As Easter draws near, the evenings get lighter and the vaccine rolls out, it feels like we can all breathe a little easier. Our traditional calendar might look a little different but there is still plenty of activity in the life of the church to share.
Firstly, thank you to the posy makers for preparing the flowers for Mothering Sunday and to Natasha for the delivery. Although a second lockdown Mothering Sunday was a sobering thought, it gave a little lift to everyone who received a posy to know that they are still being thought of.
At St Giles’ (as everywhere) the grass has started growing and that means it’s time for our annual lawnmower maintenance round. Five mowers and a chainsaw were ambulanced to Wexham Mowers, who did a sterling job. One mower, sadly, didn’t make it, however Wexham Mowers have very generously donated a refurbished replacement. Big thanks to them! If you have a petrol mower that you no longer need that is in working condition and would consider donating to the church, please get in touch via the office. Even better, if you can wield a petrol mower, or strimmer and would be able to give an hour or two on some Saturday mornings during the growing season, The Reapers are always looking for new members. A fortnightly stint is ideal but not essential and enthusiasm trumps experience!
The Store Cupboard, having helped so many people in all three lockdowns, is winding down this week. Ann and Julie were awarded the Jubilee Cup by the Parish Council for their services and accepted it on behalf of all the people who have donated homemade cakes, groceries, money and even clothing and books and made it such a success for the village.
Ann gave me some facts and figures to share about their activity in third lockdown.
Our Live Lent Lunchtimes are proving popular, getting 70-100 views apiece as time goes by. Natasha and Nigel are getting used to talking to themselves on Facebook Live (because they can’t see or hear the viewers as they can on Zoom!) and two of the Lifegroups are following through with the accompanying book “Living His Story” which has videos and discussion topics.
The videos by themselves are really interesting and accessible – two Archbishops, a Bishop, two Canons, an author of theology books and a really enthusiastic pastor of an inner city church all talk to the author of “Living His Story” about how they started to share their experience of faith with other people and how us “ordinary folk” can tell our ordinary stories too.
If you’d like to catch up or dip in to a couple of the sessions, Natasha and Nigel’s 20 minute services can be found here and the Living His Story interviews, which are each around 15 minutes, can be found here.
Lastly, although we are remaining online for all other services until further notice, our Easter Sunday service will be in person at St Giles’ at 10.30am on 4th April. We have to make a seating plan, so tickets are required and all the now familiar covid precautions will be in place. At the time of writing, there are only a few places left but you might get lucky – book at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/easter-sunday-service-at-st-giles-tickets-143993238653 or call the office.
There will even be an Easter Trail at St Giles’ (though no chocolate, sorry) which will be available from Easter Sunday throughout the school holidays with a “virtual” version you can play on our website too! Check the website, Friday email, facebook or instagram for updates.
We look forward to seeing as many people as possible!
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