Services this Week

Time	Where	Service
7th February - 3 Sunday before Lent
8:00am	Leigh Woods	Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer 1662)
10.30am	Abbots Leigh	Family Communion +Band

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PLEASE NOTE "THE SPECIAL EVENT AT BRACKENWOOD" HAS BEEN CHANGED TO FRIDAY, 5TH FEB
Just a few tickets now available - simply unmissable!!

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PARISH AWAY DAY: Important diary note - 27th February
The Parish Away Day - Through the Looking Glass!
As a parish we spend quite a lot of time working and worshipping together
but this is a lovely opportunity to reflect, not always too seriously, on our parish life together;
and also to take a step through the looking glass to see how our church may look in the coming years.
Come and have your say!
All Welcome - see below for details and to book in for the day.

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Message for February, 2010 'A Letter from Decia'

Dear Friends,

“Deep and crisp and even” comes to mind as I write this letter in mid-January!

I do hope that you have been able to enjoy the beauty of the snow while venturing forth to do the ordinary day-to-day things in somewhat difficult circumstances. I am always made aware in weather conditions of the icy variety, how “neighbourly” the people of Abbots Leigh and Leigh Woods are. Those who are able to be out and about helping those who can’t, by doing shopping, collecting prescriptions, and making sure a hot meal is taken to an isolated person.

Thank you for being kind and considerate in 2010!

Exciting changes are taking place in the way we structure our Sunday Church services. We have taken a somewhat complicated system, shaken it up a bit and AFTER EASTER a new way of doing things will emerge. 8am Holy Communion and Evensong will remain unchanged, but Family Service, Family Communion and Parish Communion will alternate. All these services will start at 10am and if you have been in Abbots Leigh one week, the next week will be at Leigh Woods. The PCC and the ministry team are hoping this will offer greater opportunities for a variety of activities as there won’t be the rush for one congregation to exit before the next one comes in. Watch this space, as we get creative with a more relaxed service schedule.

To discuss these changes, and to make plans for the next five years, I am hoping as many of you as possible will join us for our Parish Away Day on Saturday 27th February

All are welcome – especially if you think it’s important to keep our two lovely churches at the centre of our communities.

or/and

Have a

Wonderfully Smashing, Dynamically Exciting New Year!

With love,

Yours in Christ

Ros

Email Ros

Email Decia

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Up and Coming Events
Do take a look at the following both local and diocesan events. Further details of parish events can be found in "The Link" or email Wo Hill

