benefice.administrator@berwickchurch.org.uk
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Dear All,
Passiontide begins this Sunday, meaning there are two weeks of Lent remaining. Next week the Palm Sunday service is a united service at Berwick at 10 a.m. beginning outside.
The Collect Prayer today frames the cross as the ultimate conflict between good and evil. One which was happening in a spiritual dimension, visibly Christ appeared a victim, spiritually he was victorious.
Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Material for the final Lent meeting is attached for those who want to look at it beforehand. It includes a recap of this week to bring anyone who couldn’t make it up to date.
SERVICES
09.30 – Alciston
09.30 – Arlington
11.00 - Berwick
11.00 – Wilmington
Evening Prayer is once again being held in Wilmington Church at 5pm.
We are, however, also Zooming, so if you'd like to join us, please email me at revshirleym@gmail.com and I shall send you the link.
NOTICES
Sunday 17th March, 3pm, Melody Magpies, Berwick Church:
27th March, 7pm Ash Wednesday by T.S. Eliot, Berwick Church:
Please let people know about the performance– see attached poster and book on Eventbrite if you can just so we have an idea of numbers. It is free.
Saturday 30th March, 2pm – Easter Egg Hunt, Wilmington Church
Thursday 4th April, 10.00am – 13.00pm – Paper Bluebell Making Workshop, Wilmington Vicarage:
Would you like to learn to make crepe paper bluebells?
As part of our celebration of bluebell season and in gratitude for all the hard work that goes into the Bluebell Walk every year, we want to decorate Arlington church with everlasting bluebells for the duration of bluebell season, and we'd like to involve as many people as possible.
The process is very easy, nothing has to be perfect - it's quantity we're aiming for - and you can team up and work together with others if you feel less nimble-fingered! Instructions and all materials provided, but please bring your favourite pair of small scissors if you have one. Round up your friends and indulge in a bunch of everlasting bluebells!
Wilmington Vicarage on Thursday 4th April between 10-1.
For further information, please contact me at bloomnicola@yahoo.co.uk
27th April, 10 – 4pm, Presence in the Sanctuary, Berwick Church:
Ruth Nares is driving to Ukraine in May - please see her letter below giving more information and ways it is possible to support.
Dear All,
Some of you will have received my earlier letter about my upcoming drive to Lviv, Ukraine – and to those who have already so generously given can I again say thank you – it is appreciated more than I can say. This is to those who may not have seen it and I will try to set it out briefly. (There is a website address at the bottom here which can tell you more)
I leave on 4th May as part of a ‘convoy’ – taking six vehicles filled with medical and humanitarian aid to Lviv, Ukraine. I’m joining an existing team of like-minded people who feel strongly about the invasion and the plight of Ukraine – now two years on – and want to help in any small way we are able to.
We are not a registered charity, so have no administrative or overhead costs, operating on a level of personal trust. Eurotunnel sponsors the Channel Crossing and all personal travel costs and cost of diesel will be funded by those of us driving the vehicles. This means all of the money raised will be used to buy (here in the UK) the vehicles (past their prime but roadworthy) and items requested by our contacts in Ukraine. Both get almost immediately delivered to paramedics on the front line and hospitals.
It’s a tragic fact that soldiers have died not through lack of care but both through lack of appropriate medical equipment, and the crucial time it takes transporting them to the nearest hospital (field hospital or further). This is a way of giving practical support to those who fight and care for the injured, with both providing the vehicles and very extensive medical supplies. The Ukrainians are enormously appreciative, and in January two hospitals were added to those we’re helping, including (amongst a long list, which I’m happy to send you upon request) ultrasound, ventilators and defibrillators – to treat both civilian and military patients.
The team has so far made five trips, and includes organiser Paul Parsons, Oleh Naida and his wife Uliana who are Ukrainians temporarily living in Towcester, Anthony White in charge of sourcing the vehicles, and Tisha Sykes as Treasurer. Oleh has accompanied each aid trip and plays a vital role in liaising with Ukrainian authorities and our contacts once in Ukraine. (having three young children he is exempt from military duty). Uliana establishes the priorities of those we are supporting and acts as buyer of aid. The money spent on medical aid and vehicles is more or less equal parts – 50/50.
For this, each driver is tasked with raising a target of £9000 (so £18,000 per vehicle). I have so far raised almost £5000 (which seems miraculous!) – with one anonymous donation of £1000, and just this week £1000 via a friend of a friend’s contact, from the Storrington and Pulborough Rotary club. The most in fact though has been through the generosity of friends from all over in varying much smaller amounts – including from our very own Benefice – truly inspiring. Every donation makes a difference - it all adds up - and if, as others have, you would like to or feel moved to support this mission and contribute it would be hugely appreciated. Whilst May is still a couple of months away, purchasing has already begun, but is dependent on what budget we have.
There are three ways it’s possible to give:
1. via this JustGiving site:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mayukrainedrivenares
2. By bank transfer:
Account - Paul Parsons;
Account number 55560580;
Sort code: 15-99-00
The account is solely for Ukraine Aid, though, (if asked) due to the bank’s new anti-fraud software it reads as a personal account.
3. By CAF voucher of charity cheque. Peterborough Cathedral as a registered charity have kindly agreed to act as 'banker' where cheques need to be paid into a charity account. Your CAF voucher or charity cheque should be made payable to
'Peterborough Cathedral Chapter (AFU)', and posted to our treasurer: Patricia Sykes, Ukraine Aid, The Old Rectory, 1 Banbury Road, Litchborough, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN1 28J.
You would of course have a full report about the trip once back. You can also read and learn more about the team and previous trips undertaken from our website: www.ukraineaidmission2024.com
With sincere thanks
Ruth Nares
Email: ruthnares@hotmail.co.uk
Tel: 01323 811 186