St Mark’s Parish News Candlemas 2 February 2020

Church Services Thank you

2 February - Candlemas The flowers in church this week 8.30am Holy Communion are in memory of our dear friend 9.30am Morning Worship Margaret Standley. Preacher - The Reverend Dr Sam Cappleman Leadership - Mrs Janet Warren Intercessions - Young People Organist - Mr Bill Fudge Lectionary Readings Malachi 3:1-5 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40 Prayer for Sunday and the Week Ahead

9 February - Candlemas 8.30am Holy Communion Lord God on this day we 9.30am Morning Worship celebrate the Light of Christ. Preacher - The Reverend Canon Charles Royden He is your light which gives Leadership - The Reverend Alan Kirk light to the whole world. Intercessions - Mr Richard Ledger Organist - Mr Paul Edwards May we to be lights of your Lectionary Readings presence here on earth. Isaiah 58:1-9a 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 Matt 5:13-20 Midweek Services In our actions and in our Wednesday Communion 10.00am in the Chapel words, help us by your Holy Spirit to reflect the Light of Please join us for a service followed by coffee First Monday of every month. Holy Communion Christ’s love and salvation. at 10.00am at Sir William Harpur House

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St Mark’s Contact Information

The Reverend Dr. Sam Cappleman St. Mark’s Church Centre Assistant Rural Dean of Bedford www.stmarkschurch.com 107 Dover Crescent, Bedford MK41 Tel: 266952 [email protected] Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5.00pm Tel/fax: 342613 [email protected] The Reverend Canon Charles Royden Centre Manager: Miss Wendy Rider 342613 The Vicarage, Calder Rise. MK41 7UY Church Wardens Mr Mike Cooper & Mr Jim Williams 309175 Mobile 07973 113861 Treasurer: Mr Ian Farthing 210892 [email protected] [email protected] Gift Aid Administrator: Mr Jim Williams 360605 Reader: Mrs Wendy Waters Churchyard Administrator: Mrs Avril Williams 342613 Pastoral Support Team Co-Ordinator [email protected] 342613 [email protected] Music Copyright CCL1501 Charity No 1164416

Church Leadership Team Mr Mike Cooper, Mr Jim Williams, Mrs Laura Farthing, Mrs Liz Jackson, Mrs Janet Warren, The Reverend Alan Kirk

Please inform us if you know of anyone who is ill, bereaved, housebound, requires a visit, home communion or counselling services. Please also ask us if you would like a home visit for any reason.

