It’s not too late to join our new Alpha Course as we have only had our second meeting. It will continue at 7.30pm on Thur 7th in the Parish Hall. We start with an evening meal, so you don’t have to cook that evening! If you are interested in finding out more about the Christian faith, in a relaxed informal atmosphere, please speak to Andy H.

Christian Aid Week this year is between 10^th -16^th May and during the next few days Brenda will be contacting the small group of volunteers who regularly turn out year after year to pop envelopes through doors and collect from our parish. We are in desperate need of fresh blood! If you can help by collecting, even from just a few neighbours, work colleagues, friends or family, you will be doing something amazing. Please contact Brenda on 01375 376580 if you can help.

Luncheon Club meets this coming Wednesday at 1 pm in the Parish Hall. The cost is £1.50 for a light hot 2 course lunch with tea or coffee and the aim is to befriend and pick up neighbours or friends who are less able and who so appreciate having a meal and a chat in company. Regulars usually let June E know if they can’t come and she is grateful if newcomers phone in advance on 01375 372225.

Bishop Laurie has expressed concern for people who are worrying about debt and has asked us to publicise two helpful telephone numbers. The National Debtline (0808 808 4000) will give free advice and The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (0800 138 1111) will help you set up a debt repayment plan without charging a monthly fee.

Dates for your diary

Saturday May 9^th from 9am – Noon. Coffee morning in the Parish Hall to raise funds for and awareness of the work of Christian Aid, Kids Alive & Chikupira Foundation. Cakes – Bring & Buy – Bottle Stall – Raffle etc. Please come if you can and bring a friend.

Saturday May 16^th. Another work party has been arranged to tidy the churchyard at St Mary’s starting at 10 am.

Funerals

Please pray for the family and friends of those whose funerals have been conducted during the last two weeks...

23/04/09 Mr Thomas Covill of Basildon whose family live in N. Stifford

24/05/09 Mr Gregory Smith of High Road, North Stifford

27/04/09 Mrs Maisie Crouch of Durninge Walk, Stifford Clays

...and those funerals already arranged...

05/05/09 Mrs Olive Long, Brenda Smallcombe's mum.

07/05/09 Mr Arthur Squelch of Bradshawe Road, Stifford Clays

07/05/09 Mrs Ethel Mills of Crammavill Street, Stifford Clays

April Birthdays

1^st Mick Haggar: 2^nd Lillian Netting: 5^th Peg Halsey: 9^th Karen Sweeney: 11^th Terry Ward: 13^th Amy Pearson: 14^th Enid Dipper and Alice Deighton: 20^th Alan Suddell: 22^nd Joyce Farman and Charlie Bifield.

It’s not too late to join our new Alpha Course as we have only had our third meeting. It will continue at 7.30pm on Thur 14^th in the Parish Hall. We start with an evening meal, so you don’t have to cook that evening! If you are interested in finding out more about the Christian faith for the first time, or just reminding yourself about what you learned at a Confirmation Course 50 yrs ago (!) then this is for you. We are also looking for one or two more volunteers to cook a simple meal for the half dozen already on the course. For both items, please speak to Andy Higgs.

Christian Aid Week this year is between 10^th -16^th May and during the next few days Brenda will be contacting the small group of volunteers who regularly turn out year after year to pop envelopes through doors and collect from our parish. We are in desperate need of fresh blood! If you can help by collecting, even from just a few neighbours, work colleagues, friends or family, you will be doing something amazing. Please contact Brenda on 01375 376580 if you can help. There will also be envelopes in the both churches for you to take for your own donations and of course if you wish to take extra envelopes for friends, family and work colleagues even better!

On a very personal note I should like to thank so many of you who were kind enough to take the trouble to send messages of condolence and support after the death of my dear mum Olive – even to the extent of supporting us at mum’s funeral service. I can’t tell you how much it meant to my family and myself – thank you so much.

Bishop Laurie has expressed concern for people who are worrying about debt and has asked us to publicise two helpful telephone numbers. The National Debtline (0808 808 4000) will give free advice and The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (0800 138 1111) will help you set up a debt repayment plan without charging a monthly fee.

Saturday May 16^th. Another work party has been arranged to tidy the churchyard at St Mary’s starting at 10 am. There are plenty of jobs for everyone so do please come along and don’t forget your rubber gloves!

Also on Saturday, from 2 – 4pm we will be giving you the opportunity to sample another of our famous St. Mary’s Cream Teas and we hope that as many of you as possible will give in to temptation, indulge yourself and also raise some money for Christian Aid!

For those involved in our Prayer Ministry Teams, or who think that this is something that God is calling you into, there is a training day for fellowships in the area on Sat 6^th June at St John’s, Victoria Ave. The day lasts from 9.15am to 4.30pm – see Andy H. for details.

Funerals: please pray for the family and friends of those whose funerals have been conducted during the last three weeks...

23/04/09 Mr Thomas Covill of Basildon whose family live in N. Stifford

24/05/09 Mr Gregory Smith of High Road, North Stifford

27/04/09 Mrs Maisie Crouch of Durninge Walk, Stifford Clays

05/05/09 Mrs Olive Long, Brenda Smallcombe's mum.

07/05/09 Mr Arthur Squelch of Bradshawe Road, Stifford Clays

07/05/09 Mrs Ethel Mills of Crammavill Street, Stifford Clays

1^st Mick Haggar: 2^nd Lillian Netting: 5^th Peg Halsey: 9^th Karen Sweeney: 11^th Terry Ward: 13^th Amy Pearson: 14^th Enid Dipper and Alice Deighton: 20^th Alan Suddell: 22^nd Joyce Farman and Charlie Bifield.