March 2025 Newsletter
Surprised by Generosity
By Rev Jenny Bland
Lent is often seen as a season of giving things up… chocolate, coffee, social media—but what if it was also a time of receiving? What if, instead of scarcity, Lent surprised us with generosity? This year, our church is exploring the theme ‘Surprised by Generosity’ in our Sunday worship services and afterwards with readings, reflective questions and Lent lunches from 9th March to 13th April. We’ll reflect on how God often meets us in unexpected ways - through kindness, hospitality, and the generosity of others.
When I think of generosity, I tend to think of it as grand or highly meaningful gestures, but sometimes it’s the smallest things that leave the greatest impact so often, right? A warm smile from a stranger, a thoughtful word at just the right moment, an invitation to coffee or to share a meal, these are the small but powerful ways that love, generosity and kindness fill our lives. This Lent we’re practicing noticing more these moments, to receive them with gratitude, and to reflect on how we too might become bearers of generosity. This is coupled with looking at Luke’s Gospel, and finding out more about why christians describe and experience God as generous.
If we come with open hearts, Lent can be a season of fresh discovery about God, about others, and about ourselves. Whether you’re someone of deep faith or just curious, you are warmly invited to journey with us this Lent.
Come and find out more at our Sunday services (10am), share in a simple Lent lunch afterwards (from 12pm). You may just find yourself surprised by generosity.
Our Services this Month
March Services * HC denotes Holy Communion
2nd - 9am HC, 10am All Together, 12pm Baptism, 6pm Evensong
9th - 10am HC with JaM, children’s group, followed by refreshments and Lent lunch.
16th - 10am HC with JaM (followed by Lent lunch), 2:30-4pm Messy Church at the Methodist Chapel. 23rd - 10am HC with JaM (followed by Lent lunch).
30th – 10am HC (Mothering Sunday and Lent focus) with JaM (followed by Lent lunch).
Seasonal Services
5th – Ash Wednesday services, 9.30am in Church, 3pm in the Church Hall, 7.30pm in Church.
17th to 21st March - Easter Experience in Church for schools and uniformed organisations. Everyone is welcome to join us for our services and we warmly encourage children. We have an area with books and toys for families and a toilet a short walk away in our Church Hall.
Refreshments are served and friendship and fellowship encouraged after every Sunday 10am service in the Church Hall.
Please Pray this month for the Povey family as they mourn for Jennifer. Please pray for E and R Coles-Abell as they come to be baptised.
We are open every day 10am - 4pm* for everyone in our parish to make use of their parish church. So pop in, have a look around, make time to pray, read from the Bible or enjoy a pit stop with your little ones as they play with the toys. We’re open for you.
*Subject to occasional offices (weddings, funerals, baptisms) and special events/circumstances.
Midweek Worship
Every Wednesday - 9:30am Holy Communion.
On the first Wednesday of the month there is a short service of Holy Communion in the Church Hall at 3pm followed by refreshments - everyone is welcome, we often have new people joining us. Monday to Wednesday : 8:35am Morning Prayer
A message from Derek, our treasurer
I am pleased to advise that we have been able to make the following donations: Daylight Centre (Chritmas Cards) - £137
Church of England Childrens Society (Christingle & Carols on the Square) - £1202.20 Thank you to the congregation for all their support
A message from Sarah, our children, youth and families worker
Youth group/The Upper Room
Youth group continues meeting every week this term in homes (except for the weeks we have The Upper Room). We have snacks, games and explore a theme/Bible passage together. This term so far we’ve looked at ‘telling others about Jesus’, ‘did Jesus get angry’ and ‘global worries’. All secondary school age young people welcome!
Messy church
Messy church on February 2nd at the Methodist church went very well with about 35 people enjoying the songs, stories, crafts, activities and food- a really lovely atmosphere! We explored the story of Jesus being anointed by the sinful woman. Our next Messy church is March 16th exploring the story of Daniel in the Lion’s den. If anyone would be interested in being on team or supporting Messy church see me or Angela Bridge from the Methodist church.
JAM
In JAM this term we’ve explored the altogether theme and the stories of Jesus as a boy and Jesus is baptised. Later this term we’ll explore the stories of Jesus is tempted, Jesus walks on water, the Last Supper and the Easter story. All welcome!
B1BS and BOBS
BIBS and BOBs continues to be a warm and welcoming place for babies, preschool children and their families. We’ve explored lots of stories of Jesus with songs, crafts and activities. Lots planned for next term!
School
The school have expressed an interest in receiving both key stage 1 and 2 assemblies from the team so we are looking forward to blessing them in this way from next month. The school have confirmed they would like a Happiness club once a week in the school on Thursdays, starting after Easter, probably as an after school club from 3.30-4.30pm. If anyone would like to join the team to help with this please contact me or Simon.
Faith in families tip: Point to God in the every day
‘Creation is a great way to start a conversation about God. If you say it’s a beautiful day, point out a magnificent tree or are amazed at how much it’s raining, try adding on just a short statement like: “Isn’t God so amazing to have created all that?” Or you could use the opportunity to pray and thank him for his creation.’
This Month’s Events
FAIRTRADE CAFÉ & SECONDHAND BOOKSALE on SATURDAY 8th
MARCH as we also have one of our MEND & REPAIR* events alongside. Lots of new products including for Easter and our gardens. Enjoy chatting, browsing our products & secondhand books, & fresh coffee & yummy homemade cakes… Everyone welcome! Email: nicky_smithseb@yahoo.co.uk 07812 686944
*Repair & Mend’ Cafes – With our EB Green group, we’re aiming to run these bimonthly and can offer sewing & knitting repairs plus some portable electrical/electronic repairs including radios, laptops, vacuums, toasters, speakers. We’d love to expand what we do so come & chat to us on the 8th if you have any mending skills you’d like to offer this time or in future!
Other events in March
4th - Leek pie lunch (12:30 pm), Leek pie supper (7.30 pm) at The Swan
2nd - All Saints Youth Group 7 - 8.30pm, contact Sarah Howes at howes_africa@yahoo.com for location details
8th – Fairtrade Coffee Morning - 10am to 1pm, the Church Hall and Bishop’s Study
Day, ‘Lord Teach Us To Pray’, 10am-2:30pm at Caroline Chisholm school. ask Rev Jenny for more info or see on the Diocesan website.
9th - All Saints Youth Group 7 - 8.30pm, contact howes_africa@yahoo.com for location details
9th , 16th , 23rd , 30th March and 6th , 13th April – Lent Lunches (Surprised by Generosity). Video in church and then 12pm discussion and soup and bread lunch, donation will be asked to cover the costs. Sign up in Church or email the vicar.earlsbarton@outlook.com.
10th – Pints of View, The Stag from 8pm.
16th – Messy Church @ Methodist Church 2.30pm to 4pm (put 6th April in your diary for our next one - same time!).
16th – The Upper Room (young people’s group) - 7 to 8.30pm at All Saints Church
23rd - All Saints Youth Group 7 - 8.30pm, contact howes_africa@yahoo.com for location details
Art at All Saints
From 18th April and in situ for 2 weeks, All Saints is playing host to an Art installation. We are inviting any individuals or groups who would be interested in performing in the days or evenings. For further information contact Laura Ward at allsaints.earlsbarton@outlook.com
TES