Pew Sheet for 15 May

5^TH SUNDAY of EASTER

Readings
Acts 11.1–18; Revelation 21.1–6; John 13.31–35

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. There is therefore no service on 22 May, and the congregation are encouraged to attend other services across the Team. Fr Sebastian will be preaching at Pip & Jim’s on Sunday 22nd at their 10:00am service. There will be our normal 10:30am Mass here each Wednesday, and Fr Sebastian remains with us until late June.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting 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.

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.

MEMORY CAFÉ at Pip and Jim’s

As part of our plan to make the church accessible to the wider community we will be launching a Memory Cafe on Mon 23rd May at 2-4pm. Aimed at people suffering from memory loss and at their friends and carers, the Café will provide a space for social contact over a cuppa and a piece of cake. We will lead singing and creative art at the first session, for which there will be no charge. We hope that those attending will help to determine the programme of activities at future events. Please spread the word! For further information or to offer help please speak to Peter Cottingham at Pip and Jim’s (info@pipandjims.org.uk or 01242 522658).

Humanitarian Appeals

To donate to the DEC Humanitarian appeals for Ukraine or Afghanistan
For Ukraine, go to:
https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal or call 0370 60 60 900
For Afghanistan, go to:
https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/afghanistan-crisis-appeal or call 0370 60 60 610

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.