March 2022 Link

Priest Who do I contact? Calls to the in Charge c/o Rev Simon Parish Office Parish Office Holy Trinity, are monitored St Barnabas, Bickersteth 01228 & St Luke’s (Rural Dean) 538983 regularly Readers Local Lay Richard Stewart Ruby Morlin Geoff Brown Minister Maria (Outreach & Holmes Authorised Gemma Mission) Lay Minister McManus Angela & John (Safeguarding) Enquiries Hewitt (Pastoral) For 01228 & PCC 536574 Secretary St Barnabas Enquiries Yvonne about Swainson (Safeguarding) Foodbank Lead) Link Alison alisonosayer (also Electoral Roll Magazine Sayer @btinternet.com HT & StB) Donations are always very welcome Don’t forget to Gift Aid if you pay tax as we can reclaim an extra 25% We also have Contactless machines for both churches 01228 538983 for the Parish Office Vestry Hour: IS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED Mondays 6-7pm to arrange Baptisms, Weddings or for General requests. Contact the Parish Office . Information can be checked on www.achurchnearyou.com 2

What’s going on? Sundays; Services will be at St Barnabas at 10am and at St Luke’s at 10.30am We are now able to sing and respond while wearing masks for a few more weeks. Holy Communion is usually taken in one kind only, although some priests may also give the wine by “intinction” (bread is dipped.) Sunday 27th February 10am Service of the Word at St Barnabas Sunday 6th March: 10am at St Barnabas : Holy Communion Services restart at St Luke’s at 10.30am in the Hall at first as there are heating problems in the Church. Morning Worship : Nina Orchard Luke 4:1-13 We look forward to welcoming people back to St Luke’s for worship Sunday 13th March: 10am St Barnabas: Café Church 10.30am St Luke’s: Morning Worship : Barrie Thomas Luke 13:31-35 Sunday 20th March: 10am St Barnabas: Service of the Word 10.30am St Luke’s: Holy Communion : Simon Bickersteth Luke 13:1-9 Sunday 27th March : 10am St Barnabas: Holy Communion Mothering Sunday 10.30am St Luke’s: Morning Worship : Maria Holmes Luke 2:33-35 or John 19:25-27 Sunday 3rd April: 10am St Barnabas: Holy Communion? 10.30am St Luke’s: Morning Worship : St Michael’s : John 12:1-8 (St Luke’s APCM- Tuesday 5th April at 7pm ) There are children’s areas at the front and back of both churches. Wednesday morning Holy Communion at 10am Every Wednesday at St Barnabas Wednesday 2nd March is Ash Wednesday 3

Here are two different viewpoints on how to observe Lent this year Canon Paul Hardingham considers the spiritual disciplines Observing Lent This month sees the start of Lent, the 40-day season of penitence, self- examination and fasting running up to Easter. Jesus began His earthly ministry by fasting in the wilderness for 40 days and taught His disciples to fast: ‘when you fast.’ (Matthew 6:17). The spiritual discipline of fasting involves missing one or two meals during the day, refraining from TV, alcohol or social media, and identifying the things that get in the way of our focus on God. What are the benefits of fasting? The act of giving something up expresses my desire to put God first in my life. it shows me the things that I depend on rather than God, so that I can surrender ‘my idols’ to Him. It encourages me to have a deeper hunger and dependency for God. It gives me space to focus on God for His strength, provision, and wisdom resulting in a more intimate relationship with Christ: ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.’ (Matthew 5:6). Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal my true spiritual condition, leading to brokenness and repentance, and a transformed life along with heart that is more attentive and dependent on God. Lent can also be a time to embrace new spiritual disciplines, eg: joining a study group, ‘random acts of kindness’, giving more time to prayer and Bible study or solitude, and reading a Lent book. Whatever you do, make Lent count this year! ‘Jesus takes it for granted that His disciples will observe the pious custom of fasting. Strict exercise of self-control is an essential feature of the Christian's life. Such customs have only one purpose - to make the disciples more ready and cheerful to accomplish those things which God would have done.’ (Dietrich Bonhoeffer). 4

