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.
Margaret Slocombe
Pray for Margaret’s two sons and all her family. The funeral was held on Friday 6th March.
Ann Butt
There will be a service of thanksgiving for the life of Ann Butt on Monday 16th March at 2 p.m. in St Nicholas Church. Please continue to pray for Ann’s family.
Maundy Thursday Passover Meal
CMJ (The Church’s Ministry among Jewish People) are running a Passover meal in St Nicholas on Maundy Thursday (2nd April) at 6:30 p.m.
In addition to CMJ’s representative there will also be a Jewish believer in Jesus, so this should be a very special event.
As CMJ want to open this to their local supporters, I am keen to invite our own people first.
If you would like to attend PLEASE EMAIL OR PHONE ME AS A MATTER OF URGENCY.
My contact details are mark@mibtravel.co.uk and 01934 620156.
Thank you. Mark
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. Please pray for wisdom and God’s favour as we submit an expression of interest this month to The Willats Trust. This will be the first step in the process for submitting a grant application with a decision in September.
“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, Israel Gaza and Iran
On Monday 9th March this will be at 15 Wingard Close from 9.30 to 10.00. It will be back in St Nicholas’ Church on Mondays 16th and 23rd.
If in doubt because of the weather phone Joy (625545).
LENT GROUP – NOW ON THURSDAYS 10:30 to 12:00
Every Thursday in Lent, 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:
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
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 was changed to accommodate more people. Although the whole course is beneficial, the sessions can also be seen as stand alone so please come even if you cannot commit to all the sessions.
Monday 9th March 9:30 a.m. in St Nicholas Church
Please pray for the PCC as we discuss the follow on from the Vision Day.
Wednesday 11th March and Thursday 12th March in St Nicholas Church
Please pray for the school children who are visiting to learn about the Church and our beliefs.
Thursday 12th March, 10:30 a.m. in St Nicholas
Lent Course - Hospitality: Building a culture of giving and receiving openness and welcome
Monday 16th March 2:00 p.m. 2026 in St Nicholas
Service of Thanksgiving for Ann Butt
Thursday 19th March, 10:30 a.m. in St Nicholas
Lent Course - Adaptability: Being open to challenge and change
Monday 23rd March 9:30 a.m. at 52 Uphill Way – PCC
Please pray for the PCC who are meeting today.
Thursday 26th March, 10:30 a.m. in St Nicholas
Lent Course - Participation: Inviting everyone to be part of what’s going on
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.
Lunch Break in April
Please note that this has been moved to Monday 20th.
Services
Sunday 8th March 2026
10:00 a.m. – Morning Worship live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Lent 3
Exodus 17:1-7 John 4:5-42
Prayer Meeting after the service
Wednesday 11th March 2026
10:30 a.m. Morning Prayer live and by zoom from St Barnabas
Lent 3
Ephesians 6:10-20
Sunday 15th March 2026 All Together Service live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Lent 4 – Mothering Sunday
Readings to be confirmed nearer the time.
The third Sunday Communion will be moved to the following week.
Wednesday 18th March
10:30 a.m. Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Barnabas
Lent 4
John 3:14-21
Sunday 22nd March 2026
10:00 a.m. – Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Lent 5
1 Samuel 16:1-13 John 9:1-41
Prayer Meeting after the service
Wednesday 25th March 2026
10:00 a.m. – Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Barnabas
Palm Sunday
Matthew 27:11-54
Sunday 29th March 2026
10:00 a.m. – Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Palm Sunday
Psalm 118:1-2 & 19-29 Matthew 21:1-11
The next Parish Update will be produced on Friday 27th March.
Please pray:
Joan Bailey - Joan was happy on Monday as she said they had moved her to a downstairs room, although she hadn't seen it yet. Please pray this will stop her fears each night when she goes up in a lift, which she hasn't liked and it seemed to disorientate her. Please also pray that the staff will be happy to take her to her room when she has visitors. Thank the Lord for Richard and Jane Caddell's visit (former curate) this past week, which will have cheered Joan.
Joan thanked Stella and Lunch Club for the beautiful daffodils.
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
Lily Insley
Paul and Barbara Lewis
The Madeleys – Caroline says: “Thank you for your prayers for my dad. I went to visit him last Saturday and things were more positive. On Monday he was moved out of HDU and on Wednesday he took a few steps with a frame.
Today (Thursday), however, he is back in HDU, lying flat with a drain in. We do not know at the moment whether it’s further infection or another spinal fluid leak.”
Stella Middleton
Lynn Pack
Peggy Penhaligan
Gwen Purnell - Gwen keeps well and content in her Care Home. Sadly her daughter Liz doesn't really know if her Mum recognises her, but Liz says her Mum retains her personality. A noticeable peace comes over Gwen when Liz reads the Bible to her, and Gwen always joins in with Amen at the end of a prayer.
Mac Reid
Jo Scott
Peter and Val Tullett – Val says: “Peter's present care home is concerned about his safety and think he would be better in a different home which is equipped to support him. Please pray that we can find the right home for him.”
Joy White
Gill and David Willis - Please continue to pray for good health for Gill as she looks after David with Parkinsons.
Diocesan Synod meets on Saturday 14th March.
This meeting is being given over to prayer as part of the Diocesan Year of Prayer.
Diocesan prayer for growth and transformation
“Loving God,
You alone bring growth to your Church and transformation to our communities.
We give thanks for the ways in which you are already at work in our lives and world.
As we look to the future, send your Holy Spirit to give vision to our planning,
wisdom to our actions, and grace in living and telling your story.
Help our churches to grow in commitment to you, in numbers and diversity,
and in partnership with our local communities in all that gives life,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Prayers for Mission
Pedro Santos as he proclaims the Gospel from Beit Immanuel in Tel Aviv Jaffa especially in these difficult times of war.
The Clarkes
Heather Johnstone, our CMS Mission Partner at Rehema in Tanzania: please continue to pray for the appeal process regarding Heather's work permit to go through successfully.
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.