These are difficult times indeed, but we should see them as an opportunity and not as a threat. The virus may attack our body but, as I shared on Sunday, our hope of heaven is a gift from God that cannot be taken away from us.
I also shared on Sunday how important it is that we follow all the advice given to us and that now includes that we do not meet together for worship. The Archbishops’ letter (for full text please click here) explains that “our usual pattern of Sunday services and other mid-week gatherings must be put on hold”. This means that there will be NO more services at church until further notice, including the Wednesday morning service tomorrow that I had indicated to some people earlier today would still be happening.
However this does not mean that church is going away, we just have to do church differently. I am looking at different ways in which people can engage in some form of worship with people from our church family, these include holding Morning Prayer by Skype, posting a “Thought for the Day” on our website and hopefully recording a sermon that you will be able to watch at home, bringing a familiar face into your living room alongside the many other voices at this time.
We will also, and most importantly, be introducing some phone support, which will involve someone from church calling you to bring news of our church family, to make sure you are well and to ask if there is anything that you need, or indeed that you can offer. Messages will be sent back to me to be shared round the church family, we would hope to be able to call most of the church family to prayer if someone was seriously ill for example. We also hope that if you need anything you will ask, people have offered to help so please don’t struggle or be in need.
In accordance with the Archbishops’ letter I hope the church will be open each day for private prayer at a time to be decided. While we cannot meet to worship the Food Bank will still operate for the time being. It may be that extra helpers will be required, if that is the case we will share the news and how you can help. Donations of food can be left at the back of church as usual if you have a key or brought to the Vicarage if not.
Please do stay in touch with the Lord in prayer, and with us through the phone (my number is 01536 400225 – please do use it) and in any other way you can.
May the Lord God almighty watch over you and all those you love at this time,
CHARITY OF THE WEEK: Children and Young People taking exams This week we invite you to pray, not for a charity, but for all the children who are taking exams over the next few weeks. This includes Year 6 children (who will be leaving Primary School this summer – those in our local schools will be given an It’s Your Move book from our charitable giving) who are taking SATs next week, and also those taking GCSEs, A levels, and any other College or University exams. At our PCC meeting last week we decided to donate books to the young people in Get Closer (our group for young people at Secondary School) who are going to University this autumn. These books will help equip them to maintain their Christian faith amid all the pressures of university life.
This email was meant to go out last night – in fact I sent it to myself, but forgot to copy it to everyone else. It is now rather short notice to remind you about the Quiz Night this evening. Also below are details about Roy Tosh’s funeral on Monday, with a livestream link for those unable to be there, and the Deanery Ascension Day service on Thursday evening at Stoke Albany, as well as Sunday services and our Charity of the week.
Details of all the upcoming events are as follows:
SATURDAY 9th MAY 7pm – QUIZ NIGHT in the Church Hall. You are very welcome, either on your own or in a team, please bring your own drinks and nibbles, questions, but not answers, provided. SUNDAY 10th MAY 10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. This service will be available to watch on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/O1A3RcuHK6Y?feature=share 3pm FAMILY SERVICE at St Leonard’s, Rockingham just drive in to the Castle and tell the kiosk that you are going to church. 6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s.
MONDAY 11th MAY 1.30pm – Roy Tosh’s Funeral Please do come along and support Jessie and her family at this celebration of Roy’s life. Jessie asks that people do not wear black. This service will also be available to watch on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/jevfsnUXuqk?feature=share
THURSDAY 14th MAY 7.30pm – DEANERY ASCENSION DAY SERVICE at Stoke Albany Everyone is welcome to celebrate Ascension Day at this service for the whole of Corby Deanery.
CHARITY OF THE WEEK: Children and Young People taking exams This week we invite you to pray, not for a charity, but for all the children who are taking exams over the next few weeks. This includes Year 6 children (who will be leaving Primary School this summer – those in our local schools will be given an It’s Your Move book from our charitable giving) who are taking SATs next week, and also those taking GCSEs, A levels, and any other College or University exams. At our PCC meeting this week we decided to donate books to the young people in Get Closer (our group for young people at Secondary School) who are going to University this autumn. These books will help equip them to maintain their Christian faith amid all the pressures of university life.