The Venerable John Barton considers how to make the most of Lent. Look at you Lent encourages us to examine how we’re getting on. It’s especially useful for people who have been practising Christians for some time. We’re used to saying prayers, going to church and trying to express our faith in action, but the routine may have become a bit jaded. We would like to beef it up, but the very busyness of living gets in the way. Self-examination doesn’t demand grovelling or self-abasement or flagellation. It means going into the open space of the wilderness with Jesus and trying to imagine what He was facing, as He prepared Himself “in the power of the Spirit” to embark on His life’s work. What might His temptations mean for us here and now? They offered Him short cuts. Turning stones into bread could solve the world’s poverty gap in a stroke. It would relieve us of our responsibility to combine generosity with ingenuity and put right the world’s grotesque inequalities. Jesus responded to that temptation by quoting scripture, “Human beings cannot live on bread alone”. It speaks volumes for the 21st Century. Then Jesus was tempted to do a deal with the devil, on the pretext that collabora- tion would deliver results. “God alone is due our homage”, was His rebuff, quoting scripture again. Since everyone worships something or someone, it would be a valuable exercise to consider carefully what or who takes pride of place in our schedule. It’s a tough one. What do we love most, and do we need to adjust our priorities? Magic was the next option. Jump off the temple roof and you’ll be OK. Jesus dismissed this offer with the words, “Don’t put God to the test”. While that stunt wouldn’t appeal to many Christians, there’s a breed of phoney preachers today who promise financial success and perfect health to their followers. Others reduce the Gospel to the single word, ‘love’, as though acquiring a sunny disposition could solve humanity’s problems. The definition of love in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13, suggests something quite different. That Chapter could provide the whole agenda for Lent and beyond. 5

News from the Foodbank It's hard to believe that our food bank has now been providing food to our families for two years now. We have provided help to many people during this time. At Christmas, which seems a while ago now, we provided all our families with a Christmas dinner, presents and various Christmas treats. Christmas hampers went out to around 35 families. We wouldn't be able to continue without your kind support and generous donations which are very much appreciated. Thank you to my band of helpers, again I couldn't continue without you all. If you would like to donate any of the following pasta sauce, cereal, biscuits, juice, tinned meat or anything else that would be great. Thanks also to our friends from Wigton Road Methodist Church and St. Michaels Church, Stanwix, who continue to support us. Thanks again Yvonne. ...and some more news from the Foodbank We are currently needing tinned meats, tinned vegetables, and pasta sauces to go in our week- ly food parcels. We do thank everyone who donates to the foodbank, we really would struggle without your valued support. We are seeing an increase in people asking for help, and we suspect over the next few months it will continue to increase. We would be lost without the people who work hard behind the scenes of the food- bank to help make sure we have food, that it is where it needs to be at, at the right time and even taking the empty cardboard boxes away! We do say a big thank you to Raymond, who helps Yvonne collect the fresh food every week, and to Jenny who comes to help from St Mark’s and delivers food parcels north of the river. We have had some wonderful comments back from those who come to us for food parcels about how much it helps them and their families and how nice it is to know there are people out there who care for them. We are doing as Jesus would, sharing with others, right on the doorstep of our church buildings- Amazing! Gemma 6

Men’s Breakfast is on the first Saturday of the month. Meet at the Royal Scot on Langrigg Road at 10am for a good breakfast and a good crack. The next ones are on Saturday 5th March and 2nd April Please let us know if you might like to come along . Next Women’s group meal at the Museum is on Tuesday 15th March at 6pm. We welcome any ladies who want to come along and join us- a lovely two course meal and a good crack for £5 (and no washing up!) There are still quite a few stitched kneelers at Holy Trinity Church and we really would like to make sure that if you had one there and would like it back you do get it- Please get in touch with Yvonne if this applies to you. 7

Dear Friends, When 74-year-old Ghawer began to feel unwell, he thought perhaps it was just overwork. The economic crisis in Lebanon had meant he’d had to work longer hours at his coffee-selling stand to try to make ends meet. He also stopped taking his medication as he could no longer afford it. But his symptoms became worse and soon he was so weak and ill that he couldn’t get out of bed. Then his wife Cyla fell ill too. Unable to afford doctor’s fees, they eventually turned to the Karagheusian centre for help. The Christian run Karagheusian Centre is one of our partners in Lebanon, providing primary healthcare to anyone who needs it. The medical team’s diagnosis was grim – they both had covid-19 and needed urgent hospital treatment. But many people who were already on the breadline can no longer afford vital medicines and treatment. Imagine having to make the choice between buying your next meal or the vital diabetes treatment that could stop you from going blind. Or deciding whether to go without heating in your home so you can pay for a blood test. This is the reality for many in Lebanon today. They desperately need your help. The Karagheusian Centre has seen patient numbers double, with 10,000 a month now coming to their door. With limited resources, they vitally need financial help to continue to provide for people in desperate need. For many, the free medical care offered by our partners is their only lifeline. Your gift will help the Karagheusian centre and our other Lebanese partners meet the physical needs of those struggling to cope as a result of the economic crisis. Without your help, our partners are going to struggle to help the many people who turn to them for help. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Please pray that the truth of the Gospel will be very real to our brothers and sisters at this time. Pray that they- would truly know that ‘the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it’ (from John 1:5) With best wishes, Matt Adcock Head of Communications at Embrace the Middle East Please consider making a donation to your favourite charity dur- ing Lent. embraceme.org.uk Thank you to all who have recently given me stamps. They have gone to both Embrace and the Leprosy Mission. I can take stamps at any time of the year! 8

