#513 A pocket full of posies
Most mice get a full helping of nature. I, a humble church mouse, don’t get out much. I am quite happy nestled in my mouse hole in the choir, without having to worry about those red kites that hover over the churchyard every day. But this week I have heard rumours of a lot of nature making its way to church. I’m told there will be posies as this week is Mothering Sunday. I’ll keep my eyes open, though. Could one of those kites be hiding among the daffodils? I think I’m safer with the stone flowers above the pillars in the nave…
Fr Sam writes
It’s been a particularly busy week in my world this week, with school governor meetings, deanery meetings, and another 120 pupils from the Holt School coming to find out about our church.
This Sunday is of course Mothering Sunday, when we take a brief respite from the long solemnity of Lent and pay particular attention to mothers. Those who normally attend St Nicholas come to the parish “mother church” at St Paul’s: it will be very good to be together.
I must call to your attention one last time this Sunday evening, when Bishop Mary will be preaching at Evensong on the subject of Lust as part of our series on the Seven Deadly Sins. It should be a very interesting occasion – though we only narrowly averted a rather disturbing reading about eye-gouging that would have made it a great deal more interesting…
This Sunday: behold your mother
This Sunday we hear of two mothers: Hannah and Mary, and their stories of love and loss.
The first reading is from the first book of Samuel (1 Samuel 1.20-28): we hear about how Hannah offered her precious son Samuel into the service of God. The second reading tells us of the Crucifixion, where Jesus entrusted his mother Mary and his beloved disciple John into each other’s care (John 19.25-27).
Image: “Mary and John at the foot of the Cross” by Hieronymous Bosch
Services this Sunday
| 8am | St Paul’s | BCP Mass | Fr Sam Tanna-Korn | |
| 9.30am | St Paul’s | Parish Mass | Fr Sam Tanna-Korn | |
| Prelude: La Vergine degli angeli (La forza del destino) – Verdi; arr. Setchell Anthem: Irish Blessing – Chilcott Voluntary: Hymne et Fugue sur Ave Maris Stella – De Grigny | ||||
| 10am | Woosehill Church | Songs of Praise | Revd Cara Smart | |
| 6.30pm | St Paul’s | Choral Evensong | Fr Sam Tanna-Korn & Rt Revd Mary Gregory | |
Stations of the Cross
The traditional devotion of Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday during Lent at midday. This devotion uses the fourteen images around St Paul’s to explore the journey of Jesus to Calvary and is a powerful way to meditate upon his suffering and love. It lasts about 40 minutes and each week is led by a different member of the church community.
Community Showcase
St Nicholas’ Church and Emmbrook Village Hall Committee invite you to our Community Showcase. Come and join us to meet some of the people and local groups that make Emmbrook special.
The event is on Saturday 21 March between 2 and 4pm in Emmbrook Village Hall. It is part of the St Nicholas 50th birthday celebrations.
Remembering mothers
Revd Judi Hattaway would like to point us to the resources provided by the Mothers’ Union. These are gifts to support mothers around the world in difficult circumstances. You could look to these as a good way to commemmorate mothers who are no longer with us.
Good Friday children’s activities
A children’s activity morning is being planned for Good Friday along the lines of previous years. We would be very grateful for volunteers to man the various stations. Please let Pauline Wells know if you are interested in helping – paulinewells@ntlworld.com
This week’s calendar: the earthly father of our Lord
Next Thursday 19 March is the feast day of St Joseph, earthly father of Jesus. Joseph was called from his ordinary life of labour and craft to a new one, protecting and caring for this child and his mother, taking them into exile and bringing them home again. We know little about him, but he is known as the patron saint of the Church.
Image: “Joseph the Carpenter” by Georges de la Tour.