Thank you to everyone who came to our Annual Meeting last Sunday, to those who prepared the lunch afterwards, to all those who serve the church in any way, and to all those who were elected to PCC, Deanery Synod or as churchwarden. On the subject of churchwardens, I would like to thank John Lynch (who has now stepped down but will continue to be available as an unofficial deputy churchwarden) for his years of service as churchwarden, Janet Taylor for continuing to serve as churchwarden and David Bavin who has taken on this role (again – those of you with long memories will recall David has been a warden before).
I must also share the news that Roy Tosh died last Sunday morning, and that his funeral will be in St Columba’s on Monday 11th May at 1.30pm. Jessie has asked that people who are attending do not wear black as the service will be a celebration of Roy’s life, complete with saxophone music!
It is not too late to join our Alpha Course which begins tomorrow, Saturday 2nd May, at 10.30am in church. This day and time seems to work for some people, and if that is you, and you are interested in exploring faith in Jesus, new to faith in Jesus, want to make sure you have strong foundations for your faith in Jesus, or want to bring someone else along so they can find out about faith in Jesus, then do plan to be there.
Details of all the upcoming events are as follows:
SATURDAY 2nd MAY 10.30am – Alpha in the Church – see above
SUNDAY 3rd MAY 10.30am ALL AGE WORSHIP at St Columba’s with lots of involvement by the children and young people. This service will also be available to watch on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/vruqYJtKMFs?feature=share 6pm HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s this is a quieter service than on a Sunday morning, and everyone is welcome.
TUESDAY 5th MAY 7.30pm – PCC St Columba’s PCC meets in church.
FRIDAY 8th MAY 3pm – AFTERNOON TEA After a break in April Afternoon Tea is back for all the ladies in the church. Please do come along to enjoy tea, coffee, sandwiches, cakes, scones and good conversation.
SATURDAY 9th MAY 10.30am –Alpha in the Church – see above 7pm QUIZ NIGHT in the church hall. Please bring your own nibbles and drinks and come either on your own or in a team.
SUNDAY 10th MAY 10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. 3pm FAMILY SERVICE at St Leonard’s, Rockingham just drive in to the Castle and tell the kiosk that you are going to church. 6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s.
MONDAY 11th MAY 1.30pm – Roy Tosh’s Funeral Please do come along and support Jessie and her family at this celebration of Roy’s life. Jessie asks that people do not wear black.
THURSDAY 14th MAY 7.30pm – DEANERY ASCENSION DAY SERVICE at Stoke Albany Everyone is welcome to celebrate Ascension Day at this service for the whole of Corby Deanery.
SPRING HARVEST 2027 If you asked to be booked in to Spring Harvest next year, and have not yet paid your deposit please can you do so on Sunday if possible. Deposits are £35 for adults and £20 for children.
CHARITY OF THE WEEK: The Children’s Society We usually think about the Children’s Society at the time of our Christingle Service, but their work goes on all through the year. This work includes, helping families who can’t afford their next meal; children who are manipulated into carrying drugs but have no one to talk to; young carers who miss out on school because they’re looking after mum and dad; refugees, 15 years old, alone in a new country, trying to find a house, get to school, start a new life; and neglected young people who run away from home, sleep rough and get sexually abused by strangers. Despite all they go through, they hang on to hope, they know a brighter future is possible. The Children’s Society are helping make this happen – please pray for their work.
I have several invitations for you this week. The first is to St Columba’s on Sunday, for our 10.30 service, which is followed by our Annual Meetings and then a cooked lunch. If you are planning on joining us for lunch, and you have not signed up in church or otherwise let us know, please do so by emailing ianpullinger@btinternet.com. All the details of the meetings are below, but please don’t think they are for other people, they are for everyone in the Church Family, which, of course, includes you.
The second invitation is to our next Alpha Course which will begin on Saturday 2nd May at 10.30am in church. This day and time seems to work for some people, and if that is you, and you are interested in exploring faith in Jesus, new to faith in Jesus, want to make sure you have strong foundations for your faith in Jesus, or want to bring someone else along so they can find out about faith in Jesus then do plan to be there. There is no need to book, although it will be helpful to know if you are coming so we can be sure to have enough, chairs, cups and croissants!
