Church Rotas

Christ Church - cleaning & flowers
Mrs. Clark and Mrs. G. Duncan

All Saints' - cleaning & flowers
Mrs. H. Durrance and Mrs. M. Elmer

St. Andrew's - cleaning rota:
Mar 7th Mr/Mrs J. Booty
Mar 14th Mrs M. Maynard, Mrs J. Harris
Mar 21st Mrs S. Waller, Mrs R. Nichols
Mar 28th Mrs P. Coles, Mrs B. Akers
Apr 4th Mrs B. Ayres, Mrs V. Legg

St. Andrew's - Sidesman:
Mar 2nd Mrs B. Akers, Mrs Parkinson
Mar 9th Mrs Elliot, A.N. Other
Mar 16th Mr Chilvers, Mrs Bunyan
Mar 23rd Miss Robinson, Mrs Gains
Apr 6th Dr. Norris, Mrs. Norris
Apr 13th Mrs Sharp, Mrs MacMullen

Before I continue with my letter for March I have an important announcement to make. I have been offered and accepted the post of Team Rector (designate) of the soon to be formed ministry team of Kegworth with Hathern, Long Whatton and Diseworth with Belton and Osgathorpe in the Diocese of Leicester. This appointment will mean my leaving these parishes in May. I have very much valued and enjoyed ministering in these parishes and will miss all of you when I leave.
The 5^th of March is Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Lent is a time for self-examination in preparation for entering once again the drama of Christ's death and resurrection. Lent is also generally misunderstood. Lent is not the time when God wants us to be miserable through giving up things like chocolate. Lent is a time when we remember that God is our loving Father and Mother, the one to whom we owe everything. With this in mind we take a long hard look at our lives so that we can be honest with God and with ourselves. Through this self-examination we find the things that are good about us so that we can join in God's celebration of our creation. This is a crucial part of self-examination because without it we can so easily slip into the sin of self-hatred. But self examination is about honesty, so we also bring to light those aspects of our lives that we are less proud of; our failures that mar Christ's image in us.
Armed with greater self-knowledge we then, guided by the Holy Spirit, use Lent as an opportunity for self-improvement. If at this point you discover that your attitude to food is making you unhealthy, through overeating for example, then your response may be to give up a favourite food so that with the help of the Spirit you can regain control of this area of your life. If you find that you are less generous or loving than

Funerals
Please pray for the family and friends of those who have died recently.
St. Andrew's, Northwold:
Ernest Pettit, aged 92 who was commended to God's keeping on 30^th January 2003.
Alice Bird, aged 86 who was commended to God's keeping on 5^th February 2003.

"Lord Jesus, you comforted Mary and Martha in their hour of sorrow. Give comfort and support to those who mourn today that they may find peace and hope in you, the Resurrection and the Life. For your tender mercies sake. Amen."

CHILDREN'S SOCIETY BOXES
Jenny Elsey is holding a Coffee Morning & Box Opening for the Childrens Society on Saturday 5th April from 10.30 at Cumberland House, Old Methwold Road, Whittington.
Would you please let her have your boxes as soon as possible or bring them along to the coffee morning with you.
Everyone is welcome to come - not just box holders. Please come and enjoy a cup of coffee, there will also be a raffle and bring and buy stall (including homemade cakes!)

Sunday School - All Welcome
There is a Sunday School during the main service every Sunday at St. Andrew's Church, Northwold (except for Sunday's with All Age Worship). This is open to any school age child living in the villages of Northwold, Wretton, Stoke Ferry, Whittington and Brookville. If you are not able to stay with your child please drop them off by 10.50 and collect them by 12.15.

Recycling for Charity
Please save your used household batteries (AAA, AA etc.), stamps and printer ink cartridges to support Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and Dr. Barnado's. Collection bags for these can be found in the porches of All Saints', Wretton with Stoke Ferry; Christ Church, Whittington and St. Andrew's, Northwold.