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.
St Nicholas’ Church Heating
Two of the six heaters at church were not working last Sunday which is why it was only 14°C inside church. 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 now spoken with Natalie Wainright at the Diocese and she is going to sound out appropriate grant making bodies about their willingness to support this initiative. 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 Meetings Sunday 8th & 22nd February after the service
The PCC has agreed to move the prayer meeting to the two Sundays when it is not Holy Communion and to have two per month rather than one. As before people are welcome to leave before the end if there is a time constraint. The meeting will definitely finish by 12 p.m.
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 February (but not Mondays 9th and 16th).
If in doubt because of the weather phone Joy (625545).
Message from Sue Whitehead
Deanery and Parish Support Administrator, Diocese of Bath & Wells
We are praying for those who clean our churches on Friday 6 February, using the following prayer from the monthly diocesan Prayer Calendar:-
“Jesus, who came to serve, we give thanks and pray for all across our diocese who have cleaned and prepared churches for worship this week so that they are places of welcome and comfort for all your people. Amen.”
Pray for The Venerable Dr Fiona Gibson, Archdeacon of Ludlow, who is being consecrated on Friday 6th February as the next Bishop of Taunton at a service in Southwark Cathedral, London.
Thursday 12th February: Coffee and Cake AFTERNOON at 2.30 pm in St Nicholas’ Church
An afternoon event with Guest Speaker Rao Khan taking about Scam Awareness.
This talk should be of particular relevance after fake emails were sent out by criminals last week pretending to come from two members of our congregation.
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
Starting Tuesday 24th February and every Tuesday thereafter until Easter, we are running a Lent course in St Nicholas Church from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. 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:
24/02 Presence: Being seen and being known for doing good
03/03 Perseverance: Being faithful in the long-term
10/03 Hospitality: Building a culture of giving and receiving openness and welcome
17/03 Adaptability: Being open to challenge and change
24/03 Participation: Inviting everyone to be part of what’s going on
31/03 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.
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.
Two Requests for accommodation
Hi, my name is Susannah Leitch (nee Scott). I grew up in Uphill and as a child was a member of St Nicholas’ Church. I now work at Weston College. I am looking for somewhere to stay on a Tuesday evening between half term and Easter (with the possibility of extending this, depending on my work situation). I don’t need any food provided. I would arrive between 6-7 on a Tuesday and be out by 8:30am on a Wednesday. I could pay up to £20 per night.
If you might be able to help, please phone or text me on 07813 681 780. Thank you.
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 8th February 2026
10:00 a.m. – Morning Worship live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Second Sunday before Lent
Genesis 1:1-2:3 Matthew 6:25-34
Prayer Meeting after the service
Wednesday 11th February 2026
10:30 a.m. Morning Prayer live and by zoom from St Barnabas
Matthew 17:9-23
Sunday 15tht February 2026
10:00 a.m. Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Sunday next before Lent
Exodus 24:12-18 Matthew 17:1-9
Wednesday 18th February 2026 – Ash Wednesday
10:30 a.m. Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Barnabas
Luke 15:11-32
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
The next Parish Update will be produced on Friday 20th February.
Please pray:
Joan Bailey – Joy says, “Joan was feeling a little confused and worried about her visit to the hospital on Wednesday, regarding her hearing aids. She is also fearful about being in her bedroom alone at night. Please pray for peace for Joan.
Joan was happy receiving roses from Lunch Club and says thank you. She also sends her love to everyone.”
Ann Butt - Please continue to pray for Ann who is very poorly.
Rene Eaton - Joy and Barbara had an enjoyable visit with Rene, in a Care Home for people with dementia. Rene was happy and content and chatted a lot. She spoke about Beryl Minnion (some will remember Beryl who started the Play Group, ran the Sunday School and was very good at encouraging the Playgroup children and parents into Sunday School and Family Services). Barbara asked Rene what she had for lunch; thinking it was Sunday, she said it was a very good lunch, as it always is on a Sunday, and they have a good tea too. She said it was a good place to be, if you couldn't be in your own home; the staff always had time for you. She then asked what Jeff was doing. I said he'd been shopping. She was appalled, surely not shopping on a Sunday! We had to tell her it wasn't Sunday! We prayed and Rene prayed too. Please pray for continued contentment for Rene, who is 100.
Joan Glover – please continue to pray for Joan after the loss of Peter.
Malcolm and Edna Hunter - Malcolm has now been moved to Berrow Ward. When Edna spoke to the doctor on Tuesday, he said they had still not been able to eradicate the infection, but signs were positive. They were continuing with the intravenous antibiotic steroids, and if Malcolm continued on his present (Tuesday) course of recovery, he may be home by the weekend. Edna thanks everyone for their prayers, for which she is very grateful, and sends her love.
Angela James
Ada Keeley
Louise Howarth
Audrey Howell
Lily Insley
Paul and Barbara Lewis
The Madeleys
Stella Middleton
Lynn Pack
Peggy Penhaligan