Mothering Sunday - 2nd March

During the sixteenth century, people returned to their "mother church" for a service to be held on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This is where it is thought that Mothering Sunday originates. It was often the only time that families could attend together due to conflicting working hours.
We always have something special on Mothering Sunday, so please come along and join us either at 8.00am or 9.30am. You will be welcome to share a cuppa and a chat afterwards too.

St Helena's Church, West Leake in our Benefice, (see left) reports that their Quiz Evening was most enjoyable and successful. They had over 60 attending and raised £377.

You can now view the Rector's letter, which appears in the Compass Magazine each month on http://eastleakestmarysrector.blogspot.com/.

Ringing the bells!

Did you hear the bells ringing on Friday 15th Feb. at 3.oopm? Nottingham University bellringers came and rang a quarter peal (45 mins). We missed our bells ringing when the church was closed and were so pleased to hear them again when it opened.

Our campanologists (bellringers) are always looking for people to come and join them to learn. There is a countrywide shortage of ringers and there are many churches who do not have any. Come along on Friday evenings when they practice, if you'd like to know more.

Plans are being made for the churchyard and work will begin on March 1st. We will need all the help we can get this year following the use of the open area in the churchyard for the contractor's compound, but it's already recovering thanks to a little TLC and nature.

The snowdrops are out and the churchyard is growing back.

The weather has been beautiful the past few days, and the snowdrops are out. Our churchyard has had a rough time during reordering, but the grass is growing back and it has had some TLC already. More is to come when the volunteer churchyard teams start work again next month. Come along and join them for some fresh air, exercise and good company!

Revd Mary Essex had a wonderful send off at the Songs of Praise Service yesterday, and the church was full of friends and colleagues from the Benefice and members of Churches Together. The Faith Tea was truly something to talk about too.

Talking of food, Wednesday 12th March 12noon - 2.00pm there is home made soup and cake for lunch at 16 De Ferrers Close with a plate for donations for Christian Aid. Everyone is welcome.

15th March at 7.30pm at the Royal Concert Hall the Harmonic Choir is performing Bach's St John passion. This is a wonderful way to prepare for Easter. Please contact Judith if you are interested.

Upcoming events

Please note: Things to do on Saturday, 9th February.

Rempstone Book Sale. 10.00-12.30pm

West Leake (See left) Quiz Evening - 7.30pm The last one was so much fun, come along for another evening to test your knowledge.

Lent meetings are being held by Churches Together Reflective Worship on Tuesdays at 7.30 pm - until about 9pm including refreshments after. Two of these services will be in St. Mary's - 26th Feb and 11th March.

There are also Lent meetings in the Gotham Group of parishes on Wednesdays at 7.30pm and Fridays at 2.00pm.

Pick up a flyer for further information on any of the meetings, from the churches or contact the churchwardens or the Rectors.

New Wine Christian Camp Weekend at Newark Show Ground, 26th July - 2nd August. Lydia is hoping to take a group along with Claire, who will be our curate by then. This weekend of activities and inspirational meetings is for adults as well as young people. Want to know more? Contact Lydia on 07702 815532 or via email: lydiahuckle@aol.com .

First week of Lent & farewell to Revd Mary Essex

This is the first week of Lent, so consequently Easter is very early this year - Good Friday is on the 21st March. Don't forget your pancakes on Shrove Tuesday!

Next Sunday, 10th February at 4.00pm we will be gathering for Mary Essex's farewell service (Songs of Praise) in East Leake followed by a tea in St Mary's Hall, opposite the church She will be missed by everyone in the Benefice and we hope you will come to wish Mary well in her new post.

If you would like to attend Mary's Licensing service on Sunday, 9th March at Kirkby Woodhouse, please contact the Rector or Churchwardens as a bus is being arranged for transport.

Prayers for the Benefice at Southwell Minster

Tuesday, 5th February our Benefice will be prayed for at Southwell Minster. The Benefice consists of the churches at East Leake, Costock, Rempstone, Stanford on Soar and West Leake. (See Costock church, left).

If you would like to visit the beautiful Minster and attend Evensong at 5.45pm on that day please speak to the Rector.