Mary Craig has also invited people to her belated birthday celebration for a bring and share lunch on Saturday (details below).
Details of all the upcoming events are as follows:
SUNDAY 26th APRIL 9am HOLY COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham. When you go to Rockingham for a Sunday morning service drive up to the post with the keypad and wait there for the gate to open. 10.30am MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people who will be preparing for next week’s All Age service so it would be great to have plenty of children there. 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/HCykfG3LQ5g?feature=share 6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s.
ST COLUMBA’S ANNUAL MEETING and LUNCH St Columba’s Annual Meeting will follow the service and coffee on Sunday and will take place in the Church Hall, and be followed by lunch. If you have not already signed up and would like to come to the lunch please email ianpullinger@btinternet.com to say that you will be coming and to let us know about any dietary requirements you have.
The meeting will be electing churchwardens, PCC members and Deanery Synod representatives, as well as hearing reports on the life of the church over the last year, and hearing from me about the coming year. I do encourage all those who are part of the St Columba’s family to come along and join in this time of reflection on what God has done through us, and what we hope He will do as we move forward with Him.
MARY CRAIG INVITES…you to join her for a belated Birthday Celebration Mary has invited us all to join her at 62 Sutherland Road, Corby, NN18 9LU for a Bring & Share Lunch on Saturday 25th April from 12noon to 5pm. Everyone is very warmly welcome.
SPRING HARVEST 2027 If you asked to be booked in to Spring Harvest next year, and have not yet paid your deposit please can you do so on Sunday if possible. Deposits are £35 for adults and £20 for children.
SATURDAY 2nd MAY 10.30am – Alpha in the Church – see above
SUNDAY 3rd MAY 10.30am ALL AGE WORSHIP at St Columba’s with lots of involvement by the children and young people. 6pm HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s
CHARITY OF THE WEEK: St Columba’s As it is our Annual Meeting on Sunday I thought it was a good opportunity to give thanks for our church and all those who serve it so faithfully in so many ways. This year we have much to give thanks for and I hope you will be able to think of some of those things in advance of our meeting on Sunday. I would especially like to thank our churchwardens, Janet Taylor who has driven through the Developments in the church and hall over recent years, culminating in the new toilet in the church (which may be open on Sunday but I’m not sure if the electrician has finished) and also John Lynch, who is stepping down as churchwarden but will still be on the PCC to offer his wise advice. Thank you John for everything you have done, especially all those little jobs that you quietly completed out of sight. We also need to look forward, and it is good that we have an Alpha course starting, as well as our next Wednesday course and, hopefully, a Holiday Club in the summer. Please pray for God’s continued blessing on our church as we move forward under Him.
Thank you to everyone who helped with Isobel’s funeral last Tuesday. It was a special occasion as we said goodbye to her and discovered more about her earlier life in Ireland, including picking up her grandchildren and their friends late at night! Isobel had clearly shared her faith with her family, and in doing so was an example to us all.
Those of you who use the church car park will notice that the holes have been filled in, so it now has a better surface than most of the local roads!! We need to thank All Weather Home Improvements who did this work free of charge. Anyone who needs work doing on their patio, paths, fences, turf, driveway, block paving, brickwork or cleaning of patios, driveways or roofs should contact them on 01536 507130 or 07775 782154.
I should also mention that our accessible toilet is just waiting for the electrics to be connected, which we hope will happen during next week.
Our next Alpha Course will be on Saturday mornings, starting on 2nd May. This may seem a strange time but for people working shifts it is useful, avoiding evenings when they are either at work or in bed ready for an early start. The course is open to everyone so if YOU are interested in exploring faith in Jesus, new to faith in Jesus, or want to make sure you have strong foundations for your faith in Jesus then do plan to come along. It is also a great opportunity to share faith with friends and family members so do invite them along to a relaxed meeting where questions are welcomed, and plan to come with them. More details next week.
