NEWS  FROM  S^t JAMES  AND S^t PHILIPS: 16 March 2007

St James was packed the other Sunday when the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides held their Thinking day service. Fortunately we managed to squeeze everybody in. It was great to see the sheer enthusiasm with which everyone took part in what was a rather “interactive” service. Afterwards they joined us for coffee in the hall. As it was the start of Fairtrade week we also had a very large display of Fairtrade goods for sale thanks to the help of local companies. The chocolate in particular seemed to be selling well, despite it being Lent.

 This coming Sunday is, of course, Mothering Sunday. We will be holding a special service, with no doubt a little gift for mothers. If you are not falling over piles of Easter Eggs in the shops then you are faced with displays of Mothers Day gifts. But this festival, like so many we have in the UK, is really a church festival. So even if you are taking Mum out for a special meal, there is plenty of time to come along to St James to share in that other part of Mothering Sunday.

 On Saturday (17 March) we our holding one of our renown coffee morning in the hall. It starts at 10.00 a.m. and tickets are £1.50. This is incredible value for a cup of coffee and a home-bake. Of course we also hope that you will be encouraged to part with some more of your “bawbees” at one of the stalls. So do drop in, you know you deserve it.

 The following Saturday we will be looking for support when we do our Spring Clean of the church. Just to remind fathers that this is rather like cleaning the car, but on a larger scale, so don’t just expect your wife to come along. “Unfortunately” I will be at a meeting in Denmark that weekend otherwise I would have joined in.

 Our Remembering Group are holding a special service followed by a light supper on 26 March at 7.00 pm. If you would like to come along then there is a list at the back of church for you to sign.

 A final reminder to the younger members of the church. The deadline for the competition to design a cover for the Easter edition of the magazine is this Sunday. So get a move on. This may be your first step towards getting the Turner Prize!