Lectionary Readings for March Year C These are the readings for March. If you are the reader /intercessor for the Service, the readings are highlighted. Sunday 27th February Exodus 34: 29-35 Luke 9: 28-36, [37-43a] Sunday next before Lent/ Psalm 99 Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21 Transfiguration 2Corinthians 3: 12-4: 2 or John 8: 1-11 Wednesday 2nd March Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Ash Wednesday Isaiah 58: 1-12 Psalm 51: 1-18 2Corinthians 5: 20b-6: 10 Sunday 6th March Deuteronomy 26: 1-11 Luke 4: 1-13 First Sunday of Lent Psalm 91: 1-2, 9-16 Luke 13: 31-35 Sunday 13th March Romans 10: 8b-13 Luke 13: 1-9 2nd Sunday of Lent Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18 Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32 Sunday 20th March Psalm 27 Clocks go forward 3rd Sunday of Lent Philippians 3: 17-4: 1 Sunday 27th March Isaiah 55: 1-9 4th Sunday of Lent Psalm 63: 1-9 1Corinthians 10: 1-13 or Joshua 5: 9-12 Psalm 32 2Corinthians 5: 16-21 Sunday 27th March Exodus 2: 1-10 or Luke 2: 33-35 or Mothering Sunday 1Samuel 1: 20-28 John 19: 25b-27 Psalm 34: 11-20 or Psalm 127: 1-4 2Corinthians 1: 3-7 or Colossians 3: 12-17 Sunday 3rd April Isaiah 43: 16-21 John 12: 1-8 5th Sunday of Lent Psalm 126 Passion Sunday Philippians 3: 4b-14 (Carlin Sunday) 9

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Across: 1 Arouse (Song of Songs 2:7) (6) 4 Extinguish (Isaiah 1:31) (6) 8 ‘“They — — ,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!”’ (Proverbs 23:35) (3,2) 9 Unhappiness (Nehemiah 2:2) (7) 10 Jewish (7) 11 Dirge (anag.) (5) 12 ‘A truthful witness gives honest — , but a false witness tells lies’ (Proverbs 12:17) (9) 17 Paul quoted from the second one in his address in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:33) (5) 19 ‘Do not use your freedom to — the sinful nature’ (Galatians 5:13) (7) 21 ‘As you can see, he has done nothing to — death’ (Luke 23:15) (7) 22 Name applied by Isaiah to Jerusalem (Isaiah 29:1) (5) 23 ‘All the people — — one man, saying, “None of us will go home”’ (Judges 20:8) (4,2) 24 Lazarus, who was carried by angels to Abraham’s side when he died, was one (Luke 16:20) (6) Down 1 Appalled (Job 26:11) (6) 2 ‘In an — to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea’ (Acts 27:30) (7) 3 Expel (Acts 18:16) (5) 5 ‘But I have a baptism to — , and how distressed I am until it is completed!’ (Luke 12:50) (7) 6 ‘Of the increase of his government and peace there will be — — ’ (Isaiah 9:7) (2,3) 7 Hurry (Psalm 119:60) (6) 9 ‘For I desire mercy, not — , and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offer- ings’ (Hosea 6:6) (9) 13 One of its towns was Sychar, where Jesus met a woman at Jacob’s well (John 4:5) (7) 14 Shouting (Acts 7:57) (7) 15 Arachnid (Isaiah 59:5) (6) 16 One of Paul’s first converts in Philippi was Lydia, a — in purple cloth (Acts 16:14) (6) 18 Donkeys (5) 20 Raked (anag.) (5) Answers on page 17 The Bible version used in our crosswords is the NIV. Crosswords reproduced by kind permission of BRF and John Capon, originally published in Three Down, Nine Across, by John Capon (£6.99 BRF). Acknowledgements go to www.parishpump.co.uk for many of the articles, prayers, puzzles & cartoons in this magazine. 11