For those who have done Alpha in the past there will be a new Wednesday Course happening soon.
Can I encourage you to come along to St Columba’s Annual Meeting on Sunday 26th April and to share in a cooked lunch afterwards. More details are below, but please do sign in if you are coming to the lunch.
Details of all the upcoming events are as follows:
SUNDAY 19th APRIL 10.30am HOLY COMMUNION 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/_ZxPqJKVSoE?feature=share 6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s
ST COLUMBA’S ANNUAL MEETING and LUNCH – 26th April 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 lunch. Please either email ianpullinger@btinternet.com or use the sign up sheet in church to say that you will be coming to the lunch and letting us know about any allergies you have.
The meeting will be electing churchwardens, PCC members and Deanery Synod representatives, as well as hearing reports on the life of the church over the last year, and hearing from me about our vision for the coming year. I do encourage all those who are part of the St Columba’s family to come along and join in this time of reflection on what God has done through us, and what we hope He will do as we move forward with Him.
SUNDAY 26th APRIL 9am HOLY COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham. When you go to Rockingham for a Sunday morning service drive up to the post with the keypad and wait there for the gate to open. 10.30am MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. After the service we have the ANNUAL MEETING and LUNCH in the Church Hall – see above. 6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s.
MARY CRAIG INVITES…you to join her for a belated Birthday Celebration Mary has invited us all to join her at 62 Sutherland Road, Corby, NN18 9LU for a Bring & Share Lunch next Saturday 25th April from 12noon to 5pm. Everyone is welcome. Mary is away this weekend, but if you would like more information please contact me.
CHARITY OF THE WEEK: World Vision World Vision has a long history of taking action that transforms the world. Their focus is on helping the most vulnerable children, in the most difficult places, overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. Together with supporters like us, they’ve partnered with millions of children and families to find a way out of poverty, and are often among the first to help when a crisis strikes. As a Christian charity, they help children – of all faiths and none – in some of the world’s most dangerous places. They believe it takes a whole community to create happy and fulfilling childhoods. And they work together with communities so they’re empowered to do just that. They have an integrated approach that includes water, healthcare, education, child protection and income generation, with the aim of allowing every child to fulfil their God-given potential. Across almost 100 countries, their impassioned community of supporters, volunteers and community leaders work together to transform children’s lives. Please remember World Vision in your prayers this week.
Finally thank you to everyone who responded to the invitation to fill the churches again last Sunday. Both St Columba’s and Rockingham had more people than usual which was such a blessing, let’s see if we can do it again tomorrow!
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!
I have recently returned home from our Hot Cross Bun Feast, where we had so many people we ran out of buns! We also saw the children act out a drama explaining the Old Testament sacrificial system, as an introduction to explaining the Cross. There is another drama on Sunday morning where we look in on the chief priests as they celebrate the death of Jesus, before their mood changes as news of his resurrection emerges!
I do encourage you to come to one of our services on Easter Day, either the Sunrise Service at Rockingham or the All Age Celebration with Communion at St Columba’s. I also encourage anyone who has not yet been to one of our Unseen Witnesses reflections to join us for the last one this evening at 7.30 in St Columba’s. It is so helpful taking a look at the familiar story of Jesus final days through the eyes of a less well known character. All the details are below.
Details of all the upcoming events are as follows:
UNSEEN WITNESSES To help us all reflect on the events of Holy Week we have a final reflection this evening and you are very welcome, it certainly does not matter if you have not been to any of the other reflections as each one is complete. This evening we are thinking about “Peter’s Accuser at the Fire” at 7.30pm
EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE at Rockingham * – Easter Day 5th April at 6.30am. This is always a very special time to gather, initially round a fire outside the church, before lighting candles and moving to the font, then into the church for a short sermon and Communion accompanied by Easter hymns.
* Access to Rockingham church is via the main entrance to Rockingham Castle. The gate will open as you approach if you stop level with the keypad, then drive down to the Castle Tower Gateway and park on the grass going down the hill to the right, then walk on down to the church. Do contact me if you need further directions.
