Curran's update

David and Dawn Curran, our CMS Mission Partners send their thanks for all your prayers. They have been unwell for the past month in the 40 degree heat in Lahore. In between, they've managed to obtain their Pakistani Driving Licences and David is planning to register to practice as a doctor there. Their eldest daughter, Faye is soon to celebrate her 4th birthday, Sian is getting quite chatty and learning fast. Boaz however is now crawling and has to be watched carefully. They are on the move again too. Please see the link to their latest exploits on the website under 'Curran's latest news'.

Sunday, 11.15am - 'Let's Praise' Service following our 8.00am and 9.30am services. Come along and join us if you like a less formal service.

Most of all, enjoy your May Day Bank Holiday weekend! Let's give thanks for all the good things in life.

Concert events and the Election.

Last Sunday the concert at St Helena's Church, West Leake was very well attended and very much enjoyed. We hope that the St Peter's Choir, Nottingham raised a good sum towards their organ.

This week rehearsals continue for the concert at the newly re-ordered St Lawrence Church, Gotham by the Borderlands Choir on 14th and 15th May, entitled 'Here and Now'. Several members of St Mary's Church are part of the choir or manage the sound systems. The concert is free and previous concerts have been very popular, so put the dates in your diary and go along.

Don't forget that as we approach the Bank Holiday May Day weekend, that the General Election takes place the following Thursday. Please don't get turned off by all the hype and confusion. Your vote is important now more than ever in our troubled country. This is your chance to make a difference, so use the time to relax, pray and think through carefully where, as Christians your vote should go.

St George's Day!

Today is April 23rd, when we celebrate St George's Day, patron saint of England (and also several other countries) and there will be many events happening throughout the country.

At St Mary's Sunday will be a busy day. 8.00am and 9.30am service with All Stars as usual, followed by a baptism at 12noon. Sunday Sanctuary for Young People will meet again at 5.00pm in the church too. There is something for everyone. Why not come along?

On Saturday, St Peter's Choir from Nottingham will be holding a concert at St Helena's Church, West Leake at 7.30pm. It should be a lovely evening with good weather to match. They will be very pleased to see you. There is usually a wonderful show of primroses in the churchyard to admire too.

Fashions

The women of East Leake are certainly fond of fashion, if the attendance at the Womens Group Fashion Show last night was anything to go by. Approximately 80 ladies attended and were shown hundreds of clothes from all the favourite High Street stores and some special ones from France and Italy. Six members of the Womens Group volunteered to act as models and did an excellent job.

The church seating was moved to create a modelling walkway down the main aisle and the clothing from SOS Fashions was described by Suzanne Silveston. Congratulations are due to the members of St Mary's Womens Group who organised the successful event, providing some welcome funds for the church.

We welcome Revd John Bentham, our Area Dean who is preaching on Sunday at St Mary's at both the 8.00am and 9.30am services.

Our All Stars will have a new special session in St Mary's Hall during the 9.30am service. The All Stars team will be taking them on each 3rd Sunday in the month.

Sunday Sanctuary will meet again at 5.00am in the church. They will be meeting approximately every two weeks.

On Saturday, there is a Cursillo service and welcome for those who have not been before, at 2.30pm in the church. All are welcome.

On Monday, the Women's Group Fashion Show will be held in the church at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5. See below.

What's on this week?

Today, Monday is the Mothers Union, Quiet Day in church starting at 10.00am.

• Tonight is the Annual Parochial Church Meeting at 7.30pm in church.
• Acorns Mother and Toddler group start the new term on Tues. 13th at 1.30pm in the Hall
• Wed. 14th, 10.00am: Holy Communion
• Fri. 16th 10.00-12.00noon - Coffee Morning.
• Sat. 17th 2.30pm - Cursillo Encouragement Service in church. Everyone welcome.

Don't forget the Women's Group Fashion Show next Monday in the church at 7.30pm. Get your tickets NOW! £5 each from Margaret - 853619, or Shirley - 853272.

'Showstoppers' Children's Holiday Club!

Were you there? Did you have fun? If you wondered what went on at Showstoppers Holiday Club this week or missed it, see the photos below created by all three of the Teams. They were named after Shows or Films such as G-Force, Pirates of the Caribbean and Shrek. The three mornings