NEWS & VIEWS

VOCATIONS SUNDAY today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is known as Vocations Sunday (or Good Shepherd Sunday) and is marked as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The purpose of this day is to fulfil Our Lord’s instruction to “ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9. 38). While appreciating all vocations, on this day in particular the Church prays for the raising up of shepherds for God’s people - vocations to Holy Orders (the priesthood and diaconate) and to the religious life - while encouraging all who are discerning their vocation to pray more earnestly that they may hear and respond to God’s call.

ST MARY’S OFFICERS As explained last Sunday, we are asking members of our church family to seriously consider the call to serve as churchwarden for a minimum term of 12 months from June this year, and for a Treasurer to serve likewise. These are important and significant roles within the life of our parish, but also ones that are rewarding. Please pray daily that God would raise up lay leaders from among our number, and also that we all might consider how we can contribute to our life together at St Mary’s.

ACS LENT BOXES If you have one, please return your Additional Curates Society Lent box to Hilary Hardwick as soon as you can.

ELECTORAL ROLL REVISION Our official membership register, known as the Electoral Roll, is currently being revised until tomorrow. If you are already on the roll you need do nothing. If you are not, and are a regular here, we strongly encourage you to join. If you are unsure, please ask Emma Jeffery - emma@stmarysilford.org.uk. Application forms are now available on paper in church.

MIRFIELD RETREAT There are still places left on this retreat, which is from 24 - 27 May. Please speak to Fr Gareth if you would like to join or for more information. 

SPONSORED WALK on Saturday 28 May Nicky Tann is trekking 26 miles to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society. You can donate at tinyurl.com/nickytann or by giving her cash.

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR

the sick, distressed and bereaved

John & Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Lucy Ball, Jane Kew, Amberly Crediton, Charlotte Carney, Christine Taylor, Nik, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Daniel Drake, Peter Knight, Joy Bewick, Claire Gray, Fr Jacob, Barbara Iggulden, Suzanne Spencer, Avelle Pugh, the Noory family, Karala Singham, Michael & Barbara Mann, Kate Lovesey, Bernard Street, Mel Taylor; Denis Deasey, Malcolm Avery

the recently departed

Darren Gray

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Elsie Simmans, Iris Scott

Tuesday

Mary Horne

Thursday

Evelyn Avery

Friday

William Barwick Barnes, George Dawkin

Saturday

Elizabeth Taylor, Olga Weekes

please pray for

an end to war in Europe

Fr Gareth has written 
a prayer for service to our parish 
and asks that it is prayed each day 
until the APCM on 29 May.

HOLY GOD, you call us to your service 
and our perfect freedom is found in service to you and others.

Raise up, we pray, leaders within our church family

 to serve as Churchwarden and Treasurer.

Open the ears of our hearts 
to your still small voice and give us the courage to respond.

We ask this in the name of the Servant King, 

Jesus Christ Our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

 one God for ever and ever. Amen

ORDER OF SERVICE