EASTER DAY ALL AGE CELEBRATION with COMMUNION at St Columba’s – Sunday 5th April at 10.30am. This is the high point of the church year, the celebration of our Lord conquering death and opening the doors of heaven to all those who put their faith in Him. There will be singing, drama, shouting (the Easter greeting), a message about what Easter means today, and Communion, as we remember that the Lord did not only rise in history but is alive and with us today. This service will be available to watch on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/VhE0p-txxlg
SISTER ACT at the CUBE Next week (Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th April) is when the Rutland Musical Theatre are performing “Sister Act – The Musical” at the Cube, as previewed at St Columba’s in February. Tickets for evening performances at 7.30 and a Saturday matinee are available from Corby Cube.
SUNDAY 12th APRIL 10.30am MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. 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 say at the kiosk that you are going to church.
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.
ST COLUMBA’S ELECTORAL ROLL The Electoral Roll is our membership list and was completely updated last year. You can check if your name is on the Roll by looking at the list in church. If you are not on please complete a form, also at the back of church, by Easter Sunday. You will then be able to vote at the ANNUAL MEETING on Sunday 26th April.
SPRING HARVEST The second group from St Columba’s going to Spring Harvest leave for Minehead on Monday 6th April.
If you are not part of one of this group you can still join in with the Minehead week (6th – 10th April), either by buying a Spring Harvest Home ticket for £29.95 which gives you access to five days of worship, teaching, community, encouragement, and inspiration. You don’t even have to watch live, with a Spring Harvest Home ticket, you can catch up when it suits you and watch it all until the 10th May. To buy a ticket go to: https://ecevents.uk/shhm26/reg/Site/Register
If you don’t want access the whole week there is an opportunity to watch just one day from Minehead, Tuesday 7th April, for FREE! This will be on the Spring Harvest YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@SpringHarvest
PRAYER OF THE WEEK: Please continue to pray for Spring Harvest: for the teaching and worship, for adults, children and young people, to be a blessing to all those who go along;
for the teaching and worship, for adults, children and young people, to be a blessing to all those who go along;
give thanks for the first week at Skegness, attended by some people from St Columba’s, and pray for the second week at Minehead, and especially for good health and safe journeys, as well as good times of fellowship and teaching, for everyone going, especially the second group from St Columba’s;
also, give thanks for the Spring Harvest Bursary Fund and charitable giving from St Columba’s that has helped some people to attend;
and pray for those who will be watching at home, especially that the technology does not let them down.
Please do try and join us for our special Easter Day services – I look forward to seeing you there.
Hello everyone, I am delighted to report that we raised over £22,000 on our Gift Day last Saturday plus money that has come in since. THANK YOU so much if you made a contribution to that total, whether large or small we are grateful for all gifts. Please do give thanks to God for inspiring people to be generous, you may like to join us for the PRAYER MEETING on Sunday when we will be especially giving thanks for answers to our prayers for the day.
It is not too late to give if you have not yet done so, donations can either be brought to church and placed in the box, made on the Card Reader (please ask Justin or me to switch it to Gift Day rather than General Funds), or you can make a bank transfer (details were on the Notice sent out last week) using the reference GIFT DAY. All these gifts will enable us to proceed with our CHURCH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT to install an accessible toilet (do look at the progress that has been made with this next time you are in church), and also a servery and new heating in the church.
Thank you also to everyone who has been to the Discipleship Explored course over the last two months. There are different gatherings to reflect on the events of Holy Week during the next week (see below) and a new course will be starting after Easter. We are also hoping to run an ALPHA course after Easter, so if you, or someone you know, is interested in exploring what we believe, and why, do let me know or look out for more details.
Remembering Loved Ones
JEFF ISON’S CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE is in St Columba’s on Saturday 28th March at 1.30pm followed by refreshments in the Church Hall. Lynn says there is no dress code, come however you feel most comfortable.
ISOBEL WASSON’S funeral will be 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.
