NEWS & VIEWS

Today’s Gospel contains a powerful and simple exhortation from Jesus: “Do not worry about your life”! Jesus asks, rhetorically, “can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” We know it makes sense, and coming from Jesus we can (should?) take it as a commandment rather than just a good piece of advice, yet many find this one of the hardest things to do.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING today we celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Harvest (Harvest Festival). This is the annual thanksgiving to God for his provision for us, and an opportunity for us to return something of that provision by way of bringing harvest gifts for those less fortunate. Your gifts (whether money or in kind) will be given to The Welcome Centre on St Mary’s Road, which works with homeless people. To give money, please use the card machine at the back of church. Thank you for your generosity.

HOUSE SOUGHT Some members of our church family are looking for a 2-3 bedroom house to rent in the area. If you can help, please speak to Geethu or call 07587 410446.

ENGLISH FOR WOMEN St Paul’s Goodmayes is urgently looking for volunteers to join the team at their English for Women (only) sessions on Thursday mornings in school term-time. This is not formal teaching but facilitating conversation to help reduce isolation and vulnerability. All materials are provided and no advance preparation is required. They are also looking for volunteers to help with the crêche. For more information, please contact: admin@englishforwomen.org.

COURSE IN CHRISTIAN STUDIES Run by the diocese, this is an opportunity to explore the faith with others. The course lasts two years, with weekly meetings in local groups around the diocese or online. Some taster sessions have been programmed, starting this Wednesday. Details: tinyurl.com/xianstudies or dhardy@chelmsford.anglican.org / 01245 294449.

SAYING GOODBYE SERVICE At 6pm on Sunday (the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week) in Chelmsford Cathedral, the Mariposa trust (sayinggoodbye.org), which supports people who have lost babies at any stage, is holding a special service, at which all are welcome, especially those affected by the loss of a baby or who are grieving that they have never had children.

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.

ILFORD COMMUNITY GROCERY for £5 a year anyone can fill their grocery basket twice a week for £4 each time at City Gates, 25-29 Clements Road, between 9.30 and 4.30 Monday-Friday. The quality of the food available is very good and free support courses are on offer at the same venue. Details at communitygrocery.org.uk/ilford or from 020 3422 6511. There are flyers at the back of church.

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR

the sick, distressed and bereaved
John & Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Lucy Ball, Amberly Crediton, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Mel Taylor, Bernard Street, Muriel Masters, Keith Holland, Sally Cox, Matthew, Jacqui & Leslie Haigh, Bibi Bacchus, Fr Michael, Fr Elwin Cockett, Lissy Sunny, David Cook; Renate Arnold

the recently departed 

Elianne Andam, Taye Faik

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Frederick Joy, Gordon Ayres

Monday

George Decker

Tuesday

Theophilus Dash, Leonard Jones

Saturday

Janet Gorman, Ruby Wren

please pray especially for

an end to knife violence

ORDER OF SERVICE