February 2026 (taken from The Link Magazine)

So I can see a difference in daylight hours increasing. Yes the dark mornings continue but come five pm at going home time, no longer pitch black, I can see my way from the car to the house so little improvements which is heartening. How are you all doing in early 2026?

Didn’t we have fun in Church on Sunday 11th with our volley of confetti canons and party poppers whizzing about? I will try and attach my favourite photo for you all. Thank you for coming in on the secret and joining in with the fun. It was definitely an unforgettable memory for us all and so very proud of our Father John and all he achieves. The service in the afternoon was a privilege to attend – a lovely end to the day. A good Sunday full of inspiration and love.

So now we look forward. Lent will be upon us shortly – always lovely to start it with Shrove Tuesday (who doesn’t love a pancake or 10). Always a spiritual journey every year with the joy of Easter at the end. Walking with Christ throughout Lent is such an important part of our faith ending with the very emotive Passion played out over the Easter weekend.

Recently we have had a bit of an influx of new members to our worshipping community. I did pick up on the fact that one family just could not get to grips with where they were in the service and when we started singing the Gloria, looked in the Hymn Book.

Would it be an idea for us all to take on board, that if there are new people in the congregation, just look out for them. Check they are comfortable with our services – maybe gently relocate to closer to them to support them to feel at home – just some gentle love and guidance which I am sure we can do with aplomb. I remember feeling uncertain in a new environment and that is not conducive to good worship. It shouldn’t be a case of if you go enough, you will get the hang of it. Just little ways in which we could excel.

A jumble sale is looming and for once I don’t have that much stock so we really do need to appeal for jumble asap. I can cope with some jumble being popped in my car to store in the meantime but otherwise to utilize the space under the pew behind where the coffees are served. Not wanting to look like a junk yard if at all possible. If it goes in my car, I do have the advantage of sorting some of it out in preparation for the event. Our January one is usually one of the best for the year with the potential of raising about £700 – definitely not to be sniffed at. However we could do with help clearing the stuff at the end. Trips out to the Charity warehouse in Ridgewood are good. With the trips to the tip at Maresfield, of course we will now have to prebook which only the drivers can do – it is quite easy online needing your address and registration number for your car. The advantage is that you can make as many trips as you can fit into that half hour slot – you just have to look lively!!

I think that is it for now.

Keep safe, keep warm, be kind to yourself as well as others.

Love

Dee