Details of all the upcoming events are as follows:
Sunday 29th March 10.30am – HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children who will be preparing for our special Easter services, the Hot Cross Bun Feast on Good Friday and Easter Day Celebration so it would be great to have a good number of children and young people. For those unable to be in church the service will be available on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/z2JEYRwep2A 6pm – PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s – everyone welcome.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES Please do try and attend as many of these special services as you can. There is a variety of different formats so hopefully something for everyone, but this is also a great opportunity to try something different.
UNSEEN WITNESSES To help us all set aside 45 minutes three times during the week to reflect on the events of Holy Week we have a series of reflections on less well known characters from the Passion narratives. You are welcome to all or any of the sessions, but please note the morning session is repeated in the evening of either the same or the following day 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 HOLY COMMUNION with Hand Washing at Rockingham * – 2nd April at 7pm
HOT CROSS BUN FEAST in St Columba’s Church Hall – Good Friday 3rd April at 10am
Also on Good Friday the Corby Churches will be gathering at 11am in the Town Centre (between McDonalds and Paletto Lounge) to celebrate the greatest act of love the world has ever known. Hear the story of Jesus’ journey to the Cross and join in singing accompanied by a live band.
EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE at Rockingham * – Easter Day 5th April at 6.30am. This is always a very special time to gather, initially round a fire outside the church, before lighting candles and moving to the font, 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 – Sunday 5th April at 10.30am
* Access to Rockingham church is via the main entrance to Rockingham Castle. The gate will open as you approach if you stop level with the keypad, then drive down to the Castle Tower Gateway and park on the grass going down the hill to the right, then walk on down to the church. Do contact me if you need further directions.
ST COLUMBA’S ELECTORAL ROLL The Electoral Roll is our membership list and was completely updated last year. You can check if your name is on the Roll by looking at the list in church. If you are not on please complete a form, also at the back of church, by Easter Sunday. You will then be able to vote at the ANNUAL MEETING on Sunday 26th April.
SPRING HARVEST There are two groups going to Spring Harvest from St Columba’s this year. The first will be leaving on Monday 30th March and going to Skegness, and the second going to Minehead on Monday 6th April.
If you are not part of one of those groups you can still join in with the Minehead week (6th – 10th April), either by buying a Spring Harvest Home ticket for £24.95 which gives you access to five days of worship, teaching, community, encouragement, and inspiration. Please note the price goes up to £29.95 on 30th March. You don’t even have to watch live, with a Spring Harvest Home ticket, you can catch up when it suits you and watch it all until the 10th May. To buy a ticket go to: https://ecevents.uk/shhm26/reg/Site/Register
If you don’t want access the whole week there is an opportunity to watch just one day from Minehead, Tuesday 7th April, for FREE! This will be on the Spring Harvest YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@SpringHarvest
PRAYER OF THE WEEK: This week I would like you to pray for Spring Harvest:
for the teaching and worship, for adults, children and young people, to be a blessing to all those who go along;
for the two groups going from St Columba’s to have safe journeys and good times of fellowship;
also, give thanks for the Spring Harvest Bursary Fund and charitable giving from St Columba’s that has helped some people to attend;
and pray for those who will be watching at home, especially that the technology does not let them down. Please do try and join us for the special services happening during Holy Week – I hope to see you there.
I am sending this email out on Friday to remind you that it is our PRAYER & GIFT DAY on Saturday. You are welcome to come to church at any time between 9am and 3pm, to pray, to bring your gift, or simply to see the work that has been completed so far. All the details of the PRAYER & GIFT DAY are below, and, even if you are not able to attend, can I encourage you to consider making a donation to our CHURCH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT to install not only an accessible toilet but a servery and new heating in the church. Details of how to do so by bank transfer are on the Notice, or you can bring your gift to church on Sunday. Please do pray, both about what you might contribute and for us to be blessed by the PRAYER & GIFT DAY.
It was great to have a full church, lots of children, and some wonderful puppet sketches for our MOTHERING SUNDAY service last Sunday. Thank you to everyone who was involved, and especially to Val Berridge who provided the flowers that were given out to Mums in church. It would be great if all those children were able to join us for ENERGIZE in church on Sunday, more details below.
Remembering Loved Ones I shared with you a couple of weeks ago that ISOBEL WASSON had died. Arrangements have now been made for her funeral which will be 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.
