8th March 2026
By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 14 March 2026
Hello everyone,
I must begin this message with the sad news that Isobel Wasson died in the early hours of Friday morning. Isobel suddenly declined in health on Tuesday and had all medication stopped apart from pain relief and was mostly sleeping peacefully for her last couple of days. Hazel was with her most of this time and other family members were also able to visit. I was able to anoint and pray with Isobel on Wednesday afternoon. It is always sad when someone we know comes to the end of their life on earth, but Isobel had a strong faith and we can be confident that she is now with the Lord enjoying the glory of heaven. Please pray for Hazel and all Isobel’s family. As yet there is no date for Isobel’s funeral, but I will make sure people know when it is arranged.
The really exciting news is that work on the new toilet will begin this coming week. You will see fences and a digger outside church and inside church will notice that all the books have now been moved. As explained in the service last week, while we have the money for the toilet we need to raise more funds for the servery and new environmentally friendly heating. A notice was handed out last week and more copies are available in church. These encourage people to pray about how much they might contribute to our PRAYER and GIFT DAY on Saturday 21st March from 9am to 3pm. During this time there will be time to pray, together and alone, as well as for people to make gifts to the CHURCH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. Everyone is invited to come along, for as short or as long a time as they like, to join in the prayer and giving.
The notice also explains how people can add an extra 25p to every £1 they give by making use of GIFT AID. As a guide, if you know how much INCOME TAX you have paid on wages, salary, pension or savings them you can multiply that amount by 4 to give the amount you can donate with GIFT AID in one tax year (this is ALL Gift Aid donations, to the Gift Day, General Church Funds and any other charities you support). As we are near the end of the tax year it should be possible to find the “Tax to date” figure on your latest payslip or equivalent. If you are want to give more than the “4 times” figure you may be able to split the donation between this tax year (ending 5th April) and next tax year (starting 6th April) or only use Gift Aid on part of your donation. If you have any questions about GIFT AID please do speak with our Treasurer, Justin Dyche, or myself or a professional tax advisor.
Details of all the upcoming events are as follows:
Sunday 8th March
10.30am – Holy Communion at St Columba’s – During this service the children and young people will be preparing for next week’s MOTHERING SUNDAY service, so it would be really good to see a good number of children in church. There may be an additional rehearsal for the children, on either Friday at 4.30pm or Saturday afternoon, we will be able to confirm that after tomorrow morning!
This service will be available to watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/uBEwVPxj8U0
3pm – Family Service in Rockingham Village Hall – this is the last of the Winter Family Services in the warmer environment of the Village Hall – do come along if you are able to join us.
6pm – Prayer Meeting at St Columba’s – everyone welcome.
DISCIPLESHIP EXPLORED
The Discipleship Explored course continues this week with meetings on Wednesday 11th March at 10.30am and 7.30pm. We will look at the homework from last week, before watching the next video and discussing questions in small groups. It is possible the work on the new toilet will mean moving to the Church Hall on Wednesday morning – look out for messages or notices on the Church and Hall doors.
Friday 13th March – LADIES AFTERNOON TEA
All ladies welcome to join us for the very popular Afternoon Tea at 3pm on Friday in the Church Hall. Our speaker this month is Damian Carr from Hope Church. Please note the April tea is cancelled because of Spring Harvest.
Sunday 15th March
10.30am – Mothering Sunday All Age Worship at St Columba’s – with puppets, flowers and gifts for mums this promises to be a very exciting service, and not just for mums. Please do come along, and children make a note of the information above about coming on Sunday 8th to prepare for this service.
6pm – Prayer Meeting at St Columba’s – everyone welcome.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES
Unseen Witnesses a series of reflections on less well known characters from the Passion narratives, each one will be available in a morning and an evening session as follows:
First Reflection “The Donkey” Monday 30th March 10.30am and Tuesday 31st March 7.30pm
Second Reflection “The Man with the Water Jar” Wednesday 1st April 10.30am and 7.30pm
Third Reflection “Peter’s Accuser at the Fire” Thursday 2nd April 10.30am and Good Friday 3rd April 7.30pm
Maundy Thursday at Rockingham – 2nd April at 7pm
Hot Cross Bun Feast in St Columba’s Church Hall – Good Friday 3rd April at 10am
Easter Sunrise Service at Rockingham – 5th April at 6.30am. This is always a very special time to gather, initially round a fire outside the church, before moving to the font and then into the church for a short sermon and Communion accompanied by Easter hymns.
Easter Day All Age Celebration with Communion at St Columba’s – 5th April at 10.30am
PRAYER OF THE WEEK:
This week, rather than having a charity of the week I have taken resources from two organisations to help us pray for the situation in the Middle East. First there is a video from Tearfund that you can watch and join in with their prayer. You can watch that here: Pray for peace in Middle East on Vimeo
And second I have included a Prayer from Embrace the Middle East (formerly known as the Bible Lands Society). They introduce the prayer by saying “we watch in dismay and anguish as violence once again escalates in the region. Please join us in prayer:”
Almighty God, our refuge and our strength,
we turn to you as we once again witness the rising of conflict and the fear laid upon ordinary lives.
Trusting in your steadfast love,
we hold before you our friends and partners across the Middle East,
in communities already stretched beyond endurance.
Surround them with your protection.
Be a fortress for those who cannot flee and a shield for those whose work is to heal and to hope.
We remember before you all whose hearts are filled with dread today
and whose future feels unbearably fragile.
Do not let the innocent be swept away by the decisions of the powerful.
Break the bow and shatter the spear.
Open paths for wisdom, restraint, and justice
where none seem possible.
Give courage to peacemakers
and clarity to those who speak truth.
Let your peace take root in scorched and fearful places.
Keep our hearts from despair and teach us to stand with those who suffer,
to pray without ceasing
and to hope, even now, in your redeeming love.
Amen.
God bless you,
Ian
01536 400225
07903 644609