St Andrew's Church in Congresbury, North Somerset

Noticeboard

CAFÉ CHURCH

10AM-12Noon

Café Church happens on the third Saturday of every month and includes a regular ‘Hot Potato’ discussion session, Books for sale, Traidcraft Stall, Plants and cards from the Friends of St Andrew’s, Fairly traded coffee and – this month- mince pies

The Weekly Service at the Elms Nursing Home

Every Monday Evening from 6.30-7.15 a group of people from St. Andrew’s Church lead a simple act of worship at the Elms Nursing Home. The group would like to warmly invite you to come along and join them … and, if it is something you find you enjoy, beyond. If you’d like to come or want to know any more about the service, please speak to Jim Ward, Jean Dolphin, Eileen Weston, Margaret Weston, Hazel Bassingham, Enid Myram, Chris & Lydia Avery, or Matthew Thomson. You can be sure of a very warm welcome by the Service Group and the staff and residents of the Elms.

Floodlights

There is a scheme in place whereby people in the church or village can ‘sponsor’ the lighting up of St. Andrew’s Church in order to mark a special date or anniversary - perhaps in memory of a loved one, or as a celebration of a birthday, or whatever.

If you are interested in this, please contact Rosemary in the Church Office (01934 833126) and she will arrange it for you.

You will need to specify the date or dates. (We will take multiple sponsors for any date, if that arises).

If you would like to, (and there is sufficient notice) the occasion that is being marked can be listed in Viewpoint and Pew News. For example ‘13 March: Church lighting (sponsored by ‘X’ – this is optional) to celebrate Y’s birthday’. Equally, if you prefer it to be anonymous, that is how it will be.

Please note - there is no set sponsorship ‘fee’ – the size of the donation is up to you.

[Please make cheques payable to ‘St. Andrew’s Congresbury PCC’].

Church Flowers

Would you like to sponsor or contribute to the flowers in church.

There is opportunity for people to make a donation towards the Church flowers on a specific weekend - to commemorate a loved one, or a special anniversary.

Or you can help with, or take on doing, the arrangements for a specific date.

If you would like to know more, please contact Jan Denley (01934 833123).

Mark a special date or anniversary by ‘sponsoring’ the Church Floodlights

There is a opportunity for people in the church or village can ‘sponsor’ the lighting up of St. Andrew’s Church in order to mark a special date or anniversary - perhaps in memory of a loved one, or as a celebration of a birthday, or whatever.

Green Tip

Stamp recycling at one of the following centres:

Crisis Centre Ministries, 12 City Road, St. Pauls, Bristol BS2 8TP (for homeless people in Bristol);

Save the Children, 17 Grove Lane, London SE5 8RD;

RNIB PO BOX 9191, Wishaw, ML2 04B;

St. Peter's Hospice via Jim Ward

Calling all Carers

There are over 50,000 carers in Somerset and there must be many in this parish. These are the unsung heroes who look after elderly, infirm relatives, neighbours and friends - many 24 hours 7 days a week. They save the government literally billions of pounds by keeping those they look after out of hospital and homes and get little, if any, help from the Government. It is known that many feel isolated and suffer from stress…….now help is at hand!

St John Ambulance and Somerset County Council have joined forces to provide free Carer Support Programmes at venues across the County which bring carers together in a relaxed atmosphere to teach them skills that will help them better cope with their daily tasks. Amongst other subjects they will learn: Care and First Aid at home, Safe Handling and Prevention of Falls, Managing Continence, Stress Management and Relaxation and receive Benefits Advice.

The courses are run over four mornings across four or five weeks between 10.30am and 1.30pm and include a free lunch. There is also a free sitting service for those who find it hard to leave the ones they care for.

Hundreds of carers have already benefited this year and following the courses many have set up groups to share friendship and experiences together in the future.

To find out more and receive a schedule of courses please call Jude Glide, Carer Development Manager, St. John Ambulance on 01823 345920 or visit the St. John website

Take on a Flower Bed for the season

There are 7 Church flower beds that need someone to love them! (By the vicarage and Refectory, and some in the Prayer Garden). If you would like to take on the care of one or more of the beds – planting up, tending and watering over the spring, summer and autumn – then please contact Cherida (01934 832188).