Dear Friends,

Earlier this week, my wife Hannah had the joy of going into one of our local nurseries to tell a group of 3–4-year-olds what it's like being a Church of England priest. She was able to talk about her faith and how Christians celebrate Easter. But perhaps the most important thing about the visit was that she made Jesus real to these children and staff simply by being visible in the community.

Easter is a wonderful opportunity for us as St Stephen's to be visible in the community. There will be plenty of activities to refresh us in our faith. But what excites me most is the opportunity to reach outside our church walls, even just a little bit. So on Palm Sunday, we'll begin our 10.30 service outside before processing into the church, recalling how Jesus rode into Jerusalem in triumphal procession. On Good Friday, we'll join with other local churches in a Walk of Witness down to the Broadway, remembering how Jesus' journeyed through Jerusalem carrying the Cross. And at dawn on Easter Sunday morning, we'll gather around a fire grate before symbolically carrying the light of Christ into the darkened church building. These expressions of our faith may be small, but you never quite know who may notice. It might just be that Jesus becomes real to them this Easter because of our visible presence.

You can find all the details you need for these services and others [here].

In the meantime, this Sunday is Mothering Sunday. This was traditionally a day in the year when people would return to their hometowns to visit their mother church (i.e. the church they were baptised in and grew up in). Today, of course, it is more commonly associated with celebrating those who mother us. It's a day of celebration for many, but I'm mindful that it can also be a difficult day too. I will be praying for all those who for whatever reason find Sunday challenging, and if it would be helpful to talk, please do be in touch with me or Ruth. There will be opportunities to both celebrate and reflect at each of our services this weekend - just remember that the clocks jump forward overnight!

Finally, Hannah and I have really enjoyed having some of you round to dinner recently. There are still a few spaces this week and next. Do feel free to sign yourself up [here]. Further dates will be made available after Easter.

With every blessing,

David
 
Mothering Sunday
This Sunday 30th March is Mothering Sunday and as is our tradition, at both 9am and 10:30am services, we will have flowers for all mothers or women who care for others. We will also have a space to remember those who are no longer or not able to be with us. 

This Mothering Sunday, please spare a thought for the women seeking refuge and trying to re-build their lives at TMP. Many are mothers, most have been separated from their own mothers through unimaginable circumstances - trafficking, domestic violence etc. This Easter, we are giving our love and the real story of Easter with a Fairtrade Chocolate Egg. Please sponsor £5.50 for an egg. Card Readers in church or see the church website.
 
Good Friday Walk of Witness 18th of April. 
In order that the 'Walk' passes off safely, St Stephen's will be responsible for Stewarding one of Junctions on route which we will require 8 Stewards and then we need a further 8 Stewards to Steward alongside the Walk with 1 additional Steward to handout Easter Church Services leaflet. Volunteers to meet at Church at 9 25am prompt, it's vital everyone can 'Witness' in a Safe manner. Please email Pete Devereux jandpdevereux@hotmail.co.uk or Ian Jamieson ianojamieson@icloud.com.
 
Electoral Roll
The church Electoral Roll is the register of our voting members; it is a list of those qualified to attend and to vote at the Annual Church Meeting. Joining is a way of saying....“I belong” and an act of commitment to St. Stephen’s Church.

This year we are required to completely refresh our Electoral Roll. This means all those currently on the ER will be remove and will need to reapply and new member can also apply. The dates this will be happening are as follows:
ER Opening - Sunday 6th April
ER Closing - Sunday 27th April
 
Easter Breakfast
As you will know we are holding a Dawn Service this year for Easter at 5:30am. Our tradition is to hold a breakfast for the attendees after the service. We are looking for volunteers/a team of people to cater this. If you are willing to help with this please speak to our churchwardens, Mary Ann Auckland or Jane Maffett. Thank you.
 
Annual Meeting
Sunday 18th May at 6.30pm, followed by refreshments – this is an important meeting where we can see how the church is doing and David can share his thoughts for the coming months – as well as electing Churchwardens and PCC members. Do pop it in your diary!  The papers will be uploaded nearer the time.  PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A CHANGE OF DATE.

Is this for you?  Elections to our Church Council
Nominations will open on Sunday 27th April and are invited for the following:
2 Churchwardens to serve for 1 year
3 PCC members to serve for 3 years
1 Deanery Synod member for 1 year
More information here.  Please think about whether you would like to stand or whether you might nominate someone who would like to stand. David is particularly keen to chat with anyone who feels a possible calling to be a churchwarden, as neither current churchwarden is able to stand again this year.

Queries to David Baylor or PCC Secretary Jane Maffett.
 
Regular Giving to St Stephen’s
This is really important to help us fund everything we want to do.  Thank you to all who have been catching up on implementing their pledges from last November.  If you are new to church or not yet contributing regularly, please click here for more information or contact the Giving Co-ordinators Chris and Helen Irwin-Childs, or Treasurer, Jane Maffett. 

Christian Aid Week 
Starts in just 6 weeks time! Several events are planned to fund raise for communities in Guatemala, where climate change is devastating banana and coffee crops in rural areas.

Are you a gardener? If sowing seeds or splitting plants for this year's flowers or veg now that Spring is here at last, please sow/plant up a few more for sale on Sunday 11th May. A lovely thing to do with kids, and SO satisfying with the prospect of eating your own food! And if you're having a bit of a Spring Clean, please let us have any books you no longer want, for sale on 11th May too. Put aside to bring to church from 4th May.

Winter Night Shelter
We come to the end of the 2024/25 season of Ealing Churches Winter Night Shelter this week-end. 8 guests are still with us, and very concerned about their future. Please pray for them as they return to the streets on Sunday evening. Pray for their safety, and for long term solutions for work and accommodation very soon. Five others are now in long term accommodation and one has returned to home and family in Poland. Praise the Lord!
 
Parish Prayer
These are the streets in our parish we are praying for this fortnight – please do pray for all who live there and for people to come to know Jesus.
Castlebar Court
Castlebar Mews
Castlebar Road
Castlebar Park
 
Prayer for the Week
God of love,
passionate and strong,
tender and careful:
watch over us and hold us
all the days of our life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.