Sherfield Village Hall Matters 13 Become More Like Jesus
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The Loddon Valley Link Church and Community Magazine Issue 542 March 2021 Available online and for collection from : Church End Telephone box Sherfield Park Shop Sherfield Park Community Association (in the covered bin outside) Shop in Sherfield Turgis Green Service Station Stratfield Saye Telephone box Wellington Farm Shop The Coffee Shop Hartley Wespall Church Foyer Page 1 Minister’s Letter Editorial ear Friends of life it seems that the negative As I write this we are approaching is more newsworthy than the elcome to the March edition of the parishes too. D Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, the positive. It is, therefore, great that Loddon Valley Link. It’s our second Let us have your beginning of Lent. It’s interesting that, despite in this very challenging lockdown W lockdown edition of the third feedback on the some people’s disinterest in religious practices period, newscasters have made lockdown due to Covid. Just writing that makes magazine by contacting generally, they still take the opportunity of giving an effort to share good news me realise what strange times we are in. Hopefully the editor at: up something for Lent; maybe alcohol or smoking stories as well. by the time you read this we will have a clearer and very often chocolate. It would be interesting view of what the rest of the year holds. Of [email protected], and remember to examine this further as a way into Whilst being realistic about the importance of immediate interest is Vernal equinox on Saturday that you can support the Loddon Valley Link at understanding the human psyche, but that is not paying attention to all aspects of news and social 20 March heralding spring. However life goes on www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ for now. Suffice it to say that Lent is seen as a media communication, especially for me, I plan to and we have another packed edition with what’s causes/loddonvalleylink/. season of fasting and giving up things. For the increase my focus, be spiritually and emotionally happening locally, even if most of it is online. fed by as many positive stories as I can and to take Church it is a little more than that. It is a time of We at the Loddon Valley Link are looking for Contents reflection and, if appropriate, penitence. In this as much opportunity as I am able to participate in some help. We need another editor to help share Minister’s Letter 2 self-examination we look at how we are as human positive action for the common good. That is my the load. It’s fun getting involved with the local commitment for Lent. I wonder what yours Church Services 4 beings before God, reflect on how we have done community and being part of a team. Please let us Baptist Chapel 5 in being faithful to him and to his call on our might be? know if you’re interested, We’re always looking to Prayers 8 lives. Very often we find that there are things that enhance the magazine and particularly from a Tinnitus Support 11 Sherfield Park Community Centre 12 need to change in order for us to In the Bible, Jesus, in describing one of the digital aspect. If you think you can help with this aspects of his ministry, (John 10 7-10), Sherfield Village Hall Matters 13 become more like Jesus. In this case Improve my we’re looking for a digital marketeer too. Full The Arts Society 15 we are not supposed to beat ourselves says this “The thief comes only to steal and to support and training available. Mayor’s invites to anniversary couples 16 spiritual kill and to destroy; I have come that they may up about that, just ask for and receive wellbeing This month features the Royal British Legion Basingstoke town centre 16 his forgiveness and then consider how have life, and have it to the full.” This could Crime Prevention Bulletin 20 getting an image revamp across the centre pages. Crime Figures 21 we will live differently in the easily be applied to our daily lives. Negative influences in our world could If you need a pick me up then we have a bit of BDBC News 22 future. Then we are supposed to just get on and loveliness on p31 British Legion 26 live it out. I once read something written by easily be seen as stealing our inner contentment Basingstoke Shed 28 Brother Roger of the Taizé Community, which and peace, or at least some of our Lent church services are obviously difficult this Sherfield Park Parish Council 30 wellbeing. Jesus’s overall desire for us is that we year but St Leonards has come up with an Tiramisu 31 said, “Lent is the season in which we celebrate March in Your Garden 33 God’s forgiveness”. For