NEWS & VIEWS

Our celebration of Easter continues: This ‘Queen of Seasons’ lasts 50 days - and every Sunday is a ‘little Easter’. In today’s Gospel we hear of two miraculous appearances of the resurrected Jesus in locked rooms. These are not apparitions, though: Jesus’ resurrection body is physical, as ‘doubting’ Thomas finds out. Christ breathes the Holy Spirit onto his disciples and authorises and commissions them (sends them out) to forgive sins.

JEZU, UFAM TOBIE (‘Jesus, I trust in You’.) Today is sometimes called Divine Mercy Sunday: The Divine Mercy is a devotion to Jesus associated with his appearances to and conversations with the Polish Saint Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938) as recorded in her diary and other writings. Jesus is the one who brings to us the mercy of God, and in this Easter season we look to him through whose divine mercy we are reconciled and saved.

THANK YOU Many thanks to everyone who helped prepare for and/or deliver our Holy Week and Easter Day services, cleaned the church, arranged flowers, and so many other things.

EVENSONG WITH THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK All are specially invited to Evensong at Chelmsford Cathedral at 3.30pm on Sunday 30 April (Easter 4). The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell will preach, and the portrait of him made when he was the tenth Bishop of Chelmsford (from 2010-2020) will be unveiled. To help with seating and refreshments, please register at tinyurl.com/abychelmsford for a free ticket. There will be no Evening Prayer at St Mary’s that day.

KING’S CORONATION On Sunday 7 May (Easter 5) we will celebrate this historic event including - if we can assemble enough volunteers - a buffet lunch and drinks.

ELECTORAL ROLL REVISION Our official membership register, known as the Electoral Roll, is being revised Saturday until Monday 1 May. If you are already on the roll you need do nothing. If you are a regular here, and are baptised and aged 16 or over, we strongly encourage you to join. If you are unsure, or for more information, please ask Emma Jeffery - emma@stmarysilford.org.uk. Application forms are available on paper in church and to download with the link below. 

REGULAR GIVING We rely on the people who worship at St Mary’s to cover the costs associated with our church. Financial giving to fund the ministry of the Church is part of being a Christian and an essential part of our commitment to our faith. Please, if you don’t already, would you consider giving a regular amount each month? We are really struggling to make ends meet! No amount is too small. Using our parish giving plan is easy and you are in full control (and Margaret Quinney will be pleased to help you if needed).

PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM We have booked twelve places for a pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Shrine at Walsingham (walsinghamanglican.org.uk) from Monday 15 - Thursday 18 April. The total price - including full board and travel by coach - is estimated at £380 each. Please sign the list at the back of church if you would like to come, and secure your place with a £10 deposit. If you would like further information, please ask Hilary Hardwick.

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR

the sick, distressed and bereaved
John & Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Sam, Lucy Ball, Amberly Crediton, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Mel Taylor, Bernard Street, Muriel Masters, Keith Holland, Helen Johnson, Joe & Sally Cox, Kay Higgins, Edward, Peter Decker, Matthew, Jacqui & Leslie Haigh, Bibi Bacchus, Awin, Margaret Hopwood; Charlie Brinkley

the recently departed

Joan Moore

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

William Forge

Monday

Olive Edwards, Dennis Christian, Thomas Jones

Tuesday

Kenneth Avery, Joyce Pink

Wednesday

Frances Nicholls

Thursday

Stephen Pegg priest

please pray especially for

The Eastern Orthodox Church

ORDER OF SERVICE