THE RECTOR WRITES
March this year is the interim period between last month’s beginning of Lent and next month’s Easter celebrations… but that doesn’t mean that it’s a quiet month by any means.
At St. Mary’s, Melton, “Pass It On” continues. Thank you to all those who have received the folders and read the information inside. One of the main criticisms in the Church is break-downs in communication… well, if you have read or will read the leaflet, you should be much more “clued up” about our Church family’s life.”PIO” culminates on 21st March with a special Thanksgiving Service at 10.30 a.m. when the folders are returned to Church and offered to God. We look forward to repeating the exercise with Thorpe congregation after Easter.
We also continue focussing on Prayer, with Sunday 7th having “PRAYER, WHAT TO DO WHEN IT DOESN’T SEEM TO WORK” as its theme. Do come along to St. Mary’s Melton at 8.00. 9.50 or 10.30 a.m., Thorpe Arnold at 9.45 a.m., Burton at 11.15 a.m. or Welby at 3.00 p.m. to hear more!
The Lent Course on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 in Church also continues.
Mothering Sunday falls on 14th March and we have an opportunity to thank God for our human mothers, and also for “mother-Church”. Flowers will be distributed as usual. Do have a look at the service rota (apologies for the technical problems with the rota in some copies of last month’s magazine), but do note that the All-Age Worship Service in Melton is at 10.00 a.m.
Another highlight of the month is the Licensing Service for Revd Sharon Constable, our new Team Vicar. This is on March 23rd at 7.30 p.m. in St. Mary’s, Melton, followed by refreshments. The Bishop will be taking the service and it is an important occasion for the village churches, but also for our whole parish. Do please try to come along and give Sharon your support as she begins her new ministry amongst us.
Another piece of good news team-wise is the appointment of Sally Rowland as our new curate. Sally is still studying and will be ordained as deacon on 4th July. Do please pray for Sally as she prepares to come and work amongst us.
Palm Sunday (28th) is the beginning of Holy Week, during which there are daily services in our own Churches and across the other denominations in Melton right the way through to Easter Day. The Weekly News should keep you alerted to dates and times… and there will be more details in next month’s magazine.
There are still some annual church meetings to take place (every Church has to have one each year to appoint Church officers and Church Council members and to approve their accounts). On the 11th St. Mary’s is at 7.30 p.m. in the Samworth Centre, and on the 21st Thorpe’s will take place after Choral Evensong and Welby’s after Communion.
So let’s use these weeks of Lent as an opportunity to focus our minds on Jesus and what he achieved by journeying with his disciples to Jerusalem to suffer and to die for you and me… and then on the third day to be raised again in glory. That really is something worthwhile to share in and celebrate… and “pass on” the good news about!
Kevin Ashby