March brings us Lent (2nd March) and Mothering Sunday (27th March) Lent is a time of spiritual self-assessment as we prepare for Easter. It is a time to turn to God, and grow closer to him. Mothering Sunday reminds us of not only the mothers that have loved and raised us, but of Mother Church, who has spiritually loved and nurtured us throughout our Christian pilgrimage. How many words can you find on these themes in this month’s Word Search? Lent repentance learning Answers on spiritual seeking teaching page 17 Easter finding disciples preparation growing worldwide fasting mothers flowers prayer love thankyou desert care nursing selfdenial nurture family 12

Community activities: We wanted to share a comment which we received when putting in the application forms for the funding for this year's school holiday activities- we are hoping to provide activities in the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays, building on our activities in 2021 with our fantastic communi- ties “I still think this is cheap given the wonderful work you and the team car- ry out in the community-Cath” We were so blessed last year to receive the funding which allowed us to meet with many members of our communities we hadn’t met before, and reconnect with some we hadn’t seen for a while. To get comments like this from funders is amazing and really reinforces to us how important the community activities are to the ongoing growth of our churches. Please do continue to pray for the communities, the fantastic volunteers who support them and look out for more information to come! Maria, Gemma and Aileen There will be holiday activities during the Easter holidays. Dates to be confirmed are: Saturday 2nd April; Wednesday 6th April; Friday 8th April at Wigton Road Methodist church and Tuesday 12th April. If you are able to volunteer to help with any activities, please speak to Maria, Gemma or Aileen. There are lots of things to do from preparing and serving food and washing up to leading activities or just sitting talking to our lovely community families. If you have a First Aid or Hygiene certificate or you have Safeguarding / DBS clearance you are worth your weight in gold! 13

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We have Cubs and Scouts at St Barnabas for boys and girls from 8 years+ Meeting in Term-time only St Barnabas Cubs and Scouts on Mondays Cubs Contact: Peter Martin 07718 237722 Holy Trinity Cubs and Scouts GSL: Mark Hampton 07538 571546 contact Mike for Cubs or Mark for Scouts Beaver Colony Contact Ben or Joanne Girls may join the Rainbows or the Brownies who meet at St Barnabas Church on Wednesdays Meeting in Term-time only Rainbows 5pm to 6pm Brownies 6-7.30pm Contact: Suzie Giles for Rainbows on 544118 or for Brownies Ellis Page (mobile) 07729 046 765 or (Home) 01228 544 877. Parish Prayer Loop: Maria Holmes : Speak to her! Gemma McManus: Alison Sayer: [email protected] Geoff Brown from St Luke’s & Margaret Brown from St Luke’s All requests are confidential and can be for anyone about anything. 15

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ANSWERS Crossword Answers: ACROSS: 1, Awaken. 4, Quench. 8, Hit me. 9, Sadness. 10, Semitic. 11, Ridge. 12, Testimony. 17, Psalm. 19, Indulge. 21, Deserve. 22, Ariel. 23, Rose as. 24, Beggar. DOWN: 1, Aghast. 2, Attempt. 3, Eject. 5, Undergo. 6, No end. 7, Hasten. 9, Sacrifice. 13, Samaria. 14, Yelling. 15, Spider. 16, Dealer. 18, Asses. 20, Drake. 17

In this Lenten Time renew us This may be sung to the tune 'Rhuddlan' (Judge Eternal, Throned in Splendour') Jesus, in the wilds You tarried Forty days and forty nights By the Tempter often harried You the victor in each fight! In this Lenten time renew us Make us perfect in Your sight! Bread alone cannot sustain us But each word from God above Worldly goods can nothing gain us If we lack our Father’s love In this Lenten time renew us Come upon us like a dove! God our judge should not be tempted He alone is fully just His laws can’t be circumvented Satan’s world will turn to dust! In this Lenten time renew us Teach us where to place our trust! All Earth’s kingdoms are but trifles If our Lord we can’t adore Worldly wealth our worship stifles And, in truth, it makes us poor In this Lenten time renew us Guide us to Your Heav’nly shore! God Almighty, everlasting Perfect all that you create Be with us in feast or fasting Cleanse our hearts from greed and hate In this Lenten time renew us That our joy may ne’er abate! By Nigel Beeton (who writes for parishpump.co.uk) 18