I have also heard this week the news that JEFF ISON lost his battle with cancer and died last weekend. I am pleased to say there will be a CELEBRATION OF JEFF’S LIFE in St Columba’s on Saturday 28th March at 1.30pm (please note the slightly later time than some people may have heard) followed by refreshments in the Church Hall. Please could I have some volunteers to help set up the Hall (tables and chairs not food) at 11.30 on Saturday? There is a small window of opportunity between groups, so the more help the quicker and easier the task will be. If you can help please email ianpullinger@btinternet.com or let me know on Sunday – thank you.
Details of all the upcoming events are as follows:
GIFT DAY – Saturday 21st March 9am – 3pm
The plan for the day: 9am: Time to pray together in church – you are welcome to join this time of prayer before making your GIFT to the CHURCH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. 9am – 12noon: Opportunity for you to come to church to pray quietly for the Project and to make your donation (see below) 12noon: Time to pray together in church – you are welcome to join this time of prayer 12noon – 3pm: Opportunity for you to come to church to pray quietly for the Project and to make your donation (see below) 3pm: Time to pray together in church – you are welcome to join this time of prayer and thanksgiving for all that has been contributed during the day.
How to Donate: In these days of online banking it is likely that many of you will want to make a bank transfer, and details of how to do that are on the Notice (which is also available in church). If you are doing that there will be an anonymous PLEDGE that you can write the amount of your donation on, just so that we have an idea how the Day has gone. You will also be able to give via the Card Reader, by cheque or in cash at the GIFT DAY. Of course, you do not have to attend the GIFT DAY to give, contributions can be made by bank transfer at any time, just use GIFT DAY as the reference, or brought to church, where there will be a separate offering box for GIFT DAY donations on Sunday and at other times just place your donation in an envelope marked GIFT DAY. All donations are welcome however and whenever they are given. Having said that, we believe that coming into the church where the project will be happening, asking God to guide you about how much to give, dedicating your gift to the Lord’s work, and giving thanks to the Lord for gifts given, will bring God’s blessing on the GIFT DAY and on the CHURCH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
Gift Aid The Notice explains how people can add an extra 25p to every £1 they give by making use of GIFT AID. This allows the church to claim back the INCOME TAX you have paid on your donation. This means that if you donate £100 it will be worth £125 to us. If you have any questions about GIFT AID please do speak with our Treasurer, Justin Dyche, or myself at the Gift Day or on Sunday, or ask a professional tax advisor.
Sunday 22nd March 9am – HOLY COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham 10.30am – MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. This will be the last regular session this term, as next week will be another All Age Prep so it would be great to see lots of children there. The service will be available to watch on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/zyGVTV7Lf18?feature=share 6pm – PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s – everyone welcome.
DISCIPLESHIP EXPLORED The Discipleship Explored course reaches its conclusion on Wednesday 25th March at 10.30am and 7.30pm. We will look at the homework from last week, before watching the final video and discussing questions in small groups. The morning meeting will be in the Church Hall and the evening meeting in church as usual. Please read the details below of opportunities to gather the following week (Holy Week) not only on Wednesday morning and evening but other days as well.
Sunday 29th March 10.30am – HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children who will be preparing for our special Easter services, the Hot Cross Bun Feast on Good Friday and Easter Day Celebration. 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 Holy Communion with Hand Washing 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 I would like you to pray for our local schools. This is because during the next week I will be visiting Rockingham Primary School, Studfall Infants and Juniors, Woodnewton learning community and Lodge Park Academy. In all of these schools I have the opportunity to explain what Easter means, so please ask the Lord to give me the words to say and to give listening ears and hearts to the children, young people and staff. Please also pray for all students who are preparing for exams after Easter, including some of our young people taking A levels and others preparing for Year 6 SATS.
Thank you for your prayers and I hope to see you in church, at the GIFT DAY or at one of our Sunday services.
