Please see the What’s on page for recent posts about church life.
WARDEN’S MESSAGES
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BUSINESS AS USUAL
We would be most grateful if all members of the congregation could make it clear to those who visit us occasionally that even though we don’t currently have a Vicar we are still functioning. Visiting Horsham clergy are taking our services and the pattern is as usual:
1st & 3rd Sundays – Informal Family Communion
2nd & 4th Sundays – Sung Eucharist
It seems that some are thinking there is nothing going on at St Leonard’s. Nothing could be further from the truth!
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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
The great mystery of Christian life is not unanswered prayer, it’s unfinished prayer. Prayer that quits before the answer arrives is like a mansion carefully constructed, almost furnished, and then abandoned.
For more, see www.net-burst.net/pray/prayer.htm Prayer Motivation
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ECO CHURCH – Anyone interested?
To find out more about Eco Church and share ideas see the diary page Thursday 27th February 2020.
PERSONNEL NEEDED
- We need more people to volunteer to be Sidespeople. We can just about cover Sundays but there are no “spares”.
- There are 2 vacancies on the DCC. If anyone wants to volunteer to help make decisions and join in with the running of St Leonard’s Church they would be most welcome. Talk to Margaret.
- From 1st December onwards we need somebody to be responsible for making sure the church is shut and locked after Sunday services. It need not be the same person every week – it’s a job that can be shared around.
- It would also be useful to have more people willing to count money on Sundays and/or make/serve coffee. Too many of those that do count are also coffee-makers and they can’t be in two places at once!
- It would also be good if somebody would like to train to do sacristan’s duties. You would be needed one Sunday a month to put out the Communion things and to clear up afterwards – it does involve being here early though!
BIRTHDAY BOOK
If your name is not in our birthday book you won’t get a card – because we won’t know about it! Please speak to Val if you would like to be included – no need to reveal your age!
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BIRTHDAY & OCCASIONAL CARDS
Please don’t forget that we have a selection of lovely cards for birthdays and other occasions – all hand-made, very reasonable – £1 donation per card (50p for the small ones) which goes to help support BEATS. We will be putting them out on the 4th & 1st Sundays of each month but you can ask Val or Margaret at other times. Why not check your diaries each month and buy in advance!
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HORSHAM ROTARY PANCAKE RACE – THURSDAY 20th FEBRUARY 12 NOON-2 PM, CARFAX
A cast team from ONE Good Friday will be taking part in this year’s Pancake Race to promote the Horsham Passion Play. Do come along and support them!
LOOKING AHEAD – WHOLE PARISH AND WIDER EVENTS
ONE GOOD FRIDAY 2020 – HORSHAM PASSION PLAY (10th APRIL 2020)
The One Good Friday 2020 – Horsham Passion Play will be performed in Horsham Carfax on Friday 10th April 2020 at 12 noon and 3.15 pm, with the permission of Wintershall. This is a Horsham Churches Together project which needs volunteers from across the churches and the community.
Cast needed
- Justinius – can ride a horse, preferably with some acting experience to deliver lines, soldier build, can deliver authority
- Non-speaking roles:
- Disciples x3 male, any age, ethnicity,
- Temple Guards x2 – male, 18 – 60yrs oversee the temple and involved in fight scene
- Soldiers x2 – male, 18 – 50yrs, strong enough to help hoist men on crosses and be involved in helping with crowd control, also fight scene
- Barabbas – (and crowd member) – male – rough looking -preferably with beard
- To volunteer – details in the newsletter
Stewards needed
Please consider stewarding on Good Friday at the Horsham Passion Play performances, and other locations around Horsham town centre. A briefing will be provided. Details in the newsletter.
Donations needed
Please prayerfully consider making a donation to help cover the costs of putting on the Horsham Passion Play. Details in the newsletter.
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CHICHESTER DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING WEBSITE
Please have a look at this – it gives a lot of useful information
www.Safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org
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BREXIT STRESS
Everyone is welcome to come and pray in the ‘Brexit stress chapel’ at St Mary’s. It includes interactive prayer stations and a map of the UK which churchgoers can stick plasters onto, to help ‘pray for healing’. The room is open daily from 9am-12pm. Any questions, ask the curate at St Mary’s.
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HORSHAM MATTERS AND HORSHAM DISTRICT FOOD BANK COMMUNITY MEAL
The Community Meal will take place at 12:30pm every first Tuesday of the month at St Andrews and every third Thursday at the Christian Life Centre. Come and enjoy a two-course hot meal and conversation! Please note that the correct address for CLC is 51a East Street, not 51 as stated on the flyer.
HORSHAM MATTERS WINTER FUEL APPEAL
Horsham Matters support Horsham Residents experiencing fuel poverty with gas and electric vouchers. As with previous years they are raising funds for this much needed relief. If you have received your Winter Fuel Allowance and perhaps feel that you would like to donate some or all of this amount then please send a cheque payable to Horsham Matters Ltd or take a look at their new website with Just Giving information. Please state with your payments that you wish for it to go towards the fuel poverty fund:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/endfuelpoverty
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HORSHAM CLIMATE CAFÉ – 1ST SATURDAY EVERY MONTH 2-4PM @ HORSHAM QUAKER MEETING HOUSE, WORTHING RD, HORSHAM, RH12 1SL
A relaxed & friendly gathering of local people, sharing ideas, climate change problems, solutions & action, includes a youth forum. Energy advise and switching to renewable clean energy service available. 2 hours or drop in for a chat, drink and homemade cake. See the website www.horshamrepaircafe.org.uk for more details.
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YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP
Could you make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable young people?
YMCA DownsLink Group host a weekly Chaplaincy evening at the Horsham Y Centre, run by our volunteer chaplains who prepare a hot meal – from fish and chips to shepherd’s pie – and sit and eat around the table with the residents of the Y Centre. They listen, they converse with and generally support the residents by being there, during this one opportunity to sit together and eat. It provides a homely and safe space that is hugely appreciated by the young people and the staff.
Could you be a volunteer chaplain and add real value to the work we do? We are looking for people of faith who are kind, good listeners, non-judgemental, with a sense of humour and a love of young people. You would work in a small team, preparing a meal together, and you will have training and support. Chaplaincy takes place on Thursday evenings 7.30pm to 9.30pm and we would ask for a commitment of one evening every 2-3 weeks. If this sounds like something you can offer, or you’d like to find out more, contact Samantha, West Sussex YMCA Chaplain, details in the 20th October newsletter.
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