As usual, St Mary’s Church gave support to the monthly Parish Lunch last Friday which is organised by church members and friends to support the work of St John’s Hospice at Moggerhanger. This month, the annual presentation was made to representatives from the Hospice and  during the past year £3500 has been raised and this was presented by Lunch Organiser Eileen Tomlinson..

The Sunday service was conducted by the Rev Gill Smith and during the service a video sermon from the Bishop of St Albans was played. In his address, Bishop Alan talked about some of the many projects being undertaken by different parishes in the Diocese with the suggestion that much more could be done to encourage more people to become involved. The 10.15am service next Sunday is a Family Service.

Also on Sunday, an event was held for the 16 couples due to be married at St Mary’s Church this year. The venue for this was the Ritzy India Restaurant in Potton and was attended by Priest in Charge, the Rev Gill Smith, the Verger and Churchwardens and other people who may have an involvement in a wedding service such as the choir master and bell ringers. An event of this sort helps couples understand how the church can help them but in a relaxed atmosphere.

First Steps for pre-school age children and their carers is meeting today, Friday February 3  at the usual time of 10.00am in St Mary’s Church Hall.  New children always welcome, just come along and enrol. A small charge is made. Morning Prayer is held on Tuesday and Thursday each week at 9.00am in St Mary’s. The Listening Place meets as usual at Jakes Court Community Centre, Sheffield Close, next Wednesday from 10.00am to 11.30am. Please come and join our regular visitors for refreshments and a chat.

Burns Night was celebrated in a big way last Friday in St Mary’s Hall where St Mary’s Social Committee had organised a traditional supper. The evening was well attended and those present enjoyed a typical Scottish roast beef meal accompanied by vegetables and all the trimmings prepared in the traditional way. The highlight of the evening was the entry of the Haggis accompanied by the well known Robbie Burns ode ably enacted by Ian Russell.

On Saturday morning members of St Mary’s joined with members of the Vineyard Church at the Salvation Army Hall where a Prayer Breakfast had been prepared by members of the Salvation Army. The event was well attended and was part of the Potton Churches Together celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The Sunday Holy Communion Service was led by the Rev Gill Smith assisted by Reader Pam Turner who spoke of Abraham in her sermon. At the end of the service, Pam also led prayers for healing for those in need. The 10.15am service next Sunday is Holy Communion with a video sermon from Bishop Alan.

On Friday, 27 January, at 8.15am, Rev Gill Smith will be giving her Thought for the Day on Biggles FM, 104.8, don’t forget to listen! First Steps for pre-school age children and their carers also meets on Friday at the usual time of 10.00am in St Mary’s Church Hall. New children always welcome, just come along and enrol. A small charge is made. Finally , the first Parish Lunch for 2012 is at St Mary’s Hall at 12.45pm. This is the monthly lunch held in support of St John’s Hospice at Moggerhanger. Morning Prayer is held on Tuesday and Thursday each week at 9.00am in St Mary’s. The Listening Place meets as usual at Jakes Court Community Centre, Sheffield Close, next Wednesday from 10.00am to 11.30am. Please come and join our regular visitors for refreshments and a chat.