Pew Sheet for 1 May

3^RD SUNDAY of EASTER with
MAY DEVOTIONS

Readings
Acts 9.1–6; Revelation 5.11–end; John 21.1–19

Sunday Services

Sunday Services at St Stephen’s are now only on 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.

Services during the week

Said Communion Wednesday 10.30 (followed by coffee in the meeting room)
Morning Prayer Daily livestream at 9.00 (weekdays)
You can join Morning Prayer online at: http://www.stpetersleck.org and via Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pipandjims. You can attend in person at P&J on Mondays, at St Christopher’s on Tuesdays and at St Peter’s on Thursdays.
Daily Hope a free phone line of hymns, reflections and prayers is still available on 0800 804 8044.

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS: With the easing of restrictions the wearing of face coverings is no longer mandatory. However, please respect those who wish to continue mask wearing and social distancing. If you test positive for Covid up to three weeks after this service, please let us know by telephone or e-mail.

For Your Prayers

For all who work in the NHS, and essential workers
For all residents in care homes including Jean Haigh and Gary Hiscock
For all who are unwell including, Shirley, Joy, Gordon, Daphne, Christine and Polly.
Those who have died.

You can also donate to the DEC humanitarian appeal at:

https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal

PRAY FOR AFGHANISTAN

Please pray for peace and protection for the Afghan people who are facing great uncertainty and the threat of serious human rights abuses. Pray also for all who remain, for courage and protection. You can find more resources here: www.christianaid.org.uk/pray/prayer-afghanistan

To donate to the DEC emergency appeal, go to:

https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies/afghanistan-crisis-appeal

NOTICES

No service next Sunday

Please note that, as per previous letters from The Rev’d Nick Davies, Team Rector, St Stephen’s will only have Sunday worship on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month from now on. The congregation are encouraged to attend St Peter’s Leckhampton’s services at 8:00am or 10:00am on that day instead. There will be our normal 10:30am Mass each Wednesday, and Fr Sebastian remains with us until late June.

Newman Talk

The next Newman Association talk on on Tues 3 May at 2.30pm Can Faith be Reconciled with Science? will be given by Fr Andrew Pinsent at Sacred Hearts Parish Hall, GL53 9AU. See poster for details.

Concerts at St Stephens:

Friday 29 April at 7pm Short concert by Rachel Reisner, Melvin Brown and Fiona Brown – a variety of songs; something for everyone! Entry free, but collection for St Stephen’s; refreshments afterwards.
Sat 14 May – Jazz at 2pm, Folk at 6pm We have 2 concerts coming up on the same day brought to us by Mike, Nathan and friends. All proceeds to St Stephens.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

The APCM will be held on Tuesday 17 May in the Meeting Room at 7.30pm. Please give thought to nominations for Church Wardens, members of the Deanery Synod, and members of the Parochial Church Council. Forms for these nominations will be at the back of the church. We need new people as well as the existing ones, to fill these essential roles, in order to ease the burdens of the present incumbents. There may be people who are willing but as yet have not been asked! Please ask before nominating. Return any completed forms to Ann Bacon or Church Wardens.

Annual Report

Please submit your group reports to Ann Bacon (via ststephenstivoli@gmail.com) ASAP, but by 1 May at the latest in order to give us time to format the final document.

Electoral Roll

In the recent difficult times we have not been able to invite people to have their names added. Do consider putting your name on the list, which shows a real commitment to us. Please see Ann Bacon if you wish to be included.

‘Learning to Listen’ Days/ Evenings

The South Cheltenham Team are restarting regular Quiet Days/Evenings.
The next 2 sessions are: Thu 19 May 10am–3pm and Tue 19 July 7–9pm
These sessions are open to all and will take place in the Church Cottages. To book, email the Parish Office at parishofficeleck@gmail.com, or 01242 513647 and leave a message if it the office is unattended. See poster for details.

Coffee Morning

Mary Jackson is hosting a coffee morning for the congregation on Saturday 28th May. For more details please speak to Mary, the Churchwardens, or Fr Sebastian.

Coffee/Tea after the Sunday service

If you are able to help with refreshments after the Sunday service, please let Jacqui know.

For Ukraine

Prayers, readings and reflections in support of the people of Ukraine are being held at
St. Gregory’s Church each Wednesday in Lent, from 6–6.45pm.
To donate to the DEC Humanitarian appeal, go to:
https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal or call 0370 60 60 900

Cheltenham Elim Food Bank

(seeded by The Trussell Trust)
Please donate an item or two from the list: washing up liquid, instant mash potato, toothpaste, long life fruit juice, shampoo, tomato ketchup, brown sauce, mayonnaise. Please place any donations in the Green box next to the font.