HOW MUCH TO OFFER

The days are beginning to draw out, but it can still be difficult to get going.  Some people suffer from a lack of daylight during the winter months; I have certainly noticed that the days here are all longer than when I was living in Scotland, or more recently Cumbria.  You may have made New Year resolutions.  The renewing of the year allows us to take stock of what we offer of ourselves to God.  So often we set ourselves unrealistic targets when trying to improve what we do.  Whether it is the latest dietary fad, or that marathon that we want to run in, it is no use setting off for the target as if we were fully trained.  We would either starve or strain every muscle in our bodies.  I, for one, do not intend to do either… although my wife tells me they might be good targets for me...

It is the same with the Christian life.  We may take inspiration from the Gospels and look at our Lord’s life or may look to a particular saint (many people in this country still have saints’ names).  There is no use in trying to start at saintly level; it is a target to work towards.  It is better to offer God one minute a day and stick to it than promise a longer time and give up through frustration.  Be realistic and build up from a small platform.  Talking of which, will this help…?

THE KEEPING OF LENT

One of the ways to keep Lent and make it different from other times of the year is to add something to our lives that we may learn more about ourselves.  This not only applies to those who are Christians, but to those who may be thinking about becoming a Christian.  These few weeks before Easter are a time of getting more used to living a structured, disciplined and informed Christian life.  To help with this I will be hosting a series of Rectory Readings during Lent.  These will be held each week on a Wednesday at 2.00 p.m.  for about an hour at the Rectory in Pound Lane, Litcham, starting from Wednesday 29th February.  Each week will stand alone and one of the following Sunday’s readings will be used as a basis for discussion.  Please come along and enjoy sharing a passage from the Bible together.  You do not need to know anything about it beforehand, or to contribute if you prefer to listen, so the session will be open to all, and a cup of tea will be offered to help you ‘recover’ afterwards, if you are able to stay.  It would be good to have a houseful!

Father Martin.

My contact details: Whichever church you look to please do not hesitate to get in touch.

I live in The Rectory, Pound Lane, Litcham, PE32 2QR and the telephone number is 01328 701 135.

My email address is frmartin.joyce@gmail.com

These details are there to use, so please use them!

Father Martin.

600 YEARS ON!

Before William the Conqueror, in the time of Edward the Confessor (1003-1066) there was a Church in Litcham.  The present building, on the old site, can be traced back to the mid-1300s by which time the Nave was built.  More was to follow and on 17th June 1412, the Feast of St Botolph, the prosperous market town of Litcham celebrated the completion of the present building, re-consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich.

There was much to celebrate.  The Chancel and East Window were re-built, the building was widened by the addition of North and South Aisles so that the width of the main building was virtually equal to its length, the Chancel arch was new, there were new pillars in the Nave and at the West End a grand new door.  (The tower was not to be built until 1669).

On 17th June 2012 on The Feast of St Botolph, exactly 600 years to the day the (present!) Bishop of Norwich will preside over and preach at our Celebration and Thanksgiving at a Special Service at 4.30 pm.

Whilst the reduction of the Victorian pews means that there is no longer seating for the 765 provided for in 1853 the building is still the same size.  There will be room (and a welcome) for all!

Jonathan Boston

CHOIR AND JUNIOR LEADERS

Our congratulations to Simon Bird on being admitted a full Chorister.

We presently have four vacancies for Choristers, particularly in school years 4 and 5, although boys outside that age range are not excluded.  With the re-organising of funding there are also financial benefits.  Enquiries to the Master of Choristers (01328 701200).

With the longer days the Junior Leaders are able to make increasing use of outside training facilities.

Although the first Camp is after Easter there is a Brass Rubbing Day in Church on Thursday 16th February (10 am to 5 pm) when Choir and Junior Leaders activities will be on display.

Jonathan Boston

Rainbows and Brownies

There are just a few vacancies for Rainbows at the moment although there is a waiting list for Brownies.

We meet weekly in Beeston on a Wednesday in the early evening.  All enquiries to All enquiries to Guider-in-charge Kim Chant 01328 701706

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NEWS from LITCHAM ALL SAINTS

Spring Events

Our first ‘Event’ is on Sunday 12th February when we provide the Refreshments for the Lexham Hall Snowdrop Walk, between 11and and 4 pm.

All the refreshment money goes to our own Parish Church, All Saints, so, lots of soup, sandwiches and cakes please.  We also have a cake stall.  We hope the weather is kind to us – look out for my notes.

The Punch ’n Pie lunch is now confirmed for Sunday 25th March – open from 12:30 for 1pm lunch, at the Jubilee Hall.  We will have a raffle and pick-a-Peg.  Some prizes are already turning up!  Tickets are £6.50 each and for that you get a choice of many lovely pies followed by lots of delicious sweets all washed down by Dave’s - now famous - punch:  not to be missed.  There will also be tea and coffee.  As is now usual we will split the money raised from this event between Litcham All Saints and Cancer Research.  Last year, with your much appreciated help we made over £2,000 for Church Funds during the year.

Thank you so much all your support and well done!

On my ‘home front’ I managed to fall over on the way to light the candles before the Carol Service (and before the mulled wine).  Bruises all round!  Chester, still full of mischief and reaches his second birthday on 3rd February.  He gets me walking three times a day, whatever the weather and likes to “help” clean the Church.

Until next Month

Love and God Bless, June