Our 2026 Memory Verse
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 NIV
The memory verse for 2026 reminds us that the Lord wants people to believe in him that they may truly become his children. For that to happen, everyone must play their part.
Ann Butt
Please continue to pray for the family of Ann Butt. At the time of writing there are no details about her funeral. We will circulate the information as soon as it is available.
Margaret Slocombe
The funeral of Margaret Slocombe (St Barnabas) will be at 10:30 on Friday 6th March at Ebdon Road Chapel followed by a burial. If anyone from St Barnabas would like a lift, please speak to Mark and he will see what he can do to help.
Margaret was a faithful member of the St Barnabas Wednesday service and a regular attender at Lunch Club. Please pray for her two sons and all her family.
St Nicholas’ Church Heating
Two of the six heaters at church have not been working. An engineer will be coming on Monday 23rd February to service the heaters by the main door and by the vestry door.
St Barnabas Update
The appointment of a full-time Pioneer Minister at St Barnabas is dependent upon securing grant funding for the next five years to cover the employment costs. Jim has contacted The Willats Trust which provides grants to Christian workers to share the Gospel in the most deprived areas of the UK. Their initial response is that it sounds like we fit a number of their criteria from the information we have provided. Grant applications can be made from March with a decision in September.
Please pray for wisdom and God’s favour as we work with St Paul’s to obtain the funds needed to employ the Pioneer Minister.
“Father, help everyone in our Magnificat Parishes look towards 2026 with the vision of you in their hearts and a renewed passion to share the love of Christ with all they meet. Renew hearts, minds, bodies and souls.”
Prayer for Peace in Ukraine and Israel Gaza/Palestine
St Nicholas’ Church will be open for prayer for peace between 9:30 and 10:00 on Monday 23rd and 2nd March.
If in doubt because of the weather phone Joy (625545).
On Saturday 21st February at 7pm at St Peter’s Church, Milton Simon Guillebaud will be speaking about his faith which took him to minister and witness in Burundi.
Hear powerful stories of faith, courage and hope from over 20 years serving in some of the world’s toughest places and be encouraged in your own walk with Jesus.
The meeting has been organised by Locking Deanery and is open to all without charge.
Lent Group – PLEASE READ - CHANGE OF DAY AND TIME
Starting Thursday 26th February and every Thursday thereafter until Easter, we are running a Lent course in St Nicholas Church from 10:30 to 12:00. The course is called Growing Good and is a perfect follow on to our Vision Day as we continue to seek God’s leading. Each session has some input followed by discussion which will help us continue to think about developing what we felt at the Vision Day.
The sessions are:
26/02 Presence: Being seen and being known for doing good
05/03 Perseverance: Being faithful in the long-term
12/03 Hospitality: Building a culture of giving and receiving openness and welcome
19/03 Adaptability: Being open to challenge and change
26/03 Participation: Inviting everyone to be part of what’s going on
02/04 Justice: Building relationships and acting for change
TBA Next Steps: Turning Ideas Into Action
This last session has been deliberately left until after Easter to give time to pray and think about what we have learnt and to see how the Lord is leading us forward having been reminded of his amazing love over the Easter period.
This course will only benefit us long term if as many people as possible can come. We want as many as possible to be involved in the process of seeing the future with God. The day and time has been changed to accommodate more people.
Thursday 26th February, 10:30 a.m. in St Nicholas
Lent Course - Presence: Being seen and being known for doing good
Monday 2nd March 2026 – Standing Committee
Please pray for Standing Committee meeting at 9:30 a.m.
Lunch Club – Monday 2nd March at 12.45 in St Barnabas
New folks welcome. Please contact Pauline on 01934 415401.
Will regulars also please contact Pauline if they are unable to come this month.
Please pray for those who attend and those who cook and serve but most importantly, that the Lord will make himself known.
Wednesday 4th March 2026 – Messy Church
The man Lowered through the roof. Luke 5 vs17-39
We need more help for Messy Church and you do not have to work with the children! We need more prayer warriors, people to move furniture, help wash up and / or clean up, engage with the parents whilst the children do craft activities etc. etc. Please let Gail or Mark know if you might be able to help. If you want to try it out, feel free to come to one Messy Church and see if it is your thing, you do not have to sign up for life from day 1!
