A warm welcome to you on this Fifth Sunday of Easter. Please do join us after the service to share in a cup of tea or coffee. All ages are welcome at St. Mary’s, children included. There is also a crèche in the Octagon for the very young if you need it. If this is your first time with us, please do fill in the slip at the end of the newsletter, so that we can keep in touch with you. St Mary’s is fitted with a hearing loop system. Members of the congregation who have a hearing aid with a ‘T’ switch will find that they can hear better when it is switched to ‘T’.

Beetle Drive
From the feedback received everyone who took part in the Beetle Drive on Friday 27th April had a very enjoyable time and it was one of those special occasions when the child in all of us took over! Thanks to your generosity, the Refurbishment Fund total has been increased by £150. My special thanks to Audrey and Gwen for taking on the bulk of the organisation, to Barbara Ellis and David Greenhalgh for their splendid work on the night and to those who supported in any other way.
Jean Hudson

Coffee Club
The Coffee Club meets next on Wednesday 16th and 30th May at 10.45 am. All Welcome. Gwen and Audrey

Advance Notice - Quiet Day
A Quiet Day focussing on Rest and Relaxation is planned for Saturday 30th June. This is to be held at St. John’s Wolvey and will be entitled “Letting Go.” The time will be approximately 9.45 - 3.30 pm and the cost will be advised nearer the time. More details nearer the time but please do put this in your diaries.

St Chad’s is 50
St Chad’s will be celebrating its 5oth birthday this month with a variety of events to which we are all invited. Events planned are:
Saturday 26th May 12 –4pm in the grounds of St Chad’s
Sunday 27th May 9.30am Service with Bishop John
Wednesday 30th May 6.30pm Service with Bishop Colin

Christian Aid Week
Christian Aid Week will soon be upon us 13-19th May. We are looking for volunteers to make collections in various roads of the parish. If you can help please do sign up for a few roads. Usually collections themselves take between 30-45 minutes, the envelopes having been delivered (by you!) beforehand.

Day trip to Lichfield
Walsgrave-on-Sowe Community Group have organised a day trip to Lichfield (Cathedral and Dobbie’s Garden Centre) on Wednesday 9th May. Pick up, church 9.30 am return 3.30 pm. Tickets £5. Contact Edna 7661 4659 or Jacqui 7660 2440 for details and tickets.

Tote
April Tote winners were

W Moreton No. 38 £28
T Eaton No. 10 £ 9.50

Jam Jars!!
It’s that time of year again when I need to start collecting jars!!! Can you please save large(12 oz or 1lb) and small (8 oz) jam jars and also jars of a suitable size for pickled onions. Many thanks Jean Hudson.

Italy Trip
If anyone is interested in going to Florence and Assisi in October, please see Malcolm or Pennie as soon as possible.

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Collect: Risen Christ, your wounds declare your love for the world and the wonder of your risen life: give us compassion and courage to risk ourselves for those we serve, to the glory of God the Father.

First Reading: Acts 11.1–18

Second Reading: Revelation 21.1-6

Gospel Reading : John 13.31-3

Post Communion Prayer: Eternal God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life: grant us to walk in his way, to rejoice in his truth, and to share his risen life; who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

This week beginning 6th May 2007

Sunday 8 am Holy Communion
10 am Worship for All
6.30 pm Evening Prayer
Tuesday 9 am Morning Prayer
Wednesday 10 am Holy Communion
Thursday 9 am Morning Prayer
Saturday 9.30 am Morning Prayer

Sunday 13th May

8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Communion
3 pm Baptisms
6.30 pm Evening Prayer