Platinum Jubilee: 70 Acts of Service The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is marked by an extended bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd—Sunday 5th June 2022. It is a chance to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years of faithful service with our whole community. We will be organising something for Sunday 5th June which is also Pentecost (Whit Sunday) 70 Acts of service is an invitation to communities to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by service others. Hope together has listed 70 Acts of Service to start you thinking of ways to make a difference. but you may have lots of oth- er ideas. You can choose a handful of acts or complete one a day for 70 days. It’s up to you! Let us know how you get on through facebook or drop me a line at the Link. Here are 10 ideas to get you started, but all 70 can be found online at theplatinumjubilee.com *Think of an everyday item that is in good condition. Find a recipient and give it away. Umbrellas, hand cream...... *Clean the sink in your school, home, office, church, staffroom. *How often do you say “Hi” to your neighbours? Take that moment where you meet and spend time getting to know them a little more. Know them well already? Invite them for coffee or a meal. *Find out how you can volunteer for a local cause you love. Too shy? Volunteer with a friend. You could start with our foodbank or the holiday activities! *Clear your schedule for an hour to serve someone. Ask them what they need doing or what would help them most. *Contact a homeless or women’s shelter and ask what they need. Then supply it! *Strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know, at the bus stop or in a café. *Leave something anonymously for someone you know, a coffee on a desk, an encouraging note taped to their car or a box of pastries or doughnuts left in a shared kitchen. *Set a target to encourage everyone you talk to today. This might be easier than you think– choose encouraging words whenever you speak to other people and it will come naturally. *Spend time drafting an intentional message telling an old friend or teacher about their impact on you. What might you write on a sincere thank you card? Then send it! 19

The Electoral Roll What is it and why should I be on it? Are you on the Parish electoral roll? If not, why not? Do you live in the parish of Holy Trinity and St Barnabas or St Luke’s? Or do you live elsewhere, but attend worship regularly at one of the churches? Are you over 16 ? Have you been baptised? Would you like to be a “voting member” of one of the churches? Would you like to represent your church on a Sunday morning as a Welcomer/ Sidesperson? Or be on the PCC and make important decisions for our churches or would you like to represent our churches on the Deanery Synod? Or would you just like to be a quiet member of these Christian communities in Morton, Belle Vue, Sandsfield Park and Holy Trinity area. The Electoral Roll is a legal requirement for the Church of England. Every church must have a list of its members from which all the officers of that church are chosen/elected (PCC, Churchwardens, Welcomers, etc.) It is also a useful document when situations arise such as visiting someone in hospital , baptisms, wedding banns, funerals and so on. The numbers on each electoral roll also inform the Diocese of how many representatives are allowed from that church, how much their Parish Share should be and of their need for stipendiary (paid) clergy. This year is a “normal” year, which means that if you are already on the Electoral Roll, you don’t need to do anything, unless you want your name removed for any reason , if you have moved away for example or if you have changed your name or address in the last 12 months. If you know of someone who has died, perhaps you could let the Electoral Roll Officer know too. If you are not on either Holy Trinity & St Barnabas or St Luke’s Electoral roll and you would like to be , please ask for a form to fill in. Alison Sayer is the Electoral roll officer for HT & StB and Gemma McManus (PCC Secretary) will deal with the St Luke’s roll. Contact the Parish Office (538983) and leave a message and someone will bring you a form. Alison Sayer (HT & StB Electoral roll Officer) St Luke’s APCM is pencilled in for Tuesday 5th April at 7pm. 20

