This Week's News: 26th April 2026

Sunday 26th April - Fourth Sunday of Easter

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

What's On This Week

Tuesday 28th April

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

Wednesday 29th April

• 10.30am Midweek Communion, followed by refreshments

Sunday 3rd May

• 8.30–9am Holy Communion – a quiet reflective service without hymns
• 10–11am All Age Communion, followed by refreshments

Pattern of Sunday Services – Changes from Next Sunday

In Lent we trialled two changes to our pattern of Sunday services: a weekly 8.30am said service, and a non-eucharistic format for All Age Services on the first Sunday of the month. After reflection and discussion with the PCC, we have decided on the following from next Sunday onwards.

8.30am service - this will continue, but on the first Sunday of the month only. Several people asked for it to remain, and it works well for those who would prefer a quieter alternative to the All Age Service.

All Age Services - we are returning to a Eucharist. Many people said the Eucharist felt missing, and that it's central to who we are as a congregation. Our All Age Eucharist on Easter Day felt like the fullest expression of our life of worship together.

Electoral Roll - Final Reminder

Forms need to be returned today, 25th April. If you're not already on the electoral roll, please fill out our online form or pick one up at the back of church. Being on the roll means you can vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 10th May, and we'll have your details on file if you're ever unwell or in hospital.

Parish Lunch – Today, 12pm at The Chieftain

Join us for lunch at The Chieftain after the service this morning - a relaxed opportunity to spend time together and get to know one another better. Everyone is warmly welcome. If you'd like a lift or can offer one, please have a word with Caroline.

Fellowship Groups – Bible Course continuing

Our Fellowship Groups continue this term, going through the Bible Course produced by the Bible Society. We're running two groups in Ryan's office at church.

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

Wednesdays, 7.30–9pm: 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.

Caring For Our Neighbours

Clothes for Creswick Primary School

Not every family can easily afford school uniform, and the cost of replacing worn-out shoes or a lost coat can be a real pressure. Creswick, our local primary school, keeps a stock of good second-hand items to offer families who need them, and we want to support that by collecting clothes for them.

This will be an ongoing collection, so please keep us in mind whenever you're having a clear-out or browsing a charity shop. To save the school having to sort through things they can't use, we can only accept the following:

• Coats (ages 5–11)
• Black school shoes (up to size 5)
• Navy PE shorts (ages 5–11)
• Trainers for PE (up to size 5)
• Socks and underwear (ages 5–11)

Items should be clean and in good condition. Anything outside these criteria will be gratefully returned to you to find a good home elsewhere.

Bring donations on a Sunday and hand them to Ryan or one of the churchwardens, who will deliver them to the school.

Helping to Feed our Neighbours

For a growing number of families in our area, putting food on the table is a genuine struggle. New Zion Christian Fellowship's foodbank is one practical way we can help, and your donations make a real difference.

The foodbank is open every Wednesday 9–11am. To donate, please drop off items from 9am on Wednesdays at 140 Cole Green Lane AL7 3JE, or leave them at the foodbank point at the back of church. Items particularly needed at the moment include long life milk, cereals, tinned meat, cleaning products, toiletries, and 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:

Gareth, 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:

Elizabeth.

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.