Regular Weekly Activities - St Mark’s Church

Monday 6.00pm Brownies Mrs. C Warden 219731 7.30am-6.00pm Pre-school Mon-Fri St Mark’s 7.00pm Bunyan Bridge Dale Squire 07713626541 Manager Mrs. Helen Harpin 312634 (See website) for 8.00pm Tudor Reeds Folk Dance Club more details www.thisispreschool.com) (1st,3rd and 5th Wednesday of the month. Except August). 10.00am Bakers Barn Art Group. Rosemary Stanbridge Everyone welcome. All dances called. Call Rosemary 822847 405594 or Graham 406359 for more details. £2 including 10.00am U3A Play reading Chris Fordham 07940 072202 refreshments. Next meeting 29 January 9.45am - 10.45am &11.00am-12noon Pilates 8.00pm Bedford Wine and Social Club Liz Mason 07816522200 (1st week in the month) Jill Cooper 357960 2-3.15pm U3A Recorder Group Chris Fordham 07940 072202 Thursday 6.00pm Brownies Mrs C Mathew 826190 9.30-11.25am Chat & Play. A term time group for Parents, 7.00 to 10.00 p.m. Whist Drive third Monday each month Carers & toddlers 0-5. Church office or Janine 297481 or fifth if there are five. Judith Stanton 01234 823313. 12pm Storybox. For the under 5’s and their carers 7.30pm Sugarcraft Guild (1st week) Heather Gould between 12 noon and 1pm. Sandwich lunch and a Bible 824503 based story and singing. Contact Jaana Swaaby 3422613. 7.00-8.00pm Laughter Club on 2nd week Cheryl Green 2-4pm. U3A Indoor Games. Chris Fordham 07940 072202 07729187399 2.30 - 4.30pm Bedford Art Society 7.15-9.00pm Guides Mrs Gill Lake 07930 826474 Jean Patterson 307210 7-9pm Rangers. Nikki Lake 07584028653 2.30pm - 4.30pm Putnoe Art Group (PAG) Indoor Games. Rod Fewings 07718390188 Contact Bob Wardale 406094 Mob:07914451198 7-8.5pm Happy Body Project Julie Holl 0780873965 6-7pm Supple Strength Yoga 7.30pm Whist Drive Third Monday and fifth if there are five Amanda Alcock 07769747393 Contact Judith Stanton 823313 7-9pm Bedford Community Gospel Choir Weekly meeting . Contact 07554148540 Tuesday 7.00pm U3A Singing for Fun (1st & 3rd week) Chris 9.30am-11.15. Chat & Make A term time group for Fordham 07940 072202 Parents, Carers and toddlers 0– 5. For more details ring 7.00pm Bedford Embroiderers’ Guild Church Office 342613 or Janine 01234 297481 (3rd week in month). Carol Plant 01832710504 9.30am -12.30 & 4-9pm Slimming World 7.00-10.00pm Club 2000 (2nd week in month) Contact 9.30, 11.30, 3.30, 5.30, 7.30. Lorrie Pearson 340473 Lilian Wilson 308965 1.15pm U3A Cinema Group. Chris Fordham 07940 7.00-9.00pm Gospel Choir Lydia Francis 07890291394 072202 7.15 – 9.30pm Magpies Ladies Group St Mark’s (2nd & 4th 1.30pm U3A Choir. Contact Chris Fordham 07940 072202 week in month ). Contact Pam Seymour 345943 2.00pm U3A Book Group 1 (3rd Week in month) Contact 7.15pm - 9.30pm Magpies Ladies Group. Meet on 2nd & Chris Fordham 07940 072202 4 Thursday Contact Pam Seymour 345943 2.00pm U3A Book Group 2 (2nd Week in month) Contact Next meeting is on Thursday 13 February at 7.30.p.m.'The Chris Fordham 07940 072202 Story of Ampthill Park ' by Brian Kerr. 2.00pm U3A Photography Group 3 (1st Week in month) 8.00pm Bedford Writers Circle. (1st week in month). John Contact Chris Fordham 07940 072202 Broadhouse 01525 404014 2.30pm Knit & Natter Group (Fortnightly) Wool and knitting needles provided. Mrs Maureen Watling 262225 Friday 2.00-3.30pm Tuesday Afternoon Housegroup. Fortnightly 10am -12.00 U3A Photography (4th week) Chris Fordham Social and Bible Study Mrs Jean Bank 355698 07940 072202 6-7pm Supple Strength Yoga Amanda Alcock 10.45am - 12 U3A Poetry & Literature 07769747393 Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 7.30-9pm Faith Community Church Daniel Brown 2.00-4.00 pm U3A Whist (2nd week in month) Contact 07908666242 Chris Fordham 07940 072202 8.00pm Hearts in Beds Committee (4th week) Mrs N 7.45 - 10.45pm Bedford Astrology Club. Aspey 309816 (2nd week in month )Carol Brown 01438 233385 8.20-9.20pm Restoration Pilates 6.30 –7.30pm Pakua Martial Arts John Waugh Johanna Debnam 07753418170 07802755914 7-9pm Mindfulness Meditation Bhante Samitha Wednesday 07983466105 10.00-2pm Open House For those with learning disabilities, friends, family, carers etc 342613 Saturday 10.00am U3A Gardening Group 3 9.00am Faith Church (1st in month) Ruth Russell Chris Fordham 07940 072202 10.00am-1pm Theatretrain Dancing acting, singing. Kate 10.00am Holy Communion. St. Mark’s Chapel. Half hour Howard 782414 07748764920 service followed by coffee 10am-1pm Sugarcraft Guild Cygnets (2nd week in 11.00am Bereavement Support Group in Chapel - First month) Margaret Baldry 07919404906 Wednesday - Tea, coffee, and chat 10am U3A Card Making. Chris Fordham 07940 072202 Sunday 10-4pm Sewing Group 4th week Contact Sue Sewell 9.30 - 10.30 Church and Sunday School 07979797747 with crèche for under 3’s 1.15 Social Bridge Club. Mr Barnes 261811 10 - 11am Hatha Yoga Contact Tracy Langford 2 4pm. U3A Craft 1st week Contact Chris Fordham 07940 07473033750 072202 10 - 5.30pm Bedford Stamp Fayre at St. Mark’s. 3.45– 5.30pm Messy Church Bible stories, crafts, singing 1st wk Dec/Feb/Apr/Jun/Aug/Oct. Trevor King 015822 and a meal. For children primary school age & carers. 857343 Meeting dates 19 Feb, 18 March Wendy Waters 401834 Candlemas

Opening Sentence Psalm 24 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully.

