This is Christian Aid Week: 12th-17th May
Watch the moving story of young mum Tennah and new nurse Judith. Sierra Leone is the world’s most dangerous place to give birth. Ten women die giving birth every day. Your gift this Christian Aid Week will help provide vital healthcare to those who need it most. If it comes through your door, or if you get one in church this Sunday, then please use the Christian Aid Envelopes to make your gift or donate at www.christianaid.org.uk. Thank you so much – for your gift is one that will bring life! Can you help us deliver envelopes through doors in the parish? Pick a bundle up on Sunday – thanks.
For our weekly notices and details of Sunday worship please continue reading for Sunday 12th May 2019…
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Worship across the Parish: EASTER 4
8.00am St.Mary’s BCP Said Communion
Chris Richardson
9.15am St.Mary’s Morning Prayer for the World
Andy Norris
10.45am St.Mary’s Church Alive Communion
Chris Richardson
11.15am St.Francis’ Morning Worship
Paddy Trasler
6.30pm St.Mary’s BCP Merbecke Choral Communion
Humphrey Prideaux
Thurs 10.00am St.Faith’s Thursday Communion
Tim Watson
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NEW SUMMER ALPHA COURSE 29th May
If you’ve not experienced the new Alpha film series yet then you’re in for a treat if you come along to our next course. The films are both challenging and inspiring – they help us address questions of life and of faith – and help renew our Christian life. Our summer Alpha starts on Wed 29th May at 7.15pm in The Parish Centre.Eleven folk have already signed up to Alpha so please contact Revd Andy Norris if you’d be interested to join the new Alpha. Why not invite and bring a friend – it’s proven that friends do like invitations!
AFRICA QUIZ NIGHT & Fish n’ Chip Supper
Sign up now for the Africa Quiz Night on Saturday 1st June 7.30 – 10.30pm in the Parish Centre to help us raise the balance of our 2019 Africa Partnerships giving for CHASE Africa. Everyone welcome to join us for a noisy evening either in a team or as an individual. Enjoy a great evening; the quiz; a fish ’n chip supper & puddings; plus Stokes Bay Buskers Ukulele Band with Sing-a-long. Please bring own drinks. Tickets £10 from the Parish Centre.
THY KINGDOM COME ‘Beacon’ Event 9th June
The Bishop is calling all churches together to fellowship, pray and play at Pentecost 9th June in the grounds of Portchester Castle.
A special open air and ecumenical ‘beacon’ of prayer, worship, celebration:
1pm-2.30pm The big prayer picnic with fun for families and a variety of prayer tents to visit.
2.30pm-4pm The prayer & worship event drawing us all together as one.
So, bring a picnic, enjoy the castle, and come to some or all of this significant big day out for the whole church across Portsmouth.
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WORSHIPPING
Acts 2v47: praising God and enjoying the favour of people.
MORNING PRAYER for the World – today
Christian Aid Week will inspire our interactive prayer for the world (candles etc), and we’ll offer praises from our popular Songs of Fellowship books at 9.15am Morning Prayer this morning.
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Working Towards a New Parish Centre…
SEE OUR LATEST PLANS
for planning application.
At the back of St.Mary’s or in Parish Centre lobby.
These plans will form the basis of our planning application. Please pray earnestly if this is exciting and significant project is to go ahead – pray that it will be a valued ‘servant’ if it can happen. But, the cost will be significant and so all your help in fund raising and helping would be so much appreciated, thank you very much.
Coffee, Cake & Co. Tues 28th May
We’d value your company every 4th Tuesday of the month from 10.30am-noon in the Parish Centre. £2.50 for coffee and cake. Cakes & books for sale. A great buzz and meeting place.
ALVERSTOKE GARDEN WALKABOUT 6th-7th July
We have 15 gardens open this year. The tickets will be £5 per adult (children <15 free) and will allow entry for both days. On the day, the Parish Centre will be open for tickets, tea and cake. To make this event a resounding success we will need good weather and a lot of help on both days. Many thanks to all of you who have volunteered time and cake – all offers of help are still very welcome.
