Monthly Prayer Gathering
Join us for our Monthly Prayer Gathering on Tuesday 4th March at 8pm where we will meet to pray for the life of our church.
 
Lent
Lent begins on Wednesday 5th March with Ash Wednesday. We will have two Ashing services, at 10am and 8pm. Through Lent the St Stephen's family is encouraged to take part in one of the below activities:

The Purpose Drive Life by Rick Warren. Jack and Lily Cahill will be running a group to read through and discuss this book. Meetings will be on Wednesdays at 7:30pm in the church Meeting Room. There will also be an option to dial in on zoom. They will be using this edition of the book if you would like to purchase your own copy. They do however have three spare copies. If you would like to join this group or borrow a copy of the book please email Jack jack@ststephens-ealing.org.

Climate Justice and Discipleship - a contemplative journey into action. This is being run by the Bishops of the Diocese of London. It is a free online course, sign up here, which will take place on Tuesday evenings 7:30-8:30pm.

Prayer for All. This is a resource devised by St Stephen's to encourage us all in daily prayer as we look ahead to Easter. Click here to download the resource for yourself. Copies will be available at church from Sunday 2nd March.

Full details of all our Lent and Easter services are available on our website.
 
Lent Appeals
The Diocese of London has long supported the Anglican Church in Mozambique and Angola. These countries are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. As we consider the challenge of living out the Fifth Mark of Mission (to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the Earth) our money will help with projects to support Cyclone emergency; mangrove replanting; and emergency aid to those displaced by drought and hunger.

Closer to home, we are giving Easter Eggs to the Marylebone Project for homeless women. These are made from Fairtrade chocolate, and each boxed egg comes with a booklet telling the real story of Easter. Please donate £5.50 for an egg to bring joy and introduce a woman to the story of Jesus. See the stall during Café on Sundays from 9th March.
 
Ealing Churches Winter Night Shelter (WNS)
We are well underway in hosting WNS here at St. Stephen's. We currently welcome 14 homeless people, but could still do with some help, especially for the overnight shift from 10pm Fridays to 7am on Saturdays. Please contact Sue at 0790 8840 954 if you'd like more information or would be able to help - even for one night!
 
Electoral Roll (ER)
Every six years the Electoral Roll at all Anglican Churches is renewed. This means that all current members of our ER are removed and need to re-apply. 2025 is one of these renewal years. Further information about this will be given closer to the time.
 
TeaTimers
We will be welcoming Morning Chorus choir on Friday 21 March 2.30-4:00pm at TeaTimers. All welcome to come and enjoy, incl usual refreshments.

Eco Tip for March
Take time to re-connect with God and His Creation during Lent. When the weather allows, take a walk in the park; enjoy the street trees as they sprout new growth and flowers; listen to the bees and watch the birds! Another book to recommend: Jo Swinney's 'The Whole Easter Story'. 'She illuminates the connections between God, people and the rest of creation, bringing them all together to demonstrate why looking after the planet is such a key part of Christian life' (Dr. Ruth Bancewicz, church engagement director, The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion).

Parish Prayer
This fortnight we are praying for Gurnell Grove where some church members live. Please do pray for our church plant The Grove Community Church, all those who live there and for people to come to know Jesus.

Prayer for the Week
Holy God,
you know the disorder of our sinful lives:
set straight our crooked hearts,
and bend our wills to love your goodness
               and your glory
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.