Newsletter

FROM REV SHEIL

Dear brothers and sisters,
I hope and pray that the journey through the Easter season, was a time of personal renewal, refreshment and a deeper experience of the Risen and ascended Christ.
As we continue to journey on, as a family, there is no time to lounge around, instead we need to become more aware of all that God would have his children to do, to learn and to share his love with the wider community. With the new
Parochial Council in place and with the continuing ministry of the wardens, we all need to unite to share the WORD. Let us read and meditate on the scriptures to deepen our faith, to enable us to trust the Lord and see the great things that He would accomplish through His Church at St Stephens.
Each one of us has a gift, to use in the life of the Church, for God’s glory.
We are travelling through difficult times, families are affected because of the government’s austerity measures,
difficulty in finding jobs, financial pressures and a sense of hopelessness. We are channels of God love and peace. How can we be more aware of the difficulties of our neighbours, and offer to lend them a helping hand. God has promised to be with us in all situations provided we come together in prayer, for us to overcome the challenges before us.
All who believe in the name of Jesus have the right to be children of God, what a profound promise, of knowing that through Jesus we have access to the Father, who provides for all our needs.

With All God’s blessings
Love
Revd   Sheila  

Pastoral Visiting Team and Eucharist lay ministers.
Important date for your diary 9th June 2012, 11am
in the Church vestry
We will spend time in conversation, on how to be a caring Church for the folks of the community – Love in action.
The meeting is for all who have been involved in visiting members in the community.
All those who want to be part of the visiting team, and for all who want to know what it involves.
A warm welcome awaits each one of you. See you then
Revd Sheila.


FAMILY AWAY DAY – Sheering
Date for your diary 14th July 2012
More details to follow soon.

Report on the AMP and APCM on Tuesday 17th April 2012
12 people attended the meetings.  The first part was just to elect Churchwardens for the next year.  
As there were only two nominees, Steve Burnett and Jacqueline Paddock, they were both returned on a unanimous show of hands.

The second part of the meeting opened with the Electoral Roll.  There has been no change from last year so Steve Jack (chair) proposed that it be adopted, this was seconded and everyone agreed.  The minute taker was appointed.
We then had reports from the PCC secretary, Churchwardens and Treasurer; unfortunately the
accounts have not yet been audited and will have to be accepted by the PCC later.  There were also
reports from the Deanery Synod representatives and a report from Marilyn Pearce on children's work.
There were 3 nominations for places on the PCC, Pat Hardie, Sue Johnson and Anne Keeble.  As there were no other nominations they were accepted with a unanimous show of hands. Steve Jack has decided not to stand for re-election and will therefore not serve on the new PCC.  The sides’ persons were re-elected en-bloc.
 Andrew Walker was appointed and Independent Examiner.

The 'Big Pray Inn’
 is an opportunity for families and children’s groups from churches, schools or communities to come together to explore in a really fun way what prayer can mean for them. There will be quiet areas, noisy areas, musical areas and active areas, puppets and drums in the Cathedral and Chapter House.

Transforming Presence highlights the need to focus on prayer in our lives if we are to live distinctly, but how, when, where? And how do we pray alongside, with and for our children? Come along and explore some new ways of connecting with God.

Do ask members of your congregation to get booked in quickly as numbers are limited by space. Don’t miss out on this chance to get together with other children’s groups and families from all over the Diocese. It is a great encouragement for small groups of children particularly to meet with others and realise just how many of them belong to the church across our Diocese.

Please click here to download the poster.
For bookings please visit -
www.chelmsford.anglican.org/family-festival

More information from:
 Pat Prestney - patprestney@yahoo.com
or Rachel Orford -   rorford@chelmsford.org.uk  (01245 294441).

Look forward to seeing your church represented.

OLYMPIC TORCH.
All musicians and singers are invited to sing and play on the bus that is preceding the torch by one hour on the route of the 7th  July 2012.
 
All who are interested in joining this act of Christian praise please contact Liz Read.    r.read@theiet.org

Riding lights 15th May 7:30 pm

in Blake Hall Barn, Stony Lane, Bobbingworth Ongar (see Blake halls website for directions). A chance to see  live this internationally renowned Theatre company as they tour the UK with a comedy take on the Olympics. Riding Lights grew out of St Michael’s Church in York and are well worth seeing. For a sneak preview follow this link
http://youtu.be/hdHSVxpKWBw
Tickets available from Vernon Ross, (01277899886)  
Rachel Capel -Cure or directly from Riding lights website. £12.50. This is not a fund raiser, but Bobbingworth Church have paid for Riding Lights to come, as part of our take on the Olympics.