Collect Prayer for the Day Before we read we pray Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. CW

First Reading Malachi Chapter 3:1-5 Thus says the Lord God: See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight – indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts. (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God)

Second Reading Hebrews Chapter 2:14-18 Since the children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God)

Gospel Reading Luke Chapter 2:22-40 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him. (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God)

Post Communion Prayer O Lord, who fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna that they might live to greet the coming of the Messiah: grant that we, who have received these inexpressible gifts, may be prepared to meet Christ Jesus when he shall come to bring us to eternal life; for he lives and reigns, now and for ever. Amen

Hymns The kingdom of God is justice and joy (Hanover) HP 139 Here is love vast as the ocean (as) MP 987. (with instruments) In the cross of Christ I glory (All for Jesus) HP 167 Faithful vigil ended (Faithful Vigil) MP 125 We trust in you, our shield and our defender (Finlandia) MP 738th

Commentary Over the years Candlemas has marked several significant events in the life of the church. For some its importance is in the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the presentation of Christ in the Temple, which is told in our gospel reading today. This was 40 days after Jesus’ birth and the purification was according to the custom in Jewish Law which is given in Leviticus (Lev 12 v 1 – 4). The presentation of Christ comes from Exodus (Ex 13 v 2, 12) where the Lord says to Moses that the firstborn male is to be consecrated to God, and that the Israelites are to give over to the Lord the firstborn of every womb. The words which are used when Jesus is ‘presented’ (partistanai) is the same as when sacrifices were ‘presented’ or offered. Luke, mindful of the Jewish heritage in which he lived, evokes the image of a sacrificial offering in the words he uses, and the concept that firstborn sons had to be bought back, or redeemed according to Jewish custom. Jesus the one who would be offered and sacrificed for all to redeem the world is Himself being offered, redeemed and bought back. It’s an emptying of Himself and a humble obedience to God and God’s call on His life which will resonate some years later in His baptism by John, and throughout His ministry on earth. We are familiar with Paul who picks this up in his letter to the Philippians as Jesus empties Himself in humble obedience for God to exalt Him and give Him the name above all names. In coming to the Temple, Joseph and Mary show their obedience and faithfulness to the Jewish law and customs which find their fulfilment in Christ, the child they now bring to the Temple.

The dates of Candlemas have varied over time but now it is generally kept on 2 February. In 532 Justinian ordered that the festival be observed as a mark of thanks that the plague had ended, and marking Candlemas spread widely around the Christian world, first in the East and then in the West. In the Eastern church it is called ‘the meeting’ or ‘the encounter’ (hypapanti) as it was when Simeon met with and encountered Christ. For some churches there is a procession of lighted candles and the candles for use in the year to come are blessed. The candles symbolise Simeon’s words, ‘for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ Candlemas is another of those occasions where the ordinary (following the Jewish Law and being purified and presenting Christ at the Temple), and the extra-ordinary (as Simeon and Anna encountered God incarnate, the Messiah) come together. As we reflect on the meaning and significance of Candlemas for us, how do we encounter the extra-ordinary Christ, God incarnate, in the ordinary of our lives?

Commentary Luke positions the story of Christ within the Jewish traditions, which as a non-Jew himself, he observed from an ‘outside’ perspective. But Luke understood the importance of what was happening, not just for the Jews, but for all people. Today’s gospel reading brings together these two facets of the Messiah Christ who has come for all people. Simeon is a devout man ‘looking forward to the consolation of Israel’. But he’s also looking to a new future which includes not just Israel, but all people. It’s a new future which brings light, not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles too. For Simeon, it must have been a time of letting go. Letting go, not just of the strictures of the Jewish law, but a way of life. But rather than trying to cling onto the past, he seems to be welcoming the future. Perhaps it’s a model for us to reflect on as our times change. Simeon must have invested years in witnessing to and upholding the rites and rituals of the Temple. But he’d also invested years in looking for a better world, one which he believed had been promised in the scriptures, and he believed God to be faithful, whatever the present circumstances may reflect. Was this now the time? It must have seemed incredible, almost unbelievable, even for someone who was looking for it.

Imagine how Mary must have felt too when this, presumably elderly, man takes Jesus in his arms and utters the words which we now know as the Nunc Dimittis over the child. She would be getting a little used to God’s surprises by this stage, angels coming and speaking with her, the encounters in Bethlehem and the stable as the shepherds and others came to see the Messiah. But when Simeon proclaims that the child they had brought with them to the Temple at the time of her purification was to destined, ‘for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too’ she must have wondered what this God of surprises had in store for her, and the holy family, next. This was beginning to sound a bit ominous. Not only that, it wasn’t just Simeon who seemed to be getting excited. An old lady, Anna, who was presumably well known around the Temple as she never seemed to leave it, hanging around fasting and praying day in and day out, began to speak to anyone who would listen to her about Jesus and what He meant to ‘all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem’. This wasn’t what Mary expected when she had come to the Temple that morning.

