Sunday 16 March 2025 – 11am Morning Praise
Readings: Philippians 3:17 – 4:1 and Luke 13: 31 - 35. You can watch the service live on YouTube by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJJ7uMFp9y1d2OIS96CMsOQ/live
The monthly prayer meeting by Zoom is on April 2nd.
Services Next Week in St Michael’s
Wednesday 12 March 9:30 Spoken Holy Communion
Sunday 23 March 11am Morning Worship with Holy Communion
Normal Alphington Open Church times:
Monday 2pm to 4pm
Tuesday 10am to noon
Wednesday 10:30 to noon, follows 9:30 Communion
Thursday 2pm to 4pm
Friday 2pm to 4pm.
Do drop in for a cup of something hot or cold and a chat or just some quiet time.
Please pray for Connect South West Exeter (CSWE)
Outreach to the new housing developments
Would you like to join Jane in prayer in some way? There are several ways you could do this:
1) In person: we currently meet in the prayer space in church between 10.30 and 11am on Tuesdays to pray
2) Join a yet to be launched Prayer What's App group to be informed of and cover outreaches in prayer as and when they happen and thank and praise God when related good news stories are shared on that group
3) Enlist on one of the 2 or 3 prayer walks around the estates that will be happening between late Spring and Autumn - dates TBC
Please could you email or message Jane to let her know which one/s you are interested in at jane@alphingtonstmichaels.org or 07349 910789? Many thanks
BIG Charity Lent Lunch
Lent lunches are usually run by members of our church homegroups but if you are not part a homegroup but would be prepared to help us run the BIG lunch in the Village Hall on 29th March please see Sue or Kathy. We need people to set up, to serve, to make soup and to clear away.
This lunch and the quiz are two special events in March when we are doing a Tombola Table, so we welcome prizes for both these occasions. Please place them in a box at the back of church from this weekend onwards. We would love to see you and your friends there to enjoy a good social time and at the same time raise money for our mission partners.
Many thanks in advance.
The Try Praying Campaign begins at the start of April. Our banner will go up outside church and booklets will be available to read and give away. We plan to have 10 buses in the city wearing the Try Praying banner. If you'd like to give something to support the project, please use the giving device at the back of Church.
Church Electoral Roll
A reminder that we published a detailed explanation about the new electoral roll in the notices on 7 February. This will be a completely new electoral roll, and everyone will have to submit a new application if they wish to remain on the roll. We encourage everyone who is eligible to apply or re-apply. Note that it does not affect our Parish Share calculation as this is based on a different set of figures.
Cycle Racks Update
The cycle racks arrived on Wednesday morning and will be installed as soon as we can. The gardening team has been busy infilling the EcoGrid with soil and turf and when complete, the soil areas will be seeded. We can then install the cycle racks. Photos Andi Linford.
Lea Abbey Weekend Away
Please see the poster further down these notices.
Church Cleaning Team
One unseen task in our church is to keep our beautiful building looking cherished. This has been done for many years by a team of stalwart volunteers who quietly but efficiently, clean and care for all areas from the toilets to the sanctuary! Over time this team has slowly dwindled as people get older and are unable physically to do what needs to be done.
We would ask anyone reading this who feels they could spare 1 or 2 hours a month, to join the rota of helpers. The more people involved the less time you are needed. Any cleaning can be done to suit your own schedule, not at any given time, so please see Roger or myself if you can HELP.
Sue Noden
A Forthcoming event at Exeter Cathedral
Bach St John Passion
Sat 29th March 2025
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/exeter/exeter-cathedral/st-john-passion/e-medeve
The Big ICE Quiz
We have over 60 people signed up for this fun evening this coming Saturday. The link below the poster lower down these notices should take you to the application site. Alternatively click on the link here Please click here to sign up https://icetrust.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=78869860fe6c926c957458d47&id=dfe53aca75&e=559561d7bc
News from Sheila
Derriford made a video about Sheila and you can watch it here https://youtu.be/du0TZGDUYBE
Sheila has now been moved from Derriford to the RD&E.
St Petrock’s Big Night Out
We have launched The Big Night Out again this year. Last year it was incredibly successful and raised £4592. Obviously, this year we would like to make even more funds for fabulous St Petrock's. However, we would also like to increase the number of participants taking part to raise the profile of the incredible work that St Petrock's does.
