ST. MARGARET'S NEWS

 
FebruaryNews

12th February 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...

Those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall soar on wings like eagles they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not grow faint. (Isaiah 40.31)

 

 Dear all,

 

Since Christmas the news about Covid19 has been mixed, as has the weather.  Vaccinations are being rolled out quickly.  It is a real blessing that scientists have been able to create and mass-produce effective vaccines for this new coronavirus in less than a year.  Many of you will already have received your first injection and others can look forward to receiving their appointment soon.  I would urge you to book your appointment as soon as possible – it really is the most promising route out of this crisis.  At the same time news of new variants have been worrying and have lengthened all the restrictions we are living under.  Thankfully Leeds seems to be less affected than much of the country but we still need to take the utmost care.  On top of this the snow and ice have made any trips out of the house more difficult.  If you find yourself unable to get out safely for shopping, prescriptions or whatever please do get in touch (phone the Vicarage on 2582481), we do have a group of willing volunteers from the congregation ready to help. 

 

Pastoral Care

 

Following Eunice’s departure, Tracey Wright is taking a lead in overseeing our pastoral care.  She works with a small group of volunteers to ensure that everyone living alone is regularly contacted and we try to maintain some contact with everyone on our ‘membership list’.  In addition to this Daryl Kelly keeps in touch with Mothers Union members and Jan & Margaret keep in touch with the Afternoon Tea Group.  If you have any pastoral concerns, or have not heard from anyone for a while, please phone the Vicarage (2582481) where either Cheryl, Abi (who is doing some part-time admin work for us) or I will take a message.  

 

Church Services

Under the present lockdown many churches have decided to close for public worship.  At St Margaret’s we have continued to remain open but have again revised our seating arrangements and updated our Risk-Assessment.  The particular challenge is that people attending church must not ‘mingle’ (that is to say stop and talk) with others before and after the service.  If you would like to attend in person then contact Cheryl by email,

stmargaretschurchhorsforth@gmail.com , or phoning 2582481 to book a place. 

 

Ash Wednesday is on February 17th, Mothering Sunday is March 14th, Palm Sunday

March 28th and Easter April 4th.  We will be marking all these days appropriately, but the Government is due to review restrictions in mid-February so plans are not yet fixed.

 

Prayer Lists

 

With all our services being ‘broadcast’ we are, to maintain proper safeguards, not praying for people by name at this time.  We do however have a dedicated prayer team in the background which is regularly praying for people who have asked for the prayers of the church.  Please do continue to pray for those known to you in your own devotions. 

 

 

Horsforth Community Aid Project (HCAP)

 

St Margaret’s is working as part of HCAP, a group of local partners coming together to provide a community response to the COVID  pandemic in Horsforth.  We have received various grants and donations (of money & food) and co-ordinate the work of volunteers.  This allows a ‘food-hub’ to run out of our Parish Centre (led by Penny Pinn) providing groceries for those who are struggling financially and delivering to shielding individuals who do not have other help available.  We have also supported a Children’s Centre school holiday project, helped plan the new ‘Natter Bench’ in Hall Park, sent gifts of appreciation to local schools and various other projects designed to alleviate hardship and maintain morale.  We are fortunate to live in a community where there is plenty of help available.  If you or anyone you know is struggling please do get in touch – we are here to help.

 

 

2021 has got off to a very difficult start, but we remain hopeful that things will look much better by Easter.  We look forward to being able to get together safely before long.  Meanwhile please do continue to stay safe and if we can help in any way do not hesitate to get in touch.

 

God bless,

 

Nigel

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! 

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/

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St Margaret's Church

Church Ln, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5LA, UK

0113 258 1719

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