Thanks to all those who prepared the daffodils for
Mothering Sunday, it was appreciated by many.
Help Needed to set up the Church Hall on Saturday 5 April
Help is needed to set up for the Bring and Share Lunch. We need some volunteers to help set up the chairs and tables in the Church Hall this Saturday (5 April) at 4pm ahead of the Bring and Share following the APCM this Sunday. If you are able to help this Saturday at 4pm for 30 mins please email Revd Mike and he will acknowledge your offer. revd.mike@stmaryswistaston.org.uk
Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) 2025
Our APCM is this Sunday 6 April in St Mary’s at 12 noon followed by a Bring ‘n’ Share lunch.
We will be appointing 2 Wardens and electing 5 PCC Members. If you are interested in standing all the forms needed are available at both churches. Please speak to Revd Mike if you’d like further information.
The Trustees’ Report and Financial Statement for 2024 are available in the porch at both churches and online here.
Lent Groups
Lent Groups conclude this week – Tuesdays at 7:30pm at The Rectory & Fridays at 10am at St Luke’s. You are welcome to any or all of the sessions. All material supplied, please bring a Bible.
Lent Soup Lunches
A big thank you to Chris and Mike Horne, who provided the wonderful Lent Lunches this year. £150 was raised on Wednesday and was enjoyed by all!
Help needed to decorate St Mary’s for Easter Sunday
Hilary has asked for helpers to decorate St Mary’s with flowers ready for Easter Sunday. If you would like to help, please be at St Mary’s on Saturday 19 April at 10am. Any time given would be appreciated, no experience necessary, just a willingness to help. Please either just come or let Hilary know in advance.
Holy Week & Easter at our churches
Also on Easter Saturday in Crewe hosted by Love Crewe
There will be not be a Good Friday Walk of Witness this year, however, there will be an Easter Saturday Celebration
Women Ignited Together
Crafty Cream Tea in the Church Hall on Saturday 26 April 3:30pm-5pm.The Passion by Lamps on Friday 11 April 7:30pm Union St Baptist Church (£8). Please see Clare Shackleton for more info and booking for both events.
Christian Aid News and Information
From Sarah Rhodes our Christian Aid rep:
Christian Aid celebrates its 80th anniversary this year having been set up after the end of World War II.
Advanced notice, Christian Aid Week is Sunday 11th to Saturday 17th May. Please consider if you could join the team delivering collection envelopes to the houses on the streets St Mary’s covers.
Christian Aid has a focus country each year to explain more about their work. This year is Guatemala in South America. It is a very small country whose population is very dependent on agriculture. Christian Aid provides support in one way through an agricultural school gathering and sharing indigenous peoples knowledge. Christian Aid supports families to learn new techniques, for example, in rainwater harvesting and setting up micro businesses.
Christian Aid Sponsored Swim
Many thanks to all our swimmers and to those who sponsored them, around £600 was raised. Well done everyone!
Save the date: Messy Church
Messy Church Saturday 10 May at 2:30pm in the Church Hall. Messy church is a form of church for everyone that involves creativity, celebration and hospitality. Expect activities, songs and prayers and an entirely new way to express your faith. More information about Messy Church can be found here: https://www.messychurch.brf.org.uk/
Ladies Afternoon Group News
Thanks to everyone who joined us for the Lent Service and also for your contribution towards the Raffle for `Her Story` (previously Motherwell). Looking forward to seeing you all on Thursday 24th April at the Tea Lounge, Nantwich Football Club 12 for 12.30pm. Thank you Frances.
Choir Vestry Repairs
The Dry Rot repairs in the Choir Vestry will cost in the region of £19,000 to repair. However, add to this roof repairs, plastering, painting and professional fees, the whole project could be in the region of £30,000. If you would like to pledge a donation towards this project please let Revd Mike know.
Church Office
Please note that the office will be closed on Thursday 3 April and reopen on Tuesday 15 April. However, the office will be open both Friday 4 April (8-11am) and 11 April 9.30-12.30pm. Thank you.
Food Bank Update
Food Bank update From January to March 632 people received a crisis food parcel, representing 316 households. With Easter nearly upon us it would be great if you could consider collecting some food items for the foodbank. Tinned items meats, tomatoes, fruit, potatoes, rice puddings also Rice, UHT milk. Every item donated makes a difference. Thank you for your continued support.
Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer, 9:30am on Zoom: bit.ly/930mp on Tuesday & Thursday this week.
There is the Church of England Daily Prayer at bit.ly/cofeprayer and Daily Prayer app – search your device’s App Store to find it and Daily Hope: a free phone line of hymns, reflections and prayers you can call at any time on 0800 804 8044.
Her-Place Period Poverty Collection Point
You may have seen this in the porch of the Church Hall, in it you can donate period products as well as other young girl’s and women’s hygiene products. Thanks in advance.
Chester Diocese Website
Chester Diocesan website (chester.anglican.org) is well worth a visit to find out what’s happening around the diocese including news and events.
Online Service Resources
Service Orders at St Mary’s can be viewed/downloaded at bit.ly/serviceorders.
The Weekly Sheet is available at the top of this Blog page. We will continue have printed Weekly Sheets available, but if you can do it electronically, it means we can print less and not throw as much away.
Easyfundraising
Thanks to all who support us this way, it costs you nothing, please consider using it for online and click and collect, visit here for more info: bit.ly/stmaryseasyfundraising
Giving
Our church relies upon personal giving to keep going. To give quickly & securely online click here or scan the QR Code below or Click Here to see all the ways you can support the church financially.
