish to become a PCC member or to represent the parish at Deanery Synod. Names may be added to the roll at any time during the year, just ask for a form.
Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will be held in the Annexe on Thursday 10th April at 2.00 p.m. Two Churchwardens will be elected plus two Assistant Churchwardens and reports will be presented on the past year. If your name is on the Electoral Roll you have the right to vote at the meeting for the lay people who will represent you on the Parochial Church Council. (PCC)
Advance Notice
Preparing for ‘Back in Time,’ a new August Bank Holiday event for 2025.
You are invited to the Annexe on Saturday 10th May from 10.00 to 12.00 noon. The purpose is to prepare craft activities for the August event, taste 1940s style cakes and enjoy good company.
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Prayer Requests
If you would like someone or a particular situation to be remembered in prayer, please make contact by email or phone one of the contacts on the front cover.