What is the Big Night Out? St Petrock’s Big Night Out is a unique event that allows anyone to raise funds for St Petrock’s vital work supporting homeless people in Exeter. The event provides an opportunity to spend a night sleeping outdoors, wherever you choose, and reflect on the challenges faced by people who sleep rough not by choice, but out of necessity. While it’s an immersive experience, it’s not mandatory to sleep outside – alternative options are available.
How Does It Work? We invite participants to sleep outdoors on Friday, 25th April to support those who have no home and face the harsh reality of sleeping rough every night. You can decide where and how you sleep, based on your comfort level:
• In your garden, shed, tent or garage.
• Out in the countryside.
• In your church or church hall.
• A night on the sofa or floor, reflecting the experience of "sofa surfing"— a common form of homelessness where people rely on the kindness of friends and family for temporary shelter.
We aim to unite people from across the community to support those experiencing homelessness.
Information and Advice: A Rough Sleeping Experience? While St Petrock’s Big Night Out is designed to be a fun and insightful experience, it’s important to remember that it’s NOTHING like the harsh reality of someone experiencing homelessness. After the event, you’ll return to warmth, comfort, and safety—something rough sleepers don’t have. In the morning, you’ll be able to dry off, have a warm shower, a hearty breakfast, and return to the security of your own bed. Genuine rough sleepers face violence, extreme weather conditions, and a constant struggle for safety. We hope this event helps participants gain a glimpse of the hardship faced by those who are homeless.
We thought that, maybe, there could be a camp out in your Church or Church Hall with your congregation or maybe you have a youth group that may like to do this.
If you are interested in taking part but would like to chat things through, please do contact me. Alternatively, you can find everything on our website St Petrock’s Big Night Out 2025 - St Petrock's
I will be sleeping out in a bivvy bag, with my husband, in some woodland, as some of our clients do. Already, it has made me think about having to do this night after night.
Emma Jones
Head of Community Relations
T: 01392 422396
M:07399 699497
E: emma@stpetrocks.org.uk
The Big Knit
If you would like to help with this project and knit one or more of these tiny hats for Innocent Smoothie bottles there are patterns available at the back of church or from Karen Brooks (our Age UK advocate). This worthy charity gets 30p for each one knitted or crocheted.
If you're viewing these notices on line, click on this link to sign up. If you're reading a paer version or a pdf, copy this link into your browser: https://alphingtonstmichaels.churchsuite.com/events/bup5ys4d
If it’s easier, use this link: https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QKIUZ1O2
It's possible to add a link on your phone homescreen so you can always see the latest notice sheet.
Click on the link below to see the video explaining what to do.
Make sure your volume is turned up.
The Churchwardens can be contacted on:
Sue on susanknoden@gmail.com or phone 07782 272106
Roger on roger603@btinternet.com or phone 07782 271862
Dates for your diary – all at St Michael’s unless otherwise stated
Saturday 15 March
7:00pm The Big ICE Quiz – details on poster above
Sunday 16 March
11am Morning Praise
Wednesday 19 March
9:30am Holy Communion
7:30pm PCC Meeting
Thursday 20 March
Vernal (spring) Equinox – day and night of equal length.
Sunday 23 March
11am Morning Worship with Holy Communion
Wednesday 26 March
9:30am Holy Communion
Friday 28 March
Funeral of Jenny Plumer
Saturday 29 March
BIG Charity Lent Lunch in the Village Hall
Sunday 30 March
11am Mothering Sunday – Morning Worship
British Summer Time begins – clocks “spring forward”
Don’t be late for church!
Wednesday 2 April
9:30am Holy Communion
7pm Monthly prayer meeting on Zoom.
Sunday 6 April
11am Sunday First Service
Wednesday 9 April
9:30am Holy Communion
Friday 11 April
6pm onwards – Clothes Sale
Saturday 12 April
10:00 to 12 noon – Clothes Sale
Sunday 13 April
11am Palm Sunday – Morning Worship, Clive Barker speaking
Friday 18 April
3pm Good Friday Devotional
Sunday 20 April
11:00am Easter Sunday Communion Service
Wednesday 23 April
9:30am Holy Communion
Sunday 27 April
11am Morning Worship with Holy Communion
Wednesday 30 April
9:30am Holy Communion
Saturday 3 May
9am – 12noon Plant and Tabletop sale
Sunday 4 May
11am Sunday First Service
Monday 5 May
Early May Bank Holiday
Wednesday 7 May
9:30am Holy Communion