For Simeon, Anna, and indeed for Mary and Joseph, who had grown up with a world view where there were two kinds of people in the world, the Jews and the non-Jews, this was a challenging time. Surely they were God’s people not the gentile world and in this exclusivist world view, salvation was for the people of God, not for all the nations of the world. But for Simeon, Anna, and all who would encounter Jesus, this world view was shattered. The salvation offered by Jesus was for all people. Jesus was the light of God which not only lit the way to this salvation but was that light and salvation itself. His life and light would make God known to all the nations of the earth, to all people, as well as for the glory of God’s people, Israel. No one was excluded or left in darkness as the light radiated and shone brightly on and for all. As far as salvation was concerned, there was neither Jew nor Gentile, but only a salvation for all people whatever their nation, race, or background. All were God’s people. The good news announced in Jerusalem would now travel to Rome and to the ends of the earth, to all nations of the earth.

But the inclusivist world view that Simeon and Anna now proclaimed would not go unchallenged. His proclamation raised immense and profound theological questions, not only for those in authority, but anyone who professed the Jewish faith, or any faith at all. These were uncomfortable words. Perhaps for some in authority they just dismissed the words of an older man and woman, who themselves perhaps never lived to see whether the words they spoke were fulfilled. Perhaps the authorities hoped that not many people had heard them, and those that did might dismiss them as mere ramblings, misguided thoughts from well-meaning and devout individuals but who sadly now seemed to have lost the plot. But the words did not go away. They had not lost the plot at all, they were proclaiming a new ‘plot’ for the world. The Messiah, the light of the whole world had come, and things could never be the same again. Watching and waiting, Simeon and Anna trusted and were obedient to that which they knew was from God. As the years unfolded the incredible magnitude of what they had foretold would dawn upon the world and the light of Christ continued to be reflected in all who followed Him, even to this day.

The words Simeon and Anna had proclaimed, and the Messiah Jesus who offered salvation to all who was the incarnation and reality of those profound words and proclamations, would prove to be too uncomfortable for the authorities some thirty years later and would lead Christ to the cross. Candlemas, which we mark today reflects this. It marks the time when we are halfway between Christmas and Easter, halfway between looking back to the birth of Christ and His incarnation at Christmas and His death on a cross and glorious resurrection at Easter. Uncomfortable they may have been, but the words that were spoken by Simeon and Anna were nothing less than God’s truth being proclaimed to all who would listen. Sam Cappleman Prayers for Sunday and the Week Ahead

Let us pray to the Father through Christ who is our light and life. • Father, your Christ is acclaimed as the glory of Israel: look in mercy on your Church, sharing his light. • Father, your Christ in his temple brings judgement on the world: look in mercy on the nations, who long for his justice. Amen • Father, your Christ, who was rich, for our sakes became poor: look in mercy on the needy, suffering with him. Amen • Father, your Christ is the one in whom faithful servants find their peace: look in mercy on the departed, that they may see your salvation. Amen • Father, your Christ is revealed as the one destined to be rejected: look in mercy on us who now turn towards his passion. Amen

Lord God, you kept faith with Simeon and Anna, and showed them the infant King. Give us grace to put all our trust in your promises, and the patience to wait for their fulfilment; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Christ the Son of God, born of Mary, fill you with His grace to trust His promises and obey His will, and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words Candlemas Day 1901 Tate Britain Marianne Stokes 1855-1927

Marianne Stokes, née Priendlsberger, was known as a painter of religious subjects. Born in in 1855, she later studied at the Academies of Gratz and before going to . In 1884, while painting in Brittany, she met and married the English painter Adrian Stokes. Thereafter she regularly exhibited in , at the Royal Academy, Grosvenor Gallery, London Gallery and elsewhere.

So far in this series we have looked at over 50 paintings and this is the first from a woman artist. The reason of course as you will immediately notice from a visit o somewhere like the National Gallery, is that women did not paint. Women would frequently commission art or collect art but they were not painters. More recently this balance has moved a bit but there is a limit to what modern work from women we can produce for copyright reasons. For example this painting is by Marianne Stokes who died in 1927, so the work is in the public domain 80 years after her death. Faithful reproductions of these two dimensional public domain works of art are also public domain. However women and art are still heavily lacking in gender parity. Only two works by female artists have broken into the top 100 auction sales for paintings. The fact is that women are painted not painters! So we are very fortunate to have this painting by Marianne Stokes who painted religious subjects.

