Hello everyone,

I returned yesterday from a wonderful week at Spring Harvest in Minehead, and I hope those of you who were not able to be there managed to watch something online. Attention at Spring Harvest moves to 2027 even before we have left Butlin’s in 2026! There is a change to the booking process this year so if you are at all interested in going next year I would like to draw your attention to the notice below about Spring Harvest 2027.

Thank you to everyone who made our Easter morning worship so special last weekend, whether that was at the Sunrise Service at Rockingham or the All Age Celebration at St Columba’s. It always helps when there are a good number of people present, and we can all help make that happen by attending services regularly, including those tomorrow at both churches.

At St Columba’s I mentioned that we will be starting an Alpha Course after Easter, and this is YOUR invitation to be part of that. For those who are not familiar with Alpha it is an introduction to the Christian faith, suitable for anyone who is exploring faith in Jesus, new to faith in Jesus, or who wants to make sure they have strong foundations for their faith in Jesus. It is also a great opportunity to invite friends and family members along to a relaxed meeting where questions are welcomed. We have not yet decided on a day or time, because we want to find the best time for all those who are interested in joining the course, so if that is you, or someone you would like to invite, do let me know when is best for you.

For those who have done Alpha in the past there will be a new Wednesday Course happening soon.

Details of all the upcoming events are as follows:

SUNDAY 12th APRIL
10.30am MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. This service will be available to watch on YouTube for those who are unable to be in church. Just go to: https://youtube.com/live/eqVnwfkGRdA
3pm FAMILY SERVICE at St Leonard’s, Rockingham. If you are going to Rockingham for a Sunday afternoon service in the summer months when the Castle is open to visitors, you simply have to tell the person in the kiosk that you are going to church.
6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s.

ISOBEL WASSON’S funeral is on Tuesday 14th April at 11.30am in St Columba’s and everyone is welcome to attend. If you come please don’t wear dark clothes as Isobel loved bright colours, and, as she is now enjoying life in heaven where everything will be brighter than we can imagine, this is so appropriate. The service in church will be followed by a Cremation and then refreshments in the Church Hall and everyone is welcome to both of these.

ANNUAL MEETINGS
St Leonard’s Annual Meeting is happening on Wednesday 15th April at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

St Columba’s Annual Meeting is on Sunday 26th April and will take place in the Church Hall after the morning service and coffee, and be followed by a shared lunch – more details of that next week. Thank you to those who completed Electoral Roll applications and are now on our membership list and able to vote at this meeting, if there is anyone else who is not on the Electoral Roll please do speak to me.

Please do join us for whichever is the appropriate meeting for you and to find out more about what the Lord has been doing in the life of the church over the last year.

SUNDAY 19th APRIL
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people.
6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s

SPRING HARVEST 2027 “The Adventure of a Lifetime”
The booking lines open on Thursday this week (16th April) for next year’s Spring Harvest at Butlin’s, Skegness from Monday 5th to Friday 9th April 2027 (this is the second week of the school Easter holidays, with Easter Day being on 28th March). We realise this is much earlier than usual, but it does give you more time to pay. If you would like to be included in our booking or would like more information please speak with Miriam or me by Wednesday.

We are suggesting that, like this year, people book a Room and Butlin’s food. The cost will depend on the type of room chosen (and availability) but the options are:
Standard Room £185 per adult (£165 per child 14 or under)
Comfort Room £239 per adult (£219 per child 14 or under)

Food Court (as this year) £79.50 per adult (£47.85 per child 6-14 and £22.35 per child 2-5)

It is also possible to book apartments (like we have had at Skegness in the past) at a cost of £285 per adult (£265 per child 14 or under) – this is the only way to have a lounge at Skegness.

PLEASE NOTE – all units have to be fully booked, so if there are 3 people in a 4 berth unit then 4 have to be paid for, although there is more flexibility of Comfort Room size (subject to availability). If we book together we receive one free place for every 15 paying places booked which is always helpful, and a good reason for booking together.

CHARITY OF THE WEEK: Tim & Carol Derbyshire serving with Hope from Above
When we joined the M5 yesterday on our way home from Spring Harvest, and the traffic was moving very slowly, Tim & Carol were driving past and spotted us! We were able to stop at the next services and enjoy a short time of fellowship with them. Here is their latest Prayer Letter, so do open it up, have a read and pray for the points raised. When you do you will notice that they mention coming to Corby, which will be on Sunday 14th June.

As I said earlier thank you to everyone who joined us for our special Easter Day services, and can I encourage you to help give us full churches again tomorrow!

God bless you all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609