ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH
Church Lane, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5LA
0113 258 1719
COVID 19
As restrictions on the use of our building continue, we can still offer some limited access for congregational worship (details below). Alongside this, we continue to worship together online every Wednesday & Sunday at 10am - check out our Facebook page (details on our Home page, as well as in the St. Margaret's News tab).
Thank you for your understanding.
Team Rector: The Revd. Nigel Sinclair
Tel. 258 2481, nigelsinclair@btinternet.com
Find us on Facebook -
ST. MARGARET'S NEWS
May News
20th May 2021
SUNDAY AND MIDWEEK SERVICES
Sunday morning worship - 10am
Sunday evening pause to pray - 6pm
Mid-week communion - Every Wednesday at 10am
We are now able to welcome a limited congregation into church on Sunday and Wednesday mornings. To find out how to book to come along to a service, go to: https://www.stmargaretshorsforth.org.uk/copy-of-attending-church
All our services are also live-streamed on our Facebook page, and can be watched at the time or caught up with later!
https://www.facebook.com/pg/StMargaretsChurchHorsforth/posts/?ref=page_internal
A WORD FROM THE VICAR...
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Acts 2.1
Dear all,
The first Pentecost was a time of great change for Jesus’ disciples. Emerging out of a period of isolation (and prayer) they began to work out how to function in very different ways, without the physical presence of their friend and leader, and the Holy Spirit equipped them with the strength and skills required for what lay ahead.
This Pentecost will be the first Sunday after the lifting of many of the restrictions we have lived through for the last year, followed a month later by even more relaxations. Its still too early to know exactly what church, and even everyday life, will look like beyond June. It is perhaps more accurate to think of it as a ‘new start’ rather than a ‘return to normal’. But whatever lies in store we can be assured, like those first disciples, that God’s Holy Spirit will equip us with everything we need to face the future.
In this Newsletter I want to share some of the initial thoughts about what this time of ‘emergence’ might look like and offer every church member the chance to consider what your role in church might be going forward. Please do take time to consider the questionnaire attached and send us your reply.
1. Wednesday & Sunday Services
Our 10am services on Wednesdays and Sundays continue with safety measures in place. Attendance in person continues to be by pre-booking your place (email stmargaretschurchhorsforth@gmail.com or phone 2582481). They are also live on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StMargaretsChurchHorsforth.
On Pentecost Sunday we are hoping to have an outdoor service which allows larger numbers to attend in relative safety (which we hope will encourage those who do not yet feel comfortable inside church) and also allows us to sing! This will be followed by two more outdoor services on 20th June and 18th July.
It is still too early to know what to expect after June 21st. While the Government “hopes to be in a position to remove all legal limits on social contact” we do not expect this to mean an immediate ‘return to normal’. Some social distancing (possibly reduced to 1m), some form of ‘venue capacity’ and the use of masks may still be required or recommended. Whatever else happens we will continue to avoid physical contact when sharing the peace and the use of a shared chalice at communion until later in the year.
2. Rev. Rachel Ford
We are looking forward to welcoming Rachel back from maternity leave on June 10th. Soon afterwards she will be ordained priest at Leeds Minster (26th June) and will be presiding at communion for the first time on Sunday 27th June.
3. Some Emergence Plans
Work on the new kitchen at the back of church will begin soon and we hope to have it ready for the end of June. As well as (hopefully) serving refreshments after services we are looking to open church as a ‘café’ two or three times a week and encourage people to meet up and small groups to use the space (e.g. ‘knit & natter’, craft group, book club). If you have any ideas to help people get back to going out and meeting others, please be in touch.
Mothers Union & the Afternoon Tea Group are looking to restart in the summer. We are also considering the idea of having monthly communion services in the afternoon to help those for whom mornings are difficult. Any feedback on which day of the week would be best would be appreciated. Also, for those finding mobility more difficult, we are looking at arranging lifts to church. Again, let us know if this would be helpful for you.
4. Community Café & Natter Café
The ‘Food Hub’ run by the Horsforth Community Aid Project from St Margaret’s on Mondays finishes its work at the end of June. After a short break we are looking to return to a ‘Community Café’ on Mondays, possibly running outdoors during the summer. Following the introduction of a ‘Natter Bench’ in Hall Park (a place to meet others for a chat), HCAP is starting a programme of pop-up ‘Natter Cafés’ on Tuesday mornings. These are outdoor cafes at a different location in Horsforth each week to encourage local residents to get outside and meet up with neighbours. Look out for leaflets and posters in your area.
5. Dementia Action Week Monday 17th – Sunday 23rd May
Dementia Friendly Horsforth is running a series of events this week including an online play on Thursday May 20th at 6.30pm. For details contact dementiafriendlyhorsforth@gmail.com
God bless and stay safe,
PRAYER FOR LOVED ONES
If you would like someone known to you to be remembered in prayer, please email us their name, and just a little detail on why they need prayer. Our prayer group will then pray for them on a regular basis - and completely confidentially. The power of prayer and the reassurance of knowing our loved ones are being held in God's presence by others can never be underestimated!