Although she painted this at the turn of the 20th century it is not an oil but a tempera (using egg) painting. This came about because she believed quite strongly that tempera was superior to oil. She associated the use of tempera with the purity and simplicity of an earlier art. Wilfred Meynell said that ‘Mrs Adrian Stokes regards the choice of medium as practically a matter of ethics’, and quotes her as saying ‘It seems to me a medium which lends itself most to spirituality, sincerity and purity of colour’.

So look at this picture and see if you think she has manged to capture a spirituality. She certainly has tried to demonstrate the devotion of the young woman with her head bowed down to her prayer book and holding rosary beads in her hands. The candle of Candlemas Day burns brightly but I doubt it gives sufficient warmth to give those rouge cheeks and her lips are unmistakably marked with lipstick. There is more to this woman with her bright red collar style necklace with gold clasp, for sure she is not a nun. Of course this was 1901 and Queen Victoria died that year bringing in the Edwardian era. In just eight more years Gordon Selfridge would launch cosmetic counters in Oxford Street, no would cosmetics be for stage girls and prostitutes, more furtive searching or entering premises via concealed entrances. Perhaps Marianne Stokes was showing that it was possible to be fashionable and faithful, pretty and pure at the same time? We have missed a lot by excluding women from so many areas of life for so long. Candlemas Day 1901 Tate Britain Marianne Stokes 1855-1927

O God, who in the work of creation commanded the light to shine out of darkness: we pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ may shine into the hearts of all your people, dispelling the darkness of ignorance and unbelief, and revealing to them the knowledge of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Amen. Tiddlers. Please don’t for get to collect your pennies Lent Course This year and return to Fiona Cook. Containers are available we will have four from the church office evenings in Lent. They will start at 7.00pm for Bereavement Support coffee, an hour of Group This is an study from 7.30pm opportunity for anybody who until 8.30pm and then has been bereaved to gather cheese and wine until together for tea, coffee and a 9.00pm We hope that chat. We meet on the first you will join us. Please Wednesday of the month in the Chapel and the next tell a member of the meeting will be 5 February Leadership Team if you would like From Bedford assistance with transport. Foodbank 19 March, 26 March, 2 April, 9 April Our grateful thanks Dear Rev Canon Charles Open House Bedford Royden, We are a registered charity which provides support We are writing to adults with learning difficulties. It is run by to thank everyone at St volunteers and meets every Thursday at St Marks Mark’s Church for their donations to Bedford from 10am to 2pm. The club provides a range of Foodbank in 2019. The total weight of the food you activities and experiences which aim to promote have donated is 599.36kg which will provide 252 independence, respect, physical and mental meals. wellbeing, as well as opportunities to extend knowledge and learn Regular donations, such as yours, are vital to the on- new skills. Attendance is going provision of food for those in our community good and we are trying who are in such great need. The need for help from to recruit some new the Foodbank continues to increase year upon year volunteers. If you are and we now regularly feed around 650 people a interested in helping out month, giving them enough food for 3-4 days, or on an occasional or around 10 meals. The monthly food leaving our regular basis, please warehouse is generally in the region of 7-8 tonnes, so speak to Morag Stewart we are very grateful for all donations we receive as for further information. each one is vital for the ongoing work of the Foodbank, and is greatly appreciated. It is sad that help like this is needed, but great that Church Council Meetings individuals, organisations and communities can come 27 February 2020 together to meet what is an ever increasing need in 14 May 2020 Bedford and the surrounding villages. 15 October 2020 On behalf of everyone who uses or volunteers at the foodbank, I would like to thank you all once Annual Parochial Church again for your support. Council Meeting: 19 April Yours sincerely Andrea Badman 2020 Assistant Project Manager

Rest In Peace Forthcoming Funerals

The funeral of Patricia Haynes will On the Sunday following a funeral service take place at Bedford Crematorium we remember in church those who have died. on Thursday 6 February at 12.15pm We light a candle to symbolise the light of Christ

which eternally shines and The Funeral of Julia Mary brings hope. If you would like a person Wetherilt will take place on Friday remembered in our service when the candle is 14 February at St Albans Woodland lit, perhaps on an anniversary or birthday, Burial Ground Keysoe, followed by a service at St please inform the ministers, or telephone the Mark’s church office.

May the souls of the faithful departed through the Margaret Standley mercy of God rest in peace and rise in glory. May the souls of all the faithful departed

through the mercy of God rest in peace All funerals at Bedford Crematorium and rise in glory . Amen. can be found @ www.bedford.gov.uk/obituaries