. Braceby . Humby chapel . . Lenton . . . Sapperton

Pew Sheet for 14th February 2021

Join the Celebration Worshipping together in spirit

Saint Valentine’s Day

Saint Valentine was a third century martyr in Rome. He was either a priest or a bishop who ministered to persecuted Christians. He was executed on February 14, which has been observed as the Feast of Saint Valentine since 496 AD. So where do ‘Valentines’ come into the story? Like many Christian festivals, the remembrance of Saint Valentine was used to replace a pagan festival - the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival celebrated the coming of spring and fertility. By the time of Chaucer, it was folk-knowledge that birds begin to nest on Valentine’s day. Mediaeval humans soon began to take their cue from nature, and express their romantic feelings in the form of tokens know as ‘Valentines’. Romantic love is very important, but in our pandemic blighted lives, we have seen so many other expressions of love and compassion as well. Words from our reading for today.

On this Sunday, as the grip of winter lessens, the early flowers bloom, the birds indeed begin to nest, and thirteen million people get the vaccine, we celebrate the love and compassion that has brought us through.

Our worship for saint valentine’s day can be found at: https://youtu.be/d8MR8I_tWbY

Lent 2021 Lent is our time of preparation for the great festival of Easter. Traditionally, Christian converts prepared for baptism at Easter, and all Christians kept it as a time of fasting. These days we talk about ‘giving something up’. During this pandemic we have seen how many people have lost a large part of their income, and had to turn to food banks and other charities. This Lent we are supporting two Christian charities that support the poorest in our society – Church Action on Poverty – which offers practical help to the poorest in our society; and Christians Against Poverty – which helps people to climb out of debt. Look up the work that they do – it is amazing. https://capuk.org/ & https://www.church-poverty.org.uk/

Sundays in Lent During Lent this year, our Sunday reflections will be a series of Bible Studies that relate events in the Acts of the Apostles with issues in our society today. They are provided by Church Action on Poverty. Lent is a time of growth, and it is good to grow in our own understanding of issues that are faced by people in our communities.

February 21st from Lenton: Speaking out for change – Acts 4.1-20

February 28th from Sapperton: Wealth and poverty – Acts 5.1-11

March 7th from Boothby Pagnell: Gifts and power – Acts 8.9-24

March 14th from Old Somerby: All Age Worship for Mothering Sunday

March 21st from Braceby: Identity politics and liberation – Acts 8.26-40

March 28th – Palm Sunday Procession of Palms (in some form!) Preacher – Rev’d Sonia Barron, Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations Daily reflections for the … Beginning on Ash Wednesday, 17th February, there will be a daily reflection for each of the days of Lent, consisting of a one of the sayings of Jesus, a few words about it or a picture for reflection, and a prayer.

Daily reflections for the 40 days will be sent out as emails to those who usually receive Sunday worship. If you wish to be included, email Anna at [email protected] They will also be available on the Benefice Website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/ and Ropsley Church Facebook Page

A Lent Action to consider: Are you prepared to give up one meal a week and send the cost of that meal to Church action on Poverty or Christians Against Poverty (or another charity of your choice)? Giving to Church Action on Poverty & Christians Against Poverty: Donations can be given to both charities through their websites. If that is not convenient to you, drop of your donation at the Rectory, clearly labelled with the charity of your choice.

Parish Contacts Rector Anna Sorensen 07793544238 01476586991 Boothby Pagnell Tom Blake Churchwarden 01476585898 Braceby & Humby Colin McGarrigle Churchwarden 01476585909 & Lay Minister Ingoldsby Kate Welbourne Churchwarden 01476585812 Hilary Gilbert Churchwarden 01476585979 Diana Burrows Lay Minister 01476585513 Lenton Tony Clayton Churchwarden 01476585711 & Lay Minister Peter Dobney Churchwarden 01476585766 Old Somerby Len Watson Churchwarden 01476568439 Ropsley Helen Sloss Churchwarden 01476585433 Ken Mann Lay Reader 01476585574 Sapperton & Humby Fred Mann Churchwarden 01476585905 & Lay Minister

Need someone to chat to? Contact Anna or another minister – see the list of numbers above.

Please remember in prayer

In the world: • The Uighur people of China, that world concern may bring an end to their plight and stop the abuse that they suffer. Also for the work of the WHO investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 virus, that there may be transparency, so that lessons can be learned, and future pandemics prevented. • While we give thanks for the millions who have been able to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, that we do not lose sight of the needs of poorer nations, and avoid the vaccine becoming a cause of profiteering and exploitation. • All those killed and injured by the Uttarakhand Dam disaster, and for the families of those who are still missing.

In the community and society: • All who have kept our roads clear and our services running during this cold weather. • All care givers, especially those whose caring puts them at direct risk from Covid-19. And all those volunteering in the vaccination programme. • For families juggling work and home schooling. • We give thanks for all good neighbours.

The sick: Richard Hanmer; Kathy Cheesmond, John Todd, Robert Arlott.

The departed: Roger Heaton (Liz, and all who mourn him); Joan Todd (Diane and family); Adelene Brittain (Robin and family); Barbara French (Brian, Ruth and family), Marjorie Rastall (Vivienne, John, Sally and all the family). Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.

A prayer for use on Saint Valentine’s Day: God of wonder and of joy: grace comes from you, and you alone are the source of life and love. Without you, we cannot please you; without your love, our deeds are worth nothing. Send your Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, that we may worship you now with thankful hearts and serve you always with willing minds; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please let Anna know if you would like anyone included in the prayers – [email protected]

Zoom coffee morning and evening prayer Coffee Morning – Thursdays 11.00 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87944173918?pwd=WERhUVR6UTV6Y3ZudEc1eDRCd EVPQT09

Meeting ID: 879 4417 3918 Passcode: u9VTjA

Evening Prayer – Fridays at 17.00:

Meeting ID: 771 3498 6391 Passcode: 9xGUEt https://us02web.zoom.us/j/77134986391?pwd=V1ZlYWlKVDlkWVlhWnYyQm FCa0J6UT09

Transport to get your vaccine If you are offered the Covid-19 vaccine, but have no transport, there are volunteers who are happy to take you there. Contact Kate Welbourne on 01476585812.

Keep the used stamps coming Thank you to all those who have donated used stamps. The money raised from them supports listening dogs for those with hearing issues. Stamps can be dropped off with Muriel Harrison at Manor Farm, Boothby Pagnell, or at the Rectory.

Group of Churches Website Our thanks to Ian Rutherford who has retired from being webmaster for the North Group of . The old website has been taken down.

BUT … All the worship, news and events for our churches can be found at A Church Near You: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/ Type the name of the in the dialogue box on the home page and follow the links to that parish’s page. The order of service and video for the online worship can be found there.