This Week's News: 22nd March 2026

Sunday 22nd March - Lent 5

• 8.30am Holy Communion – a quiet service without hymns (Lady Chapel)
• 10–11am Holy Communion with Junior Church, followed by refreshments

What's On This Week

Tuesday 24th March

• 11am–1pm Mary and Isabel's Compassionate Cafe at the Parish Centre Hall Grove. All are welcome.

Wednesday 27th March

• 10.30am Midweek Communion, followed by refreshments

Thursday 28th March

• 7.30–9pm Fellowship Group, meeting in Ryan's office in church. See below for details.

Sunday 29th March – Palm Sunday

• 8.30am Holy Communion – a quiet service without hymns
• Holy Communion with Junior Church, followed by refreshments

Holy Week & Easter Services in Church

Maundy Thursday – 2nd April, 7.30pm Eucharist of the Last Supper with Washing of Feet and Watch in the Garden of Remembrance.

Good Friday – 3rd April, 2–3pm Liturgy of the Passion.

Holy Saturday – 4th April, 8–9pm Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter, with baptism.

Easter Sunday – 5th April, 10–11am All Age Communion with baptism, followed by refreshments and Easter Egg Hunt.

Easter Day Egg Hunt – Sunday 5th April, 11.30am

We are inviting our local community to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt after our 10am Easter Day service on 5th April. Please do stick around after the Easter Day service to welcome people into the church and join in the Easter Egg Hunt! Invite your family, friends and neighbours. Feel free to take away flyers at the back of church to hand out to others.

Parish Lunch – Sunday 29th March, 12pm at The Chieftain

Join us for lunch at The Chieftain after the service on the last Sunday of the month - a relaxed opportunity to spend time together and get to know one another better. Everyone is warmly welcome. To sign up, add your name to the sheet at the back of church. 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.

Lent Fellowship Groups – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7.30–9pm

Tuesday Group, 7.30–9pm - Rowan Williams' Being Disciples:

• 31 Mar – Chapter 5: Faith in Society – Ryan's office in church

Beware of Email Scams!

Sadly there is an increase of email scams targeting members of church congregations. If you receive an email that appears to be from Ryan or anyone else in the church asking you to buy them a gift card, please don't do it because it will be a scam.

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, Tyler, 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:

Theres.

For the growth of St Mary Magdalene Church