Church News Volume 1, Issue 1

Dear friends,

This is the first of what I hope will be a monthly publication, distributed to Church members of the seven parishes which make up our Benefice and also to others who are interested in the Church family. Articles for inclusion will be welcome especially those giving details of events and other matters of interest to the Church community. Suggestions as to the layout and development of this monthly newsletter will also be gratefully received.

The last few months have become increasingly busy as I have maintained three midweek services for you : Tuesday and Thursday a Holy Communion at 10.00am which moves between the various Benefice churches and a 7.30pm Holy Communion on a Wednesday evening at Wickhambrook followed by coffee at the Vicarage. My hope is that more of you will set aside an extra hour during the week to come and worship in one of the churches of the Benefice. It is through the regular daily round of prayer and worship that we shall grow together in love of God and in fellowship with each other. Morning prayer is said Monday to Thursday at 8.00am in Wickhambrook church, Evensong at 5.00pm. If you are free or just passing please do come along and join me in prayer.

My plans for the Autumn include leading a study group for the parishes of the Benefice and to offer places to other churches in the Deanery if available. "Discovering Jesus through St. Mark's Gospel" is the title of the course which will take place fortnightly on a Wednesday evening, 8.00pm - 9.00pm in Wickhambrook church "school room". This will start on 1st September. Many of you have expressed the need for a programme of teaching and faith development in the Benefice and so I hope that many of you will take advantage of this course for your own spiritual development.

I intend to begin a weekly enquirers session called "FAITH FORUM" to which I hope you will invite those of strong beliefs and those with none to come along and discuss together issues of faith and life in an informal setting over coffee and biscuits at the Vicarage. This will meet each Wednesday morning, 10.00am - 11.00am beginning on 8th September. Please stress to any who might be interested that there will be no commitment demanded or expected to church or to faith. It will be a forum for open discussion on any topic from lots of different view points.

Some people have said that they find prayer hard. You are not alone! I want to discover along with you new ways of developing our prayer lives and want to begin a group on a Sunday evening which will meet fortnightly, 6.30pm - 7.30pm at St. Margaret's, Cowlinge. "Deeper into Prayer" is the name of the group and we shall begin on Sunday 12th September.

So, lots of exciting things on offer for the new Benefice to grow. I can only plan and offer these things - you must take them up!

Your friend and Vicar,

Revd Ian M. Finn

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