Rabbula of Edessa was a leading figure in the Syrian Church who translated the New Testament into his native tongue. He wrote this prayer for penitents to use. Have Pity on Me You are rich, Lord, in grace and mercy, willing to cleanse all sinners from their guilt. Cleanse me with hyssop, have pity on me. In Your mercy spare me, as you spared the publican and the prodigal son. You take the sinfulness from sinners, O Christ, and when we repent You make us welcome beside You. Redeemer of the human race, in Your mercy, have pity on me. My sins have bowed me to the ground… I could not have done more to achieve my own ruin if I had rushed over a precipice. Who but You can restore me to the beauty in which you created me? Who but You can remake me in the image of yourself? In Your mercy, Lord, deliver me; have pity on me… What will become of me, Lord? How will I explain myself when I must confess that there is nothing to show for the talents You bestowed on me. Have pity… Grant me the dew of Your grace, Lord. Forgive my sins. But above all, may the glory belong to You. An answer to prayer: I have had various ongoing health issues since the summer of 2019, and it is rather frustrating trying to get appointments with the right type of doctor! Due to a particularly bad few weeks, I was once again back to weekly appoint- ments and tests at the GP’s surgery and was told I needed to go on the waiting list to see, amongst other, a rheumatologist and it could be at least 4 months before I could get an appointment. Lots of praying has been going on about these health issues, the doctors, hospital waiting lists etc and we have had a real answer to prayer! A week after I was told it would be at least 4 months, I rang up the GP’s surgery to get some test results and it was a locum covering the list that day, to my surprise he usually works in rheumatology! How amazing is it God put him in that place just when I needed to speak to him! Although I am still a medical mystery- the lovely Dr B has taken over my case, has seen me weekly for the past 3 weeks and has just said as he loves a good mystery, he will get to the bottom of the issues I have. Thank you, Lord, for putting Dr B at the end of that phone, for the work he and all those in the medical profession do and for always being there in times of poor health- Amen- Gemma 21

Lenten Contrition During the middle of the tenth century the Bishop of Exeter, Leofric, presented a collection of prayers to his cathedral. The author is unknown, but the meditations present an insight into the Anglo-Saxon Christian spirit. Here is one considering Lent. Give me, O Lord, patience and sense of purpose in each of the things which you send to beset me. You know the many wicked deeds which burden my heart. But out of compassion you set aside all blame and receive me as your own. Please protect me through the dangers and confusion of my transient life on earth, ensuring that in all things I strive for eternal life in heaven. I know that I am very slow to make amends for my sins, despite the many favours you grant me. Fix my trust, my timid hopes, upon yourself, so that I may stand on a secure foundation. Lift up my thoughts with your wisdom. Stand by me, Lord, and hold me upright when the gales of sin blow round me. And when the dark stormy night of wickedness closes in on me, guide my steps. My soul is already battered by the temptations to which I have submitted. My spirit is crushed by the weight of past misdeeds. My mind is stained by the memory of the evil in which I have participated. Throughout my life you have been unfailingly generous to me, although I have deserved only punishment. Ah Lord, you are the only remedy. Let my suffering bring me true contrition, that I may receive your forgiveness, and so be made fit for the everlasting joy of heaven. 22

ST BARNABAS WITH HOLY TRINITY MOTHERS UNION 18 of our 21 members met together on February 10th for our AGM when after a short service, we re-elected Officers and Committee Members to serve during 2022. After refreshments the Committee met to discuss this year’s programme and Angela will be able to give us all a copy at our March meeting. The Theme this year is “Transformation Now” and the suggestions made by Mary Sumner House for us to follow are: Transform ourselves spiritually, personally to live out our faith. Transform the church communities we work with. Transform the Mothers Union to be relevant to 21st Century life. A tall order but we will do what we can as always. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The date of the next meeting is Thursday March 10th at the usual time of 2pm when our Speaker will be Mr Geoff Brown. We look forward to this. LADY DAY : Friday March 25th at St John’s Church, Upperby at 2pm. MOTHERING SUNDAY : Sunday 27th March When the angel told Mary she would give birth to God’s Son (Annunciation, 25th March) Almighty, loving Father, Thank you for the month of March, the month of Spring, the month when hopes are high and new things seem possible, when even coming through the pandemic seems possible. This month we remember the day that the angel told Mary that she would bear your Son – how could that have seemed possible to her? Help us to trust you as she did. Whatever we may face, help us to have peace and confidence, knowing, as she did, that nothing is impossible with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen Amen. By Daphne Kitching 23

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CONTACT DETAILS Are you new to the Parish or would like some further information about the different Parish activities? Please tick the information you require on the list below, send this form to the address given and the right person will contact you soon. Send your Parish Office request to: c/o St Barnabas Church Brookside, Carlisle, CA2 7JU Phone: 01228 538983 Name Address Postcode Telephone Email Baptism/Confirmation Bible Study Courses (Alpha, Footsteps, Called to Serve) Family Church activities Pastoral Visiting Prayer/ Healing Ministry Youth Organisations Link Magazine Parish Activities and Events Anything else? (Please note request in space provided)