This Week's News: 8th February 2026

Sunday 8th February - Second Sunday Before Lent

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

What's On This Week

Tuesday 10th February

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

Wednesday 11th February

• 10.30am Midweek Communion, followed by refreshments

Sunday 15th February

• 8.30am Holy Communion – a quiet service without hymns
• 10am Holy Communion with Junior Church, followed by refreshments
• 11.30am Pancake Race

Pancake Race – Sunday 15th February, 11.30am

On the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday we are inviting our local community to join us for a pancake race after church. We'll be providing the pancakes, the pans and prizes for the winners. Please support this event by coming along and joining in – it would be lovely if the church could field a couple of teams. Please also invite your friends and acquaintances in the community.

Parish Lunch – Sunday 22nd February, 12pm at The Chieftain

On the last Sunday of each month we will have a parish lunch at The Chieftain after church, to give us a chance to deepen our relationships with each other. You are most welcome to join us.

• If you can offer a lift or would like one, please speak to Caroline, Ann or Nick.
• To indicate interest, sign up on the sheet at the back of church – there's no obligation to come.
• The menu is available at the back of church.

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

During Lent we're trying something a little different: two weekly fellowship groups as an alternative to a traditional Lent course. Each evening will include time to catch up, share our lives, pray together, and explore the Christian faith. As part of these gatherings, we will read and discuss short extracts from a book. You don't need to prepare in advance, but you're welcome to read the chapter beforehand if you'd like.

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

• 24 Feb – Chapter 1: Being Disciples
• 3 Mar – Chapter 2: Faith, Hope and Love
• 10 Mar – Chapter 3: Forgiveness
• 17 Mar – Chapter 4: Holiness
• 31 Mar – Chapter 5: Faith in Society

Location will vary and will be confirmed shortly.

Thursday Group, 7.30–9pm - we'll discuss Rowan Williams' Being Christian and Being Disciples:

• 26 Feb – Being Christian, Chapter 1: Baptism
• 5 Mar – Being Christian, Chapter 2: Bible
• 12 Mar – Being Christian, Chapter 3: Eucharist
• 19 Mar – Being Christian, Chapter 4: Prayer
• 26 Mar – Being Disciples, Chapter 1: Being Disciples

We will meet in Ryan's office in church.

To join, please add your name to the sign-up sheet at the back of church, speak to Ryan, or email ryan@st-mary-magdalene.org.uk.

New Sunday Service: Holy Communion – 8.30–9am

Until the end of Lent we are trialling a new service on Sunday mornings: Holy Communion without hymns, with lots of space for stillness and reflection on the presence of God among us. 8.30–9am, Sunday mornings in the Lady Chapel.

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:

Brian, June, Heather, Martin, Penny, Craig, Peter, Anna, Azizeh, Victoria, Naomi, and Lorna.

Those who have died in recent weeks:

Mark and Pamela.

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.