A warm welcome to you on this feast of The Conversion of Paul. 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’.

Curate’s Housing
You will be aware that we have a curate, Stella Bailey, starting here in July. The diocese are looking to buy a house in Walsgrave to house her and have asked if local people can help to locate an appropriate property that is either for sale or coming up for sale. In an ideal world they would like to purchase a house with two reception rooms downstairs with either 3 or 4 bedrooms. If you know of anything, please do let Malcolm know.

Lesley Hirons
Many of you will have wondered what has become of Lesley Hirons recently. She had to go into hospital for a couple of weeks around Christmas and has now lost all mobility in her legs. She is now at home and confined to bed. If anyone could pop into see her from time to time, please have a word with Malcolm.

Annual Meeting
Our Annual Meeting this year is scheduled for Friday March 29th. We shall be reviewing our electoral roll membership from the middle of February and seeking membership of the Parochial Church Council at a similar time. If you worship here regularly but are not on our electoral roll, please have a word with Sheila Wick who will be able to help you get on the roll. If you normally write a report for the AGM, please start to think about it now. We will need all reports into the office by Sunday 22nd February.

Coffee Club
The Coffee Club meets next on Wednesday 4th and 18th February at 10.45 am. Cost £1. All Welcome.

CRB evening
PCC have decided that as many people’s CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks are quite old now that we need to have a new blanket check for people helping at St Mary’s. To this end an evening has been arranged on February 3rd at 7.30 pm at church.
All those who need to complete a CRB form will be sent one in the next 7-10 days and I hope you will be able to bring the completed form together with the necessary identification required on that evening so that I can sign them off and send them into the Diocese for checking. You will need to be checked if any of the following apply; you are on PCC; you work with young people or you handle money here.

Christmas Fayre 2008
Together with other monies banked (including prizes) less expenses we raised a total of £2679 which was a magnificent effort. Apologies, last weeks figure was the gross income, not the net income.

Pilgrimage to Iona - 25th July - 1st August
St John the Divine Church are holding a Pilgrimage to Iona. The week will be full board and accommodation is at Bishop’s House which is the retreat house for the diocese of Argyll and the Isles. The cost of the week is £325 - travel is extra. Please see poster on notice board for more details.

Conversion of Paul

Collect: Almighty God, who caused the light of the gospel to shine throughout the world through the preaching of your servant Saint Paul:
grant that we who celebrate his wonderful conversion may follow him in bearing witness to your truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: Jeremiah 1. 4-10 Chris Addie

Second Reading: Acts 9. 1-22

Gospel Reading : Matthew 19. 27-end Barbara Hancox

Intercessor: Lorraine Baker

Hymns: 15 175 560 287 522

Post Communion Prayer: Almighty God, who on the day of Pentecost
sent your Holy Spirit to the apostles with the wind from heaven and in tongues of flame, filling them with joy and boldness to preach the gospel:
by the power of the same Spirit strengthen us to witness to your truth
and to draw everyone to the fire of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This week beginning 25th January 2009

This Sunday

8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Communion, Junior Church and Lazers
6.30 pm Evening Prayer
Monday 9 am Morning Prayer
7 pm Parish Office
Tuesday 9 am Morning Prayer
Wednesday 10 am Holy Communion
Thursday 9 am Morning Prayer
Saturday 9.30 am Morning Prayer

Sunday 1st February

8 am Holy Communion
10 am Worship for All
6.30 pm Evening Prayer