NEWS & VIEWS

Today we celebrate Candlemas, or The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. The child Jesus, taken to the temple according to Jewish law, at 40 days old, is recognised by Simeon and Anna as ‘a light to lighten the gentiles’ and ‘the glory of God’s people Israel’. But the redemption he will bring must be won through suffering; Simeon’s final words - heard in our Gospel reading - move our attention towards the events of Holy Week and Easter.

TODAY the liturgical season of Christmas ends and we celebrate Candlemas - the Feast (transferred from 2 February) of The Presentation of Christ in Temple, when Simeon and Anna recognised Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.

CANDLEMAS APPEAL As is our tradition, we are asking for donations towards the cost of consumable items we use for our worship (wafers, incense, wine and candles). Please donate if you can: online at https://givi.ng/pw0z, by using the card machine in church (selecting ‘Candlemas’ on the screen), by cash in the marked box, or by cheque made payable to ‘St Mary’s Ilford PCC’ (these can be sent to The Vicarage, 26 South Park Road, Ilford, IG1 1SS, with a note saying, ‘Candlemas Gifts’.) Thank you in advance for your generosity.

CHURCH SPRING CLEAN We’re hoping that many hands will make light work for our annual spring clean at 11am on the first Saturday in Lent - 17 February. Lunch will be provided.

MAILING LIST Anyone wishing to receive a weekly e-mail from us with notice of our services and other events/news, should subscribe via stmarysilford.org.uk, or by completing a blue ‘HELLO’ card.

THE ONE WHO SINGS PRAYS TWICE Singing is an important part of Christian prayer and worship. We use our voices to proclaim the praises of God. Singing is also good for us - it is said to improve mental well-being. We are fortunate to have a choir - albeit small - and cantors to lead us in our worship, but they are not there to sing for us, but rather to sing with us.  I encourage you to lift your voices and join in with the hymns and sung parts of the Mass with confidence. Fr Gareth

JOAN COULTART RIP We learned recently that Joan passed away in hospital on 13 August last year at the age of 99. Jesu mercy, Mary pray.

FR GARETH will be taking a sabbatical from 3 June to 31 August, studying the Church in Lithuania and working alongside clergy there. During that time he will be off duty; we are delighted that Fr Stephen Pugh (see below) has agreed to look after the parish. For every 10 years in ordained ministry, clergy are encouraged to take a three-month sabbatical for study, rest and retreat. This will be Fr Gareth’s first since he was ordained in 2006, so it is well overdue!

FR STEPHEN PUGH has announced his retirement as Vicar of our sister church, St Margaret of Antioch, and his last Sunday will be Easter Day. He won’t be moving far away from the area and so we will be still be seeing him, especially when he looks after the parish during Fr Gareth’s sabbatical (see above). We wish him a healthy and happy retirement when it comes.

RESTORED PROCESSIONAL CROSS Before Christmas the PCC commissioned the restoration of a 19th century processional cross that has not been in use for many decades. We are delighted with it, and although it is very heavy, hope to use it for special occasions. It is on display today next to the pulpit; please do have a look! At the same time the paschal candle stand and a number of silver pieces were repaired and refurbished.

REGULAR GIVING Giving to fund the ministry of the Church is an essential part of our Christian faith. Please, if you don’t already, would you consider giving a regular amount? No amount is too small. Using our parish giving scheme is easy and you are in full control (and Margaret Quinney will be pleased to help you if needed). One-off donations can be made using the Parish Giving Scheme, or with the card machine at the back of church, or by putting cash/cheques in the offering plate. Cheques should be made payable to St Mary’s Ilford PCC.

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY

for the sick, distressed and bereaved
Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Lucy Ball, Amberly Crediton, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Mel Taylor, Bernard Street, Keith Holland, Matthew, Leslie Haigh, Bibi Bacchus, Fr Elwin Cockett, Jeanmarie Morton, Alastair Ogilvie, Paul Zmak, Caroline & Hugo Furzland; Denis Deasey

for the recently departed 

for those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Monday

Doris Richards, Rose Taylor

Tuesday

John Fairweather, Elliott Riley, Cyril Mason

Wednesday

Emmie Fisher, Iris Bloomfield

Friday

Ronald Wren

please pray especially for

peace in the Holy Land and Ukraine

ORDERS OF SERVICE