St James The Great

​Old Milverton, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

03/04/2020 Message from Rev. Sue


Dear Friends

As we started out on this stay-at-home experience two weeks ago, I enthusiastically made a list of all the things I could get done around the house and garden.  I have to admit that I haven’t crossed many of them off the list yet!  I’ve sown some seeds in the greenhouse, and tidied up the kitchen cupboards, but as for the rest ……. I’ll have to report back in a few week’s time!

It’s Palm Sunday this weekend and there’s no way we can get palm crosses to you all, so I have a little challenge for you:  make your own!  I’m attaching a file with instructions if you want to have a go at all the folds, but feel free to do your own thing with card, paper or anything else that might work.  If you’re into colouring this is your chance to be creative!  Perhaps when this is all over and we are back together again, we could bring them all to church and offer them to God in recognition of the challenges we’ve all faced.  In the meantime, if you’re pleased with your offering, take a photo and send it to me, and I’ll add them to a future email. 

The Bible reading and reflection for this coming Sunday are based on Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem on the donkey, so you might like to make the cross and hold it as you read the passage and say the prayers.

Then it’s Holy Week.  I know that for those of you who normally come to our Maundy Thursday and/or Good Friday services it’s going to feel very strange, so I’ve also put in something for you to think about on both those days as well.  If that feels too specific, I encourage you instead to read an account of those days from one of the gospels at some point during the coming week.  It’s the events of Holy Week and Easter that truly make us Christians, so do please find a way to spend some time with Christ this week.  If you prefer something to watch or listen to, explore what the BBC has to offer on television and radio, or join William’s live streaming from St Mary Magdalene’s website at www.lillingtonparishchurch.org.  All you have to do is click on ‘live streaming on the left hand side to join in.  If you’ve not yet tried these I can recommend them. 

Don’t forget that if you know of anyone who would like our prayers at the moment, let me have some details and I will pass the request on to our prayer team. 

And finally, a thank you from Felicity to everyone who sent good wishes and signed cards and sent gifts for her birthday on Sunday (for those who didn’t know, it was a big one!).  She says ‘it was a lovely birthday full of flowers, cards and sunshine’.  

Wishing you all some sunshine and spring flowers this coming week,

With love,

Sue x

 

We are sorry to say that, following Church of England guidelines, THE CHURCH IS CLOSED until further notice. If you feel that we can help you in the meantime do get in touch with the church wardens via our 'Contact Us' page. We will keep in touch with everyone on our email list. See you all before long. ​In the mean time please see the Church of England website for details of services you can access on line, Covid 19 tips and prayer guidance. Also, the Bishop of Coventry has recorded a message for everyone.

Daily live streaming 

William is streaming a half-hour service on Sunday mornings at 10.00am and offering Night Prayer at 7.00pm each weekday evening, lasting about 15 minutes.  You can find all of these by going to St Mary Magdalene’s website - www.lillingtonparishchurch.org. Click on ‘live streaming on the left hand side to join in. William is producing an order of service for these, so if you would like that too, drop me an email and I will add you to the distribution list.