This is the weekly news sheet distributed on paper in the churches each week. This format may vary from that version.

Worship

‘…and a voice came from the cloud:

This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’

Special prayers for today:

Collect

First reading: 2 Corinthians 4. 3-6 ~ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Gospel: Mark 9: 2-9 ~ The Transfiguration ~ After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters— one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him! Suddenly, when they looked round, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

 ‘…the glory of God

in the face of Christ.’

Events

Ash Wednesday - We will be marking the start of Lent with a service of said Communion in St Martin’s at 7.30pm on Wednesday (22^nd).

This will be a quiet service with time for reflection. For those who desire it there will be the opportunity to receive the imposition of ashes.

LENT COURSES – There will be two courses this year! A daytime one and an evening one! Last week’s handout gave an outline of the evening course (there should be spares at the back of each church if you didn’t get one!). This course will be run by Colin, Peter and Phillip. It will be held on Tuesdays at 7 for 7.30pm at St P & E. First one – Tuesday 28^th February.

Susan and Ann Mc will be leading a daytime course on Wednesdays (first one – 29^th February) in the parish office…we aim to start with a time of fellowship over lunch – bring a packed lunch (or we might even provide some soup!). Hot drinks provided. We hope to start about 12.30pm and finish in time for Susan to do the school run! We will be thinking about The Lord’s Prayer with a fresh and different approach!

More details to follow…

Open Office this Wednesday (22^nd) 10.30am to 12noon!! Please get your WEN items to me by Tuesday (21^st). A Mc  Please call me if you want to check opening!

News

Christian Aid Results - The Tesco collection on Saturday achieved a total of £326 on what was probably the coldest day of the year. Thank you to the stalwarts who gave their time to man it. From the Swimathon organised by the Rotary club in early January, when Meg Bright, John Pascal and Mike Lovegrove all swam and divided their sponsorship between Rotary's effort to eliminate polio worldwide and Christian Aid a total of £550 was raised. So Christian Aid has so far raised £601. Thank you everyone for your support. Please put in your diaries the date of the Super Soup lunch which is on Saturday 31^st March, when homemade soup and puddings will be on offer at the hall.                                            Jan Lovegrove

TRANSPORT TO AND FROM CHURCH - I would like to determine if there are people not coming to Church because they cannot get there. If you know of anybody who cannot get to Church, or cannot get there yourself, please let me know on 01638 577292. If there is a demand then I will see whether or not it is possible to do something about it.                                               Michael Lovegrove

CHURCH CLEANING: Volunteers urgently required…Grace Hewson organises the rota of monthly cleaners who keep our St. Martin's church spick and span and up to the mark. They generally work in pairs and to vacuum and dust the church takes approximately an hour. By default Grace is now cleaning the church every week for eight months of the year (35 weeks!). We feel this is far too much and would ask for more volunteers to come forward and lighten that load. Grace is on holiday during February and it would be delightful to be able to tell her that more people were willing to join the rota when she returns. To make it so everyone only cleans for two months of the year eight (yes 8) new volunteers are needed. Currently all the other volunteers clean for 4 months. This task only becomes arduous when it is not shared. It is actually lovely to visit the church in a down time and contribute to its smooth running. Please speak to Vanessa on (01638) 663950 if you can help!

The Vine – If you feel you would like your event to be advertised in The Vine, you will need to email the editor, Julie Tootell, on nk_vine@yahoo.co.uk or phone her on (01638) 605161. PS - Don’t forget events are already advertised online, in the WEN, news sheet, in Exning news, SoP cards plus posters etc!

GOOD NEWS - SOHAM BOOKS IS NOW OPEN IN THE STABLE!

Times of opening on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 9am to 2pm and on Fridays: 9am to 1pm. Bibles, books, gifts, music available! We are very glad to have this important resource for the whole community right in the middle of the High Street, so convenient for all and look forward to seeing what is available for all age groups.

News from Sarah (Price)! In a couple of weeks time, I will be selling Christian cards and small gifts, (from Soham Books), at the Post Office.  If anyone wanted to order something through me, that would be ok.

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Community News                                                      Many people have pointed out that they would like to join a “Fun Singing” session -- but Saturday afternoons are not the best time for them. In response to this we tried a “sampler” session in an Evening in early December. This proved popular and so we are planning to start a regular “Evening Fun Singing” in February, starting this week. The dates planned are Wednesdays: the next one being on Feb 29^th. Then the following meetings will be on March 7^th and 21^st, April 4^th. They will be held in P&E from 8pm to 9.30pm (doors open from 7.30pm). To cover expenses (e.g. heating) we will make a charge of £2 per session for adults (£1 for any young people if they come). For more information contact John Saville on 01638-604246.

 The Parish Office   see its own webpage