Sunday 28 March 2021: Palm Sunday

We're back!!  Unfortunately, we were unable to publish the online newsletter last week but all is well and we are glad to be back.

To include articles on this sheet contact Valda Pearson on 07751 663339 or email valdaapearson@gmail.com by Tuesday evening. 

Did you remember to put your clock forward?

10:15    Parish Eucharist in church and live streamed

Last week the parish eucharist was viewed 510 times on Facebook.  This is remarkable but also proves that those who can't get to church at the moment can continue to join in with worship wherever they are.  

Please pass on the link https://www.facebook.com/Eccle...so we can bring hope to all those in need of comfort at this time.

Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever

Sunday 28 March Readings:

Isaiah 50: 4 – 9a

Psalm 31: 9-16

Philippians 2: 5-11

The Passion Gospel St Mark 15: 1-39

Intercessions   

We pray for an end to coronavirus:

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose years never fail and whose mercies are new each returning day: let the radiance of your Spirit renew our lives, warming our hearts and giving light to our minds; that we may pass the coming year in joyful obedience and firm faith; through him who is the beginning and the end, your Son, Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

Those in need this week:

Maureen Dalby; Pauline Readett; Gregory McMahon; Pat Lee; Carla Brindle; Mary Brown; Andy Pearson, Maureen Brindle

Those who have been in need for some time:

Tommy Trayling; Colin Buckley; Pat Wilson; Helen Christopher; Graham Pownall; Olivia Wilson; Tony Dolan; Margaret Dolan; Audrey Batten; June Davenport; Pat Lee, Michael Walker, Gemma Kavanagh

The departed

Vera Fielding

Stanley Hill

Those whose anniversary occurs this week

William Mayor

Christopher James Jackman

James Hughes Hazelton

Joan Mackrael

Gerald James Marsh

What's on

Daily readings in the week

Monday 29 March         John 12 : 1 - 11

Tuesday 30 March        John 12 : 30 - 36

Wednesday 31 March   John 13 : 21 -32

Thursday 1 April          John 13 : 1 - 17.31b - 35

Friday 2 April              John 18 and 19

Saturday 3 April          Mark 16 : 1 - 8

The Daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer will be said in church this week at 09: 00 and 17:00.

Services on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday across the two parishes

Eucharist with hymns       19:30 Monday 29 March Christ Church

Eucharist with hymns       19:30 Tuesday 30 March St Mary

Said Eucharist                  11:30 Wednesday 31 March St Mary

Eucharist with hymns       19:30 Wednesday 31 March Christ Church 

Choral Eucharist             19:30 Thursday 1 April St Mary

The Solemn Liturgy         14:00 Good Friday 2 April St Mary

Vigil and Liturgy of Light  19:30 Saturday 3 April St Mary’s

Parish Eucharist               10:15 Easter Day 4 April St Mary

Next Week:

4 April  Easter Day, White

Readings:     

Acts 10: 34-43, Colossians 3: 1-4; John 20: 1-18

Weekly church running costs - £1901

THE COST OF KEEPING OPEN OUR CHURCH is £14 PER PERSON PER WEEK – current levels of giving work out at £5 per person per week increasing the gap between incomings and outgoings even further.  The financial situation is becoming increasingly worrying.  Please help as much as you can. Forms are available to make a Standing Order if you would prefer to contribute in this way. Forms are available for tax payers from the treasurer or Gift Aid Secretary, Eric Smith. Please make sure you have completed yours. Gift Aiding raised £11,707 in year 2019.

 Eccleston St Marys PCC Sort Code 09-01-55 A/c 23903081

CONTACT DETAILS

Rector                  Fr Andrew Brown        01257 452777

Church Warden     Gill Jamieson             01257 451863

Church Warden     Garry Fishwick           07885 839067

Weddings              Andrea Cheetham      01257 451932

Baptisms              Claire Walsh               01257 433167

Funerals               Linda Thornton          01257 451075

PCC Secretary       valdaapearson@gmail.com  

The following daily intentions are suggested:

Monday        Reduced Dependence on Plastics

Tuesday        Those working in Hospitality & Tourism

Wednesday   Spiritual writers and poets

Thursday      Clergy and Readers in the Diocese of Blackburn

Friday           Our witness to the Gospel

Saturday        An end to coronavirus

Chrism Mass - this is one of the most import events for a priest as they renew their ordination vows before the bishop and fellow priests and laity.  This year the Chrism Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Philip at St Anne's Parish Church, St Anne's on Sea.  If you would like to participate by viewing online, the service will be live streamed and you can view it at the St Anne's YouTube page on Palm Sunday at 18:00 Hrs by clicking the image above on the right.  The three oils of Chrism, Catechumens and Sick will be brought back to the parish for use in everyday ministry throughout the coming year.

