THE NEW WINE A comment on the Lectionary Readings THE BOX RIVER BENEFICE for Sunday 29th April 5th Sunday of Easter BOXFORD – EDWARDSTONE Acts 8:26-end Philip demonstrates GROTON – LITTLE WALDINGFIELD – his obedience and trust in God, reaching NEWTON out to the Ethiopian man and spreading God’s love.

Gospel John 15:1-8 We are nurtured and cared for by the Father, and show our love for God by following the teaching of Jesus, the true vine.

Gospel Thoughts:What does it mean for us to abide in Jesus as branches in the vine? It is about making the choice to live in Jesus and remain with him. Jesus offers us an alternative vine, one that is for everyone and is a place where we are loved abundantly and are nurtured and cared for. If we live as branches on his vine, we choose not to betray anyone else or gossip about someone else’s betrayal. In this Gospel, Jesus makes it clear that our relationship with him – our abiding in him – is the key to our fruitfulness, or what we can accomplish spiritually. All that we do should point to Christ and arouse curiosity in him. We are strong when grafted onto the Christ-vine, and vulnerable -in-Charge: Revd Judith Sweetman when we are detached from it. Reader: Christopher Kingsbury Lay Elder: David Lamming For much more information about the five parishes in our Benefice, including contact details, service times, news and events please go to our Church Near You web site at www.achurchnearyou.com. GROTON CHURCH Mark Mitchel’s lecture Enter Boxford in the search box, choose St Mary st and use the links to find our other churches. about Mozart is now on Tuesday, May 1 at (Contact details & further information may be found in the Box River News - copies in most Groton Village Hall at 2.30pm. Unfortunately the churches.) heavy snow a few weeks ago meant that we had to Please submit items for The New Wine by email to Christopher Kingsbury: [email protected] postpone this talk, but we have now re-organised by Wednesday of each week. it for May 1st [see above] Just to remind you, Mark Sunday 29th April - 5th Sunday is an excellent lecturer, and this should be a very of Easter good afternoon especially as he will be giving one Newton 10.00 am Holy Communion of his favourite lectures, which will have slides and Five Villages Service musical excerpts; the talk will be followed by Tea, A Warm Welcome to all and all for just £6 each, so please get your tickets from Pat [210319] or Jayne [211360] soon.

At St Lawrence Church Ascension day service: A deanery Lt. Waldingfield service to celebrate Ascension Day at A Concert by Landermason on Friday St.Mary's Church Chilton Thursday 10th 13th July at 7.30 pm in St. Lawrence May at 7.30 pm Church. By Northumbrian based duo Fiona Lander & Paul Mason whio are launching their CHRISTIAN AID EVENTS May 2018 latest CD Tickets £10.00 from Nancy Roser T: 01787882897 M 07792299618 or at the door Bar & Raffle

The Bible Study Group next meets at 47 Swan Street at We are holding a Big Brekkie in the 7.30 pm by kind invitation of village hall again this year for Margaret & Peter Holden. All are welcome to Christian Aid on Saturday 19th May this hour of fellowship. The group meets 8.30-10-30. Do come & enjoy a usually 2nd & 4th Mondays each month. delicious Full english breakfast - suggested donation £5.00 "Crafty Church" is fun filled and takes place at A Coffee Boxford Primary School. Morning & 3.15-4-30pm, monthly. Bring & Buy Parents and for Christian Aid is being grandparents are welcome from 4.15 pm. Further held at the home of Jennie & Ian information please from Helen Heath or Revd Lindsley, Little Field,Cox Hill, Judith. Tel. 01787 210091 Boxford, on Saturday 12th May [email protected] 10.00-12.00 noon

NEW OF ST EDMUNDSBURY :The Boxford Open Gardens 2018 Revd Joe Hawes, will be installed as Dean at a service in the cathedral on Saturday Sunday 3th June 11.00 am- 4.00pm 14th July. You can read more about Canon Hawes on Gardens open in Boxford, Groton & the cathedral Edwardstone website: http://www.stedscathedral.co.uk/news Featuring new gardens for 2018 /953-new-dean-for-st-edmundsbury-cathedral Please see advert in the Box River News The Archdeacons Visitation 2018 will be Tickets £6.00 ( children under 16 FREE) at St.Edmundsbury Cathedral at 7.30pm on Wednesday 2nd May for admission of Main ticket desk in church, or look out for churchwardens. This year's service wil be "Garden Open" signs and pay at the first lead by Bishop MIke (Archdeacon David is Garden you come to. on sabbatical leave) For more details contact Sarah Williams 01787210276 [email protected]