me this is the positive will have life in all its fullness. Placing our trust in innovative approach on p6. him enables us to find peace and joy even in the Hampshire County Council Update 37 antidote to a sometimes rather glum view of Our County councillor provides an update on p37. The Coffee Shop 38 midst of adverse circumstances. This is often best Lent’s purpose. Basingstoke Shed are trying to attract members on Read Easy 38 achieved in partnership and fellowship with other Puzzle Page 40 p 28. Rotary News 41 The truth is, I don’t think I’ve ever given up followers of Jesus, namely, the Church. They can help us towards a realistic understanding of ‘inner Our cover photo this month is looking forward to National Women’s Register 42 anything for Lent. I prefer to take something up Advertisers' Index 47 peace’. On the prayer page I will put a prayer that spring in the meadow behind Bow Drive from in order to both improve my spiritual wellbeing Gillian Barlin. Wouldn’t it be a shame if such Benefice Contact Information 48 and/or the lives of the people around me. I have will enable you to begin or continue this journey. Useful Telephone Nos. 49 meadows were lost to development. Keep your Small Ads 50 always felt it to be more of a positive act and in photos coming in. line with the teachings of Jesus. I was wondering Every blessing for a productive Lent. what I should take up this Lent. Stephen We’ve got most of the usual reports from the Email [email protected] The Loddon Valley Link is compiled and edited entirely by volunteers who live in the local community and take As I consider the current situation and as I listen 07943014277 to the news, I am aware that we have a tendency part in its activities. It is normally hand distributed by volunteer neighbours to over 2,000 houses across the to gravitate more towards the negative than the parishes of Sherfield on Loddon, Sherfield Park, Stratfield Saye, Hartley Wespall and Stratfield Turgis. It is available online at loddonvalleylink.org.uk. We return any profits to the community in the form of grants, which positive. Of course, there is a great deal of amounted to nearly £4,000 last year. positivity and that needs to be celebrated. I do, Please note: the Loddon Valley Link aims to provide accurate information but the Management Committee cannot accept any liability in however, often find the news and social media respect of errors or omissions. Any opinions expressed in articles are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Loddon Valley quite depressing. I know we have to listen to and Link Management Committee. The Committee cannot be held responsible for the reliability or quality of any goods, work or services in this get the information we need but I have taken to publication or on our website. The Editor's decision as to the inclusion and content of articles is final. If inaccurate, misleading or otherwise inappropriate information is brought to our attention, we will make every reasonable effort to correct or remove it as soon as possible. missing the news on my day off. In every aspect Page 2 Page 3 Catholic Services Services March 2021 St Bede’s and Holy Ghost Churches, Basingstoke. Public Worship Suspended Please call 01256 465214 Wednesday 3rd www.stbedesbasingstoke.org.uk March Live-streamed Sunday Masses 9am, 11am 10.00am Lent Communion Online Sunday 7th March Lent 3 Baptist Chapel Services 10.00am Holy Communion Online Breach Lane Chapel, Sherfield on Loddon Geoff Belsham 01256 882534 / 07519 708416 6.30pm Evensong Online Wednesday 10th March March 2021 th 10.00am Lent Communion Online Thursday 4 7pm Bible Study via ZOOM Sunday 7th 10.30am Family Worship led by Neil Owen Sunday 14th March Motheriug Sunday Lent 4 Sunday 14th 10.30am Family Worship led by Geoff Belsham 10.00am Together in Worship Online Thursday 18th 7pm Bible Study via ZOOM Wednesday 17th st March Sunday 21 10.30am Family Worship led by Neil Owen with Holy Communion Sunday 28th 10.30am Family Worship led by Steve Smith 10.00am Lent Communion Online Sunday 21st March Lent 5 Plus: Every Tuesday 10am Open Morning at the Chapel 10.00am Holy Communion Online Every Tuesday 11am Mid-week Service at the Chapel 6.30am Evensong Online Wednesday 24th March Online services - All are very welcome to join the Online services, please contact Stephen 10.00am Lent Communion Online for details - [email protected] Sunday 28th March Palm Sunday In Church Services - A decision has been made that with the current Lockdown the only 10.00am Morning Worship Online responsible and comfortable course is to cancel in church services until at least the end of Thursday 1st April Maundy Thursday March.