Holy Week eucharistic discussions– The Diocesan Lent Guide Read Mark and Learn will be used for reflection and discussion during the Holy Week eucharists. Whatever your perspective or view you can raise points or simply listen.

Stations of the Cross is an interactive service where we walk the road alongside Jesus on the way to Calvary.  As this requires us to walk around church in a group, it is not possible to hold this service in the usual way during the pandemic.  Instead you can watch the Stations narrated and presented by members of our two parishes for the rest of this week.  The Stations will be streamed on the Facebook channel and the Parish website.  You can view the service by clicking on the picture on the left.

Coming to church

Congregational Worship has been specially permitted during the national lockdown.  The Bishop requires all churches to reopen after the Directors of Public Health in Lancashire indicated they agree congregational worship can restart and the ‘stay at home’ guidance withdrawn from this weekend.  However, we continue to be vigilant and would ask you to register your attendance, use hand sanitiser; wear a mask and remain two metres apart from others at all times. 

Singing From today the rigid restriction on singing is now relaxed.  The new rules are as follows:

Support during Coronavirus Isolation

Please continue to keep in touch with church:

The Parish Website - www.ecclestonstmaryschurch.org

Worship - online Eucharists are available through social media

Personal Contact – please request help if you require it

Prayers - Please contact Liz Green to be included.

Foundation Governors we have two further vacancies at our CE Primary School.  Contact Fr Andrew if you are interested and more information is available at the Blackburn Board of Education website (click here to direct you to their website) or specifically at the Governors' landing page on the Board of Education website.  More information about our Church of England Primary School can be found on their website by clicking on the school logo to the right.

Last week we discussed with senior staff at the Diocese the difficult financial situation we are facing as giving has not kept pace with the cost of remaining open during the pandemic.  As a result, the Diocese made an extremely generous offer to reduce the parish share request by over 20% in 2021.  However, this still means we are being asked to contribute £50,000 to support clergy stipends, training and housing costs.  This is still a significant amount but we must make this contribution this year as we are grateful for the understanding and support of the whole of the Diocesan finance team.

Giving - your donations through our contactless terminal in church can now benefit from GiftAid if you are a UK taxpayer. That means for every £5 you donate, Eccleston St Mary’s PCC receives £6.25. To help us receive this extra benefit please register your Visa and MasterCard on the Swiftaid website (by clicking on the link or the image above) before you use the terminal in church. Please contact Eric Smith if you will to join the envelope scheme.  He has a number spare.  

Also please sign up to Easyfundraising (details below) as this is such a good way to earn money for church without any effort, especially now that online purchases are increasing popular since the beginning of the pandemic.

Legacies.  Have you thought about leaving a donation to your parish church in your will.  Please speak to a Church Warden or our Treasurer about how this could be done.

Ecclesiastical Insurance runs a scheme called Trust 130.  As an insurance company they havegiven more than £430,000 to churches in the UK as part of the Trust130 campaign and now we’re extending for another year.  There is no limit on the number of donations which can be made. We could benefit from Trust130 donations of £130, if you take out anew policy with Ecclesiastical and mention St Marys, Eccleston and Trust 130:  please contact Ecclesiastical Insurance on 0800 7830 130  You can read more about the scheme by clicking the picture on the right.

It's a quiet time at the moment but you can plan ahead by lighting up the church to mark a special day, or may be some retail therapy is just want you need - don't forget to buy online during lockdown using the Easy Fundraising link to benefit our parish funds.

Book Floodlighting – it is now possible to book the floodlighting again.  Please use this form to make your request and online payment.  It only costs £10 to light up the church for one evening.  We also feature your memorial on the parish website and on our Facebook page.  Join those who have raised over £1,300 for church funds as they remember an important event or person when they have 'Lit up the Church'.

Recent Floodlighting

14 March 02021

Joyce Heyes

In Loving Memory of Humphrey William Moon from Dorothy, Joyce, Chris, Lee, Keri, Ian, Owen & Sophie

13 March 2021

Valda Pearson

In memory of Eric Gooch on the date of his birth

1 March 2021

Rachel Thompson

In loving memory of Cyril Thompson, with love from Joan and family xx Missed everyday and always in our thoughts

Coming up on 9 April Remembering George on his birthday. He is thought of and missed every day by his family and friends. Anne

Keep up with the latest news and events on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/ecclestons... select - Follow  

Keep up to date with www.ecclestonstmaryschurch.org

If you shop online, please register for Easyfundraising Cause

When you click on this link you will be able to make a small donation to our parish work each time you shop at selected retailers at no additional cost to you.  Our 62 supporters have raised £1,869.94 so for so why not join them at this time that all non essential shops are closed.  

Disability Provision

There is a hearing Loop system

Space is provided in church for wheelchair users. A wheelchair is available.                     

Disability toilet in the Parish Centre

Fire Notice   

There are two emergency exits:

Through the main door Through the Jesus Chapel (To the right of the altar) Muster by the War Memorial, await instructions