THE PARISH OF ST LAURENCE-IN-THANET
Five Churches United in Christ
Pew News
Second Sunday of Lent
Sunday 5th March 2023
Should you have a gluten allergy and wish to receive communion please let one of the sides people know at least 10 minutes before the service starts so that a gluten free wafer may be provided.
Live-streaming of the service at St Laurence is not available today.
If you would like to wear a face covering or mask for your own comfort, you are more than welcome to do so.
READINGS FOR TODAY
Genesis 12:1-4, Psalm 121, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17
THE COLLECT FOR TODAY
Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth, that they may return to the way or righteousness. Grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things that are agreeable to the same. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit: - one God, now and forever. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
As March is the month for turning from winter to spring it is generally regarded as an unpleasant month – with us anticipating and hoping for spring yet still experiencing winter.
“Nature gives every time and season beauties of its own” Charles Dickens
PEOPLE FOR PRAYER
Those in need of our prayers: Colin, Lynne, Mick, Brenda, Andy, Alistair, Dave B, Peter, Shirley, Dave S, Kevin, Margaret, David, Dennison and those who are known personally to you.
Communication link - What’s on this week
TODAY
18:30 Evening Service St Mark - CM
MONDAY 6th
10:30 Collective Worship St Laurence Junior School
16:00-17:00 Baby Ballet St Laurence Parish Hall
TUESDAY 7th
10:00 “Footprints” – bereavement group St Laurence Parish Hall
Contact Marcia 01843 585366
10:30-11:30 Belleplate Group St Mark
Contact Jan Austin 01843 582993:
13:15-14:15 NHS St Mark
19:30-21:00 Bell Ringing Practice St Laurence Tower
Contact Freda Parker: freda.parker@sky.com
19:45 Home Group - Bible Study Contact 01843 583103
WEDNESDAY 8th March
10:00-12:00 Knit and Natter – 50p for coffee St Mark Lounge
Contact Frances Barnes: barnesfrances534@gmail.com
18:00-21:00 Guides/Brownies St Laurence Parish Hall
18:15-19:30 Northwood Singers St Mark
19:00 Home Group - Bible Study Contact peterene@tiscali.co.uk
THURSDAY 9th
14:00-16:00 Acorn Club - Social Group St Laurence Parish Hall
Contact Zoë Story: story21@talktalk.net
14:30-16:00 Thursday Fellowship – see notices St Mark Lounge
Contact Prim Williamson: 01843 594512
FRIDAY 10th
11:00-12:00 Prayer Group St Mark Lounge
16:00 - 21:00 Guides/Brownies St Mark Hall
10:15-11:30 Thanet School of Dance St Mark Hall
SATURDAY 11th
19:00-22:00 Jimmy Locke Dance Class St Mark Hall
Notices and Forthcoming Events
FUNERAL FOR JANET LENNOX: Mum’s funeral will be taking place on Tuesday 7th March 2023 at 1pm at Margate Crematorium. Instead of flowers, the family would prefer a donation to be shared between St Laurence Church and Operation Smile [up-dated info] (www.operationsmile.org.uk) – a charity Mum has supported for years. After: at Pegwell Bay Hotel, Pegwell Road, Ramsgate. It would be helpful if you could let me know by 2nd March, if you are hoping to attend the celebration. booker_sue@hotmail.com - Sue Booker
MEMORIAL SERVICE: On Sunday March 12th at 3pm there will be a memorial service for Carole Bean at St Mark's. It will be a simple service in which we will remember her through favourite Bible readings and hymns. There will be opportunity to share memories during the service. Do come and join us and remember Carole and all she has done for parish, deanery and diocese - Rev Phil Barnes
FUNERAL OF JOHN VINSON: The funeral of John Vinson (churchwarden of St Mary’s, Cliffsend) will be held at St Mary’s Church, Minster, at 11:30 on Tuesday, the 14 March, followed by his burial in Minster cemetery – Rev Ken Cox
THURSDAY FELLOWSHIP: The programme for the rest of March is as follows:
Thursday 9 March Canterbury Cathedral talk – Frances Barnes
Thursday 16 March History of the Simnel cake
Thursday 23 March ‘Odds & Bobs’ - Vicki Kemp
These all take place at St Mark’s.
SPRING BARGAIN BONANZA: Saturday, 25th March 10:30-1pm at St Laurence Parish Hall. Refreshments on sale. Card and contactless payments accepted.
“MANPOWER” IN THE BENEFICE OF ST LAURENCE: The current leadership team of the parish is Rev. Ken and our two parochial wardens: Sharon Cutler and Kevin Spain. Rev Ken is available every Wednesday for the parish and has
pastoral responsibility for St Mary. Rev Brian has pastoral responsibility for St Catherine and Rev Phil for St Mark – Zoe Story
[This information is being published so that everyone across the benefice understands the current responsibilities while we are in interregnum.]
FOOD BANK: The reasons given for using the food bank are numerous, these are at the top of the list: 1. Benefit related 2. Zero-hours contract 3. Ill health. Are you taking part in the Lent Challenge? An item of food given for each day of Lent [btw – Sundays are not included in the 40 days of Lent].
PARISH ACTIVITIES: Are there any more regular activities that happen in the parish that should be included in this Pew News publication? If so, please contact Julia Penn (details at end page) with details. Many thanks.
PARISH OFFICE: There are many tasks involved in running the parish, if you think you could help as a volunteer, please contact Alison Willoughby-Browne on treasurer@stlaurenceparish-ramsgate.org.uk
WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY
March 12th 2023
Readings: Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42
St Laurence, St Lawrence
10:00 Communion Rev Brian Griffiths
St Catherine, Manston
10:00 Service of the Word Cheryl Belsey & Julia Penn
St Christopher, Newington
Shared service at St Mark
St Mark, Northwood
10:00 Communion Rev Phil Barnes
18:30 Evening Worship Christine Martin
Joshua 1:1-11, Ephesians 6:10-24, Psalm 21:1-7
St Mary, Cliffsend
10:00 Service of the Word Frances Barnes
PARISH OFFICE
2 Newington Road, Ramsgate, CT11 0QT
Please note that the office only has volunteers manning it. Regularly, this is Sue Cox on a Thursday morning.
Here are some useful contacts:
Parochial Wardens: Sharon Cutler warden2@stlaurenceparish-ramsgate.org.uk
Kevin Spain kmschurchwarden @hotmail.com
Parish Treasurer: Alison Willoughby-Browne treasurer@stlaurenceparish-ramsgate.org.uk
Items for Pew News may be left for Julia Penn via text message on 07979 989115
or email diamond-jules@hotmail.co.uk