Events
Wednesday, 3rd February, From 7.30pm
PARISH PUB NIGHT Wendy and Richard are taking bookings for the supper evenings. Cost: £10 To book a place call The George, 01275 372467
Friday 5th February 2010, commencing at 7.00pm.
In aid of Holy Trinity Appeal Fund A Special Event at Brackenwood John & Jenny Maycock from Brackenwood are to host an evening of entertainment at the Garden Centre They will provide a buffet and a glass of wine or soft drink and there will be two speakers plus a quiz and a raffle. The main speaker will be Mike Johnson, formerly with the R.S.P.B., who will not only talk about birds, but will also entertain us with amusing anecdotes of his experiences when ‘twitching’. John will then regale us with some light hearted observations about life on a garden centre which will be followed by a short quiz. The aim of the evening is to raise money for the Holy Trinity Appeal Fund so please support the evening and help banish those February blues. Tickets priced at £7.00 each will be available from 1st Dec 2009 at the Garden Centre or from Andrew & Nicola Stinchcombe, Tel 01275 374523. BRACKENWOOD GARDEN CENTRE - Abbots Leigh The Tea Room at Brackenwood Garden Centre is regrettably temporarily closed but please check this notice which will be updated with details of the Re-Opening in the near future. The event on 5th February is still very much on with just a few tickets now available from the Centre. The Garden Team at Brackenwood look forward to seeing visitors to the Centre with its extensive selection of home grown herbaceous perennials including many new and exciting varieties for 2010, as well of course as its range of garden materials, ornamental pots and implements. Tel: 01275-375292 Email: bracken.wood@btopenworld.com www.brackenwoodplantandgardencentre.com
Tuesday, 9th February - 10.00am - 12.30pm
HAITI EARTHQUAKE APPEAL COFFEE MORNING Grant House, North Road,Leigh Woods. Bring & Buy Cake Sale Greetings Cards Sale Raffle All proceeds to "Haiti Earthquake Appeal Fund" - The work goes on. This event is organised by TIME-OUT. Contact: Gill Ogden: 0117 973 0596
Monday 15th February, 2-4pm
TEA TIME SPECIAL - Are you free on a Monday afternoon? At: St Mary's Vestry, Leigh Woods Come for a chat, a cup of tea and a piece of cake and invite your friends. Inclusive price: £1.50 to cover expenses Speaker - TBA TTS is open to everybody. Contacts: Gill Ogden: 0117 973 0596 - Ros Wilson 0117 330 1610
Tuesday, 16th February, 5 Bannerleigh Lane, Bannerleigh Rd, Leigh Woods. 10.00am to 11.00am
PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH This group meets once a month to pray for forthcoming events in our Parish, and for vital world news. Any personal prayers are said in complete confidentiality. We welcome requests for prayers. Everyone warmly welcome to drop in for a morning or join the group. Qs & Qs Tel: 01275 372406.
Tuesdays in Lent, starting 23rd February, Oldlands, Bannerleigh Rd, Leigh Woods. Time TBA (approx 10.30 - 12.00)
LENT COURSE You are very welcome to join the parish Lent Course on the 5 Tuesdays in Lent. You don't have to be a church attender in the parish or anywhere else. The morning starts with coffee and chat. Then there's a short talk followed by an opportunity to explore some of the questions raised. If you'd like a preview: York Courses Qs & Qs: Ros Wilson 0117 330 1610; Email Ros
Saturday 27th February 2010, from 10am – 4pm
Come and join us for our PARISH AWAY DAY Three years ago the Methodist Church in Westbury-on-Trym allowed us to use their excellent facilities and catered for 40 of our folk as well. A good day was had by all. As we look to the future of our parish and our two lovely churches, we need you to help us make decisions! Ask Decia on 01275 373996 or in church for more details (full programme will be available on this website and in the churches before the day) Coffee on arrival, lunch and tea and cake at the end of the afteroon For more info or to book in for the day email Decia
Monday 1st March, 7.30pm
PCC at St Mary's Vestry If you would like to find out more about our church councils, do come and join us as an observer. Maybe with a view to joining one of the councils in April.
Thursday, 4th March, From 7.30pm
PARISH PUB NIGHT Wendy and Richard are taking bookings for the supper evenings. Cost: £10 To book a place call The George, 01275 372467
Wednesday, 10th March - 12.30 Lunch
LENT LUNCH (your one opportunity to come) St Mary's Vestry Come enjoy the one and only Lent Lunch 2010. Meet up with old friends and new. Contribution to local charity (TBA) Queries (or offers of help) Contact: Gill Ogden: 0117 973 0596
20TH MARCH 2010
HOLY TRINITY FUNDRAISING - CHARITY AUCTION – As part of the fundraising efforts for Holy Trinity Abbots Leigh, we plan to hold a fundraising auction & supper in March at Clifton College Sports pavilion. We hope to auction all sorts of items For example: days or weeks in holiday cottages, boats or barges; balloon flights or other activities; objets d’art; services – help with computers, wills, gardening days, dinner parties We hope you’ll come, but at this stage we are putting together the catalogue. If there is anything you feel able to contribute, whether in the list or something you think people would enjoy, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Amanda Webb on Amanda@jwclinic.com or 01275 372277 or either of the churchwardens. The appeal still has a long way to go - your help would be much appreciated - and you might enjoy it. Heather Wraith, Simon Holmes, churchwardens
Wednesday, 7th April, From 7.30pm
PARISH PUB NIGHT Wendy and Richard are taking bookings for the supper evenings. Cost: £10 To book a place call The George, 01275 372467
Monday, 12th April, From 7.30pm
APCM - (The Annual Meeting of the United Parish The Vestry at St Mary's All welcome (if you wish to vote or stand for one of the councils, please ensure you are on the church Electoral Roll - ask one of the church wardens for assistance)
One for you?
The Children's Society Boxes Find out more about The Children's Society here Very many thanks to all you kind people who have filled your boxes this past year. A total of £580.18 was raised. This is a very worthwhile cause in these troubled times. The boxes are emptied every March so why not have one and pop in any spare change you have - it will make a difference to a child's life! Please contact me - Barbara Burt on 01275 374504 or e mail burtjfb@aol.com
Every Wednesday
WEDNESDAY EVENING MEN'S BIBLE GROUP Meets regularly at 21 Parklands Rd, Bower Ashton at 8.00pm. New members very welcome.
Notice
WELCOME PACK If you are new to the parish or know of people moving in, do contact with details Lesley Nash for Leigh Woods (0117 973 4168) and Wo Hill for Abbots Leigh (01275 372104) to receive a Welcome Pack.
What Better than "The Secrets of Happiness" this Christmas?
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Throughout the year
Courses and retreats for all Right on our doorstep is one of the UK's most dynamic centres of Christian Spirituality. The Roman Catholic Sisters welcome all who wish to attend courses, regardless of their faith. Do go to their site to review their huge range of courses and retreats right up until March 2009. www.emmaushouse.org.uk 1 day to 4 day courses Venue: Emmaus House, Clifton