This Week's News: 19th April 2026

Sunday 19th April - Third Sunday of Easter

• 10–11am Holy Communion with Junior Church, followed by refreshments

What's On This Week

Tuesday 21st April

• 11am–1pm Mary and Isabel's Compassionate Cafe at the Parish Centre Hall Grove. All are welcome.
• 7.30–9pm Fellowship Group, meeting in Ryan's office in church. See below for details.

Wednesday 22nd April

• 10.30am Midweek Communion, followed by refreshments
• 7.30–9pm Fellowship Group, meeting in Ryan's office in church. See below for details.

Sunday 26th April

• 10–11am Holy Communion with Junior Church, followed by refreshments
• 12pm Parish Lunch at The Chieftain

Electoral Roll - Annual Update

If you're not already on the electoral roll, now is a good time to join. Being on the roll means you've made a commitment to be a member of this church community, and can vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 10th May. It also means we have your details on file, so we can reach out if you're ever unwell or in hospital.

To add your name, please fill out our online form or pick one up at the back of church. Forms need to be returned by 25th April.

Parish Lunch – Sunday 26th April, 12pm at The Chieftain

Join us for lunch at The Chieftain after the service on the last Sunday of each month - a relaxed opportunity to spend time together and get to know one another better. Everyone is warmly welcome.

To sign up, please add your name to the sheet at the back of church. There's no obligation to attend, but please note that if more than 15 people sign up we'll need to pre-order meals - and those who pre-order will be asked to commit to paying for theirs. If you'd like a lift or can offer one, please have a word with Caroline.

Fellowship Groups – Begin This Week

Our Fellowship Groups continue this term, going through the Bible Course, produced by the Bible Society. The course takes you through the whole of Scripture as a single connected story - from Genesis to Revelation - and works equally well whether you're new to the Bible or have been reading it for years.

We're running two groups, both meeting in Ryan's office at church. The groups work best when the same people journey through it together - please join one rather than attending different ones week to week.

Tuesdays, 7.30–9pm: 21 Apr, 5 May, 19 May, 2 Jun, 16 Jun, 30 Jun, 14 Jul and 21 Jul.

Wednesdays, 7.30–9pm: 22 Apr, 6 May, 20 May, 3 Jun, 17 Jun, 1 Jul, 15 Jul and 22 Jul.

To join, please speak to Ryan or email ryan@st-mary-magdalene.org.uk.

New CD from Paul Gateshill – 'Time and Tide'

Paul Gateshill has just produced a new CD called Time and Tide. You can listen to it on Spotify and YouTube. If you'd like to purchase a copy for £10, Paul will donate £5 to church funds! See Paul if you'd like a copy.

Foodbank Donations

New Zion Christian Fellowship food bank is open every Wednesday 9-11am. You may drop items in from 8am on Wednesdays at 140 Cole Green Lane AL7 3JE. Please use the food bank based at the back of church if you wish to give items.

Items that are particularly in need currently are:

• Long life milk
• Cereals
• Variety of tinned meat (meatballs, hotdogs, chicken curry or chicken in white sauce)
• Cleaning products
• Toiletries including sanitary products

For Your Prayers...

• For peace in the Holy Land.
• For Mary and Isabel's Compassionate Cafe, and Isabel Hospice as we work in partnership together.
• For all refugees and those fleeing their homes, especially those now living in our parish. For those persecuted for their faith. For refugees facing homelessness after receiving permission to reside in the UK.
• For people in Iran, for their protection and freedom.
• For growth in the mission, ministry and worship of St Mary Magdalene Church.

Those who are unwell:

Mehrangiz, Jean, Sam, Brett, Daisy, Noah, Martin, Brian, June, Heather, Penny, Craig, Peter, Anna, Azizeh, Victoria, Naomi, and Lorna.

Those who have died in recent weeks:

Tyler.

For the growth of St Mary Magdalene Church

God of Mission, Who alone brings growth to your Church of St Mary Magdalene, Send your Holy Spirit to give Vision to our planning, Wisdom to our actions, And power to our witness. Help our church to grow in numbers, In spiritual commitment to you, And in service to our local community, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

If you would like to request that we pray as a church for someone known to you, please first make every attempt to ensure that they would like to be prayed for by those at St Mary Magdalene. We will be conducting a monthly review of our Prayer List. If there is anyone who should come off the list or go on the list, please notify the churchwardens, Nick and Godfrey.