It is exciting to report that work on our new accessible toilet in church has begun! The walls of the new toilet are taking shape and the water supply has been installed, which explains why it looks as if a giant mole has moved across the church lawn! This makes our GIFT DAY on Saturday 21st March very timely, because the more money we receive on GIFT DAY the more work we can do. All the details of GIFT DAY are below, but can I encourage everyone reading this to consider if they could make a donation to our CHURCH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT to install not only an accessible toilet but a servery and new heating in the church. Please be praying now about what you might contribute to the GIFT DAY.
Before that we have our special MOTHERING SUNDAY service at St Columba’s at 10.30am on Sunday and everyone is very welcome, not only mums. The children have several contributions to make in the service and, just to remind parents, there is an extra rehearsal in church from 4 to 5pm today, Saturday 15th March. More details about the service are below.
There is no news yet about a date for Isobel Wasson’s funeral, but I will make sure people know in good time when it is arranged.
Details of all the upcoming events are as follows:
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. This service will be available to watch on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/w9hpZ6sl8AU?feature=share 6pm – Prayer Meeting at St Columba’s – everyone welcome.
DISCIPLESHIP EXPLORED The Discipleship Explored course has two weeks to go, with meetings on Wednesdays 18th and 25th 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 likely that the work on the new toilet will mean moving to the Church Hall on Wednesday mornings as we did last week. The evening group will be in church as usual.
GIFT DAY – Saturday 21st March 9am – 3pm
The plan for the day: 9am: Time to pray together in church – everyone is welcome to join this time of prayer before making their GIFT to the CHURCH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. 9am – 12noon: Opportunity for you to come to church to pray quietly for the Project and to make your donation (see below) 12noon: Time to pray together in church – everyone is welcome to join this time of prayer 12noon – 3pm: Opportunity for you to come to church to pray quietly for the Project and to make your donation (see below) 3pm: Time to pray together in church – everyone is welcome to join this time of prayer and thanksgiving for all that has been contributed during the day.
How to Donate: In these days of online banking it is likely that many of you will want to make a bank transfer, and details of how to do that are on the Notice (which is also available in church). If you are doing that there will be an anonymous PLEDGE that you can write the amount of your donation on, just so that we have an idea how the Day has gone. You will also be able to give via the Card Reader, by cheque or in cash at the GIFT DAY. Of course, you do not have to attend the GIFT DAY to give, and all donations are welcome however and whenever they are given. Having said that, we believe that coming into the church where the project will be happening, asking God to guide you about how much to give, dedicating your gift to the Lord’s work, and giving thanks to the Lord for gifts given, will bring God’s blessing on the GIFT DAY and on the CHURCH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
Gift Aid The Notice explains how people can add an extra 25p to every £1 they give by making use of GIFT AID. This allows the church to claim back the INCOME TAX you have paid on your donation. This means that if you donate £100 it will be worth £125 to us. You need to have paid as much INCOME TAX, on wages, salary, pension or savings, as the church, and any other charities you have given to with GIFT AID, have claimed. As a guide, if you multiply the amount of INCOME TAX paid this year (found on your payslip or similar) by 4 this will give you the maximum amount you can donate with GIFT AID in one tax year. Just to be clear this is ALL GIFT AID donations, to the Gift Day, General Church Funds and any other charities you support. 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.
Sunday 22nd March 9am Holy Communion at St Leonard’s, Rockingham 10.30am Morning Worship at St Columba’s 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 Holy Communion with Hand Washing 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 it seemed appropriate that we should focus our prayers on the GIFT DAY and CHURCH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. Please give thanks that the work has begun and pray for the contractors who are working in and around the church, asking that God may speak to them. Give thanks too that we have the funds for this first phase of the work to install the accessible toilet, and for those who have given generously in the past to provide these funds. Please pray about your response to the Project, asking the Lord to suggest the amount you should give, and as you do this remember the WOW of giving that we thought about last year, however much you give to God you will never find yourself short of money! Please give thanks for all those who will be making contributions, small and large, to the Project, and for the government allowing us to claim back Income Tax on those donations through Gift Aid. And finally, pray that the amount raised will enable us to complete all the work we would like to do, and more, thanks to our generous God.
Thank you for your prayers and I hope to see you in church, on Mothering Sunday and for the GIFT DAY.