MANY THANKS to the team which hosted a fabulous Barn Dance!
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SERVING & GIVING
Acts 4v32: ‘“they did not claim their possessions as their own, but they shared everything they had… in God’s grace.”
THIS IS CHRISTIAN AID WEEK Can you help us deliver Christian Aid Week envelopes to every home in the parish? There is no longer any knocking on doors to collect donations, simply popping envelopes through the door. Philippa Harrap & Peter Ford will be at the back of St.Mary’s after St.Mary’s 9.15am and 10.45am services today with instructions and to give out envelopes. Please see them if you can help.
Become a DEMENTIA FRIEND 14th May
Join a free informative session to learn about dementia and what we can do to help. You could even join one of 2 million Dementia Friends! In the Parish Centre on Tues 14th May from 2.00-4.00pm. Refreshments provided. Just come along or more info from Julie Edwards
Gosport Older Persons Forum invitation to:
GOSPORT PUBLIC HEALTH FORUM 17th May
Thorngate Halls from 1.00 pm to 3.30pm on Friday 17 May. With:
The Willow Group, Better Local Healthcare, the Fareham & Gosport Clinical Commissioning Group, Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England Dentistry and South Central Ambulance Service. Anyone can book a free place for this free event via bit.ly/GosportPublicHealthForum
From Kate, Families Minister
TWO HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES
Families are invited to join us at half term for some community Fun!
29th Scavenger Hunt in Gosport Park and
30th May Family Bible Book Club in a Box
To register and for more info and times call Kate Families Minister on 07986009942. Limited Spaces so book early!
Yes Chef!
Kate plus Chris Richardson are also looking for someone willing to cook a very simple meal for our ‘Kids For Christ Club’ on 15th and 22nd May. In the Parish centre to eat at 5.30pm for approx. 8-10. If you can step in we would be very grateful. Call Kate – Thanks.
We’re very excited to announce new staff who will join us:
PIONEERING CURATE
Revd Erica Wilkie will work alongside and be trained by Revd Tim Watson. Erica will become a ‘pioneering curate’ who will serve her four year ‘Title’ focussed upon the community of Leesland, of Leesland Neighbourhood Church and St.Faith’s. Under Tim’s direction we shall see Erica in St.Mary’s and across the parish as she experiences ministry in a range of contexts. During her training Erica has already visited St.Mary’s to worship because her husband Peter, her parents and some of her family are already regular members here. Upon her ordination we look forward to welcoming Erica more formally within the parish.
HONORARY CHAPLAIN (GWMH) & ASSOCIATE MINISTER
Revd Steve Dent’s curacy at St.Faith’s, Lee on the Solent, is ending this July after which he will be licensed by the Bishop to Alverstoke parish in order that he can serve a chaplaincy role in the Gosport War Memorial Hospital and also be a minister here. This is a very positive appointment and those in the congregation who volunteer and support the hospital will find a very loving, caring and generous colleague in Steve. Currently a Deacon, Steve will be priested on 29th June and will join our team. Steve is married to Jane and we look forward to welcoming them both to the parish.
Meanwhile please pray for Revd Chris & Abbie Richardson
seeking a new post for Chris to leave us and become a vicar; and for Erica & Peter along with Steve & Jane in these final weeks as they anticipate ordinations on 29th June – grace to them all!
THE CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE…
Are presenting an evening to help reflect on current issues in church and national life such as family, freedom to preach the
gospel, gender identity etc. Further details from organiser Warren Green or just show up on the evening of 21 May at Cowplain Evangelical Church PO8 8XA from 1930 – 2045; all are very welcome. Locally at St.Mary’s ask Mike Critchley.
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WE’RE VERY SAD… but full of Easter hope.
Sadly Dr Brian Wright passed away on Thursday – so long a local GP and worshipper. Please remember his children David, Richard, Elizabeth and Gillian.
The funeral for Betty Carter is at 11.00am in St.Mary’s on Monday 20th May – remembering her children Chris and Jenny.
The funeral for David Bailey is at noon on Tuesday 21st May remembering Jean, and their sons Adrian, Kevin and Michael.