Floodlights - In memory and celebration
June 2021
This month, the church floodlights are lit in memory and celebration of the following;
4th In loving memory of Andrew
Sheila Gibson
21st For my Mother, Elizabeth Welbourne
Miss Zeta Welbourne
22nd Loving memories of Richard
Kath Griffiths
30th Loving Birthday memories of John
Kath Griffiths
If you would like the lights dedicated for a special occasion or memorial please let us know.
Summer Sunday Fun!
01 Jan 2020
It's been great to welcome children and families back into church on a Sunday afternoon for the past four weeks. The 16th, 23rd & 30th of August, as well as the 6th of September, saw the Junior Church team hosting up to 7 families a week, for 30 mins of fun and worship together. We've made crafts, joined in bible stories and action songs, praised and prayed! We're taking a break now, to allow space for children to start back at school safely - but watch this space for more from Junior Church in the next month or so!
Floodlights - in memory and celebration
31 Aug 2020
This month, the church floodlights are lit in memory and celebratoin of the following:
2nd Sept - "Shining for Zak's 30th birthday," sponsored by Derek and Eunice GLover
3rd Sept - "In loving memory of Dennis on his birthday," sponsored by Liz Herbert
17th Sept - "In loving memory of Mum, Eileen Cole, for her birthday," sponsored by Carol Keen.
21st Sept - "For my mother, Elizabeth Welbourne," sponsored by Miss Zeta Welbourne
If you would like the lights dedicated for a special occasion or memorial, please let us know.
Together in Unity
01 Aug 2020
This week, the Archbishop of Canterbury launched the 'Together in Unity' appeal - a chance to give genrously to the church around the world as it reaches out to support communities devasted by coronavirus. To find out more, including how to give, then follow this link: https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/about/anglican-communion-fund/coronavirus-appeal
A breath of fresh air!
01 Aug 2020
The sun shone (thank goodness!) on our outdoor service today. It really was a breath of fresh air to be able to welcome double the number of people we are able to safely accomodate in church at the moment - and to see both old faces and new amongst those gathered. Lockdown recordings by the choir - put together by the magic of technology - added something extra special to the occasion. Watch out for news of our next outdoor service, later this summer.
Princesses and Dragons
19 Jul 2020
We had dragons and princesses in church on Sunday, to help us celebrate the feast day of our patron saint, St. Margaret of Antioch. We're not sure if she really did get eaten by and then escape from the belly of a dragon, but we do think her complete trust in God is something we can all be inspired by! It's been great to see a few families back in church over the last few weeks - and look forward to welcoming more soon!
Junior Church get crafty for Horsforth works of Art
05 Jul 2020
Members of our Junior Church have been getting crafty as part of the the Horsforth Works of Art week... creating jungle-themed masks, puppets and door hangers! There is Art on display both online and around Horsforth all week (4th-11th July) - check out the Walk of Art Facebook page for more info: https://www.facebook.com/HorsforthWalkOfArt/
Normal? service resumes!
04 Jul 2020
On Sunday, we had our first service in church together since lockdown began! This was of course for a limited number of people, and with strict social distancing measures in place. We also live-streamed on Facebook, and will continue to operate a mixed-economy, worshipping together online and in church, right through the summer. We want everyone to be able to worship in the way in which you feel safest and are most comfortable. If you do want to join us in church one Sunday, then find out how here: https://www.stmargaretshorsforth.org.uk/copy-of-attending-church
A big birthday...
04 Jul 2020
As part of our Sunday worship this week, we marked the NHS's 72nd birthday, thanking God for all those who work to look after the nation's health. The church was decorated with knitted hearts, by way of tribute to all of those who serve us in the NHS; members of our church family who work for the NHS took part in the service; and we clapped together to show our appreciation to them and all who have gone above and beyond to care for the nation in recent months.
Open for prayer
04 Jul 2020
We have now been open for prayer on a Thursday for two weeks, with a steady trickle of visitors. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the special atmosphere of church - to reflect, pray, or just sit quietly. We are able to welcome up to four individuals at a time, and have everything in place to ensure your safety when you are with us. If you would like to arrange a visit, then everything you need to know is here: https://www.stmargaretshorsforth.org.uk/copy-of-attending-church
Bible studies
04 Jul 2020
We are just coming to the end of our series of bible studies on "Faith in the time of Coronavirus". Watch this space though - after a short break, we will be back with something new! We will be using Zoom, so you can join through your computer, tablet, smart phone or landline. If you would like more details, contact the church office email address.
Sing your heart out!
30 May 2020
Check out the latest tab we've added to our website...
https://www.stmargaretshorsforth.org.uk/favourite-hymns
Lyric videos of 20 of the church's favourite hymns - as voted for by you! A whole selection of great classics, that'll lift anyone's spirtis!
Knitted hearts
31 May 2020
We are still asking people to knit and crochet hearts for us - these will be hung in church when the building reopens, in memory of those who have lost their lives to Coronavirus, and in tribute to all those who risk their own safety working on the front line to care for others. Do get in touch and let us know if you have made any hearts, so that we can arrange for their collection in the next few weeks.
Parish Giving Scheme
30 Mar 2020
A new system for giving to church direct from your bank account was launched in the Diocese this January. We have benefitted enormously from people giving in this way during the lockdown. If you are interested in supporting the church with a regular donation through the parish giving scheme, then please do get in touch with us. Further details can be found here: https://www.parishgivingscheme.org.uk/for-donors/