St James The Great
Old Milverton, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
A service for everyone
Friday 6 March
Lillington Free Church
Cubbington Road
Lillington
CV32 7AL
Holy Communion
Bishop Sophie has asked that all churches return to sharing the common cup at Holy Communion rather than the priest dipping the wafer into the wine before distribution. She writes:
- ‘Please be aware that to receive in 'one kind' is perfectly acceptable if that is the communicant's preference (bread or wafer only). To do so is still to receive communion in full, even where wine is not consumed. This means that it is perfectly in order for communicants to receive only bread and decline the cup temporarily if they are feeling unwell.’
In line with her wishes, we will return to offering the bread and wine separately from March 15th (Mothering Sunday).
Confirmation
Might you be interested in being confirmed this year? Sue is going to organise some meetings and would be delighted to talk to anyone who would be interested, or who would simply like to find out more. Age is no limit – everyone is invited. We are looking possibly at being ready for the confirmation taking place at Coventry Cathedral, with Bishop Sophie on Saturday 23rd May at 4.00pm.
Caring for the churchyard
May I remind everyone that the churchyard guidelines ask that at any one time, just one flower vase or plant pot should be left on an ashes or grave plot, and there should be no ornaments, toys, food or drink left. Our churchyard is maintained entirely by volunteers and there are large areas to be mowed. It makes the process much more difficult and time-consuming when there are extra containers to be moved each time mowing takes place.
Before the regular mowing for the coming season gets underway, we are therefore asking that you remove any extra containers and ornaments by the end of March please. Anything left after that point will be moved and placed by the church for you to collect (close to the water butts) until the end of April or, in the case of ornaments, held inside church for safe-keeping. At that point, anything that has not been collected will be disposed of. We will also be removing and disposing of any Christmas wreaths or decorations that are still in the churchyard at the end of this coming week.
Thank you, Sue
Lent Lunch this year will be on Saturday 28th March in the Parish Room, at 12.30pm. This is always an excellent social occasion so do join us. There will be a list to sign at the back of the church ahead of the date, to give the Social Team some idea of numbers.
Our next Muddy Church event will be on Sunday, 29th March at 3.00pm. As this is Palm Sunday, we will be thinking about the Easter story with some practical activities and refreshments. Everyone is welcome, however young or old so do come and have some fun. The other dates for this year are June 14th and October 11th and all meetings are on a Sunday afternoon starting at 3.00pm
Churchyard clearing dates for 2026 Please put these dates into your diary and coming along to help if you are able (please bring your own tools). All are on Saturday mornings starting at about 9.30. Refreshments will be provided.
- 11th April
- 13th June
- 22nd August
- 17th October
- Leaf clearance 12th December.
Annual review of St James’ Electoral Roll At this time of year we carry out an annual review of our Electoral Roll in readiness for the church’s Annual Parochial Meeting at the end of April. Anyone who has attended St James regularly for at least six months is able to join the electoral roll, which is a record of membership of the church and gives voting rights to all those on the roll. If you are already on this there is nothing further you need to do. If you would like to join, please speak to Claire Drage, our Electoral Roll Officer who will give you the necessary form to complete.
This year’s revision will take place between Monday 23rd March and Monday 6th April and then the new roll will be displayed on the porch noticeboard until the Annual Meeting on April 26th
Advance notice that on Maundy Thursday (April 2nd) we are going to do something different this year: we will be joining our friends at St Mary Magdalene for a Passover Meal. We will have more details for you a little nearer the date and a sign-up sheet if you are hoping to attend.
Coffee Rota: Our Sunday morning coffee time is an important part of our morning worship, offering a welcome to visitors and giving us all time to share God’s love with one another. Please think about whether you might offer to take a turn at serving coffee and either speak to Sally Begg or sign up on the rota at the back of church. If bringing the water is a problem for you, we are happy to arrange that, leaving you just to bring milk and biscuits.
Foodbank – there is a current shortage of: cooking oil, chocolate, multipacks of crisps/snacks, cat food, vegan milk, tinned potatoes, tinned ham, tinned rice pudding, small bottles of squash, deodorant, razors, shaving foam/gel. Thank you to those of you who bring donations along to church: we take these to the foodbank distribution point in Lillington, so we are helping people living within the boundaries of our sister parish of St Mary Magdalene.
Don’t forget that we are still collecting medical items for Ukraine – anything you could buy over the counter in a chemist shop is welcome (painkillers, dressings, antiseptic wipes, ointments etc.)
Our Building Plans: copies of the architect’s drawings are in church for you to look at. If you have questions, come and ask one of the Steering Group members (Jane, Michael, Sue, Chris Vincett, Ali Foster and Allison Wiggin)
Safeguarding Survey The INEQE Safeguarding Audit is a major part of the Church of England’s national commitment to strengthening safeguarding culture, practice, and accountability across every diocese. The Diocese of Coventry will take part in this programme this year, with preparation work already underway. The audit will give the diocese the chance to take note of and celebrate all the important safeguarding work that is happening and the process will culminate in some recommendations for further improvement of our safeguarding practices. From this coming month, everyone is invited to take part in an online survey to share your views. INEQE auditors will be in the diocese in July and their full report will be published in October.
If you would like to take part in the surveys, you will find more information on the diocesan website www.coventry.anglican.org under the headings Parish Support / Safeguarding where a link to the online survey will be available.
Thought for the month: Lent Fasting and Feasting
When leading our Ash Wednesday service, Felicity used to read a litany used by a religious community in the USA. Although Lent is well under way as we enter March, I thought you might like to hear it again and perhaps choose just one or two of its fasts and feasts to try and do during the coming month.
Fast from judging others …
Feast on Christ dwelling in them
- Fast from words that pollute the brain…
- Feast on phrases that purify
Fast from anger…
Feast on patience
- Fast from worry…
- Feast on God’s constant presence and care
Fast from over-self-concern…
Feast on compassion for others
- Fast from discouragement
- Feast on hope in God
Fast from idle gossip…
Feast on affirming others
- Fast from the sin that weighs me down…
- Feast on the sacrament of reconciliation that brings healing and freedom
Fast from being overly-busy…
Feast on quiet times with my Saviour and Friend
- Fast from rebelliousness within…
- Feast on deeper surrender
Fast from fears that overwhelm…
Feast on prayer and God’s love for me
- Fast from those things that keep me from loving others…
- Feast on generosity and self-giving
Fast from any feelings of unworthiness…
Feast on the truth that I am a child of God
- Fast from the lie that says ‘You’re all alone…’
- Feast on the friendship Jesus offers me and listen to him say ‘I am with you always’
Fast from un-forgiveness, resentment and bitterness…
Feast on forgiveness and peace of mind
With love, Sue
Clergy
Revd. William Smith 316475 wms.smith@btinternet.com
Revd. Sue Fairhurst 735254 suefairhurst0@gmail.com
Reader
Geoff Wiggin 07585 336471 geogeoff@live.co.uk
Safeguarding Officer
Penny Hawkins 07833 978522
Churchwardens
Michael Rayner 831522
Jane Marshall 831680
Website & email
www.stjamesoldmilverton.co.uk churchwardenstjames@outlook.com
As the days lengthen. and the earth spends longer in the light of day,
Grant that I may spend longer in the light of your presence, O Lord,
and may those seeds of your Word,
which have been long-buried within me,
grow, like everything around us,
into love for you, and love for people;
to become a visible declaration
of your Lordship in my life.
Grant, Father, that this Lent
there may be a springtime for my life in Christ.
Dick Williams
Parish News
Ali Foster © 2013