Thursday 5th March, 10:30 a.m., St Nicholas
Lent Course - Perseverance: Being faithful in the long-term
Quiz in St Nicholas’ Church – 6:30pm on Friday 6th March
Tickets from Caroline at £5 include a baked potato. Bring your own drinks.
Teams usually limited to six members. Do invite your friends.
Cleaning St Nicholas’ Church
Extra volunteers are needed please to help with the cleaning at St Nicholas Church, which is done on alternate weeks. If you are willing to help please contact Duncan at the Church Office.
Request for accommodation
John Wheatley, CMS trainer for theology students with CMS Pioneers and a youth worker on the estate, is asking for anyone who would be able to host students for 3 nights from June 23rd to 26th, B and B. If you can help, please let Joy know and she'll put you in touch with John. Thank you.
Services
Sunday 22nd February 2026
10:00 a.m. – All Together Worship live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Theme to be announced
Prayer Meeting after the service
Wednesday 25th February 2026
10:30 a.m. Morning Prayer live and by zoom from St Barnabas
Lent 1
Psalm 50:1-15
Sunday 1st March 2026
10:00 a.m. Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Second Sunday in Lent
Genesis 12:1-4 John 3:1-17
Wednesday 4th March
10:30 a.m. Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Barnabas
Lent 2
Luke 14:27-33
Sunday 8th March 2026
10:00 a.m. – Morning Worship live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Third Sunday in Lent
Exodus 17:1-7 John 4:5-42
Prayer Meeting after the service
The next Parish Update will be produced on Friday 6th March.
Please pray:
Joan Bailey
Rene Eaton
Joan Glover – please continue to pray for Joan after the loss of Peter.
Malcolm and Edna Hunter
Angela James
Ada Keeley
Louise Howarth
Audrey Howell - Audrey has been unwell for some time and Geraldine and Tom have been doing her shopping. Geraldine is pleased to report that Audrey is much better and her usual independent self again. Please continue your prayers for Audrey.
Lily Insley
Paul and Barbara Lewis
The Madeleys
Stella Middleton
Lynn Pack
Peggy Penhaligan
Gwen Purnell
Mac Reid
Jo Scott
Peter and Val Tullett
Joy White
Gill and David Willis
Bishop’s Council
Please pray for wisdom, understanding and a passion for Jesus for those attending the meeting on Tuesday 24th February. Jim will welcome your prayers as a member of council.
Locking Deanery Prayer
Please join in this prayer for our Deanery which was in the monthly Diocesan Prayer calendar on Monday:
“Loving God, renew churches in Locking Deanery with a vision of your kingdom, where all things are made anew. Through your Holy Spirit, give vision to their planning, wisdom to their actions, and power to their witness. Help your church serve the community, growing in leadership, numbers and spiritual commitment. Amen”
Prayers for Mission
Pedro Santos as he proclaims the Gospel from Beit Immanuel in Tel Aviv Jaffa
The Clarkes
Heather Johnstone
CMS mission partners Alison Giblett, Anya and Pastor Valery in Kiev – Living conditions in Kyiv are dire. Temperatures have dropped to negative numbers and there is little power. Pray for God's protection on the power stations. Alison shares that the Tabernacle of the Living God church (TLG) has become a vital hub, offering heat and cooking facilities to those in need. Please join with Christians across the world in continuing to pray for peace between Ukraine and Russia.
Contact Details
Mark’s contact details are mark@mibtravel.co.uk and 01934 620156.
Our Church Wardens
Jim: 01934 644623 or loringjim@outlook.com
Lynn: 01934 813763 or lynnmarypack@gmail.com
The Pastoral Team
Angela James 07792 133403
Barbara Lewis 07773 087439 (mobile preferred to landline 633655)
Joy Realff 625545
Parish Office
When Duncan is in the Parish Office it is usually at the following times:
Mondays and Wednesdays 09:00am - 2:00pm, Fridays 2:00 – 4:00pm.
Telephone – 01934 641 863 or 07766 482 850 Email - stnickswithstbs@gmail.com
The Parish Office will be closed on Wednesday 4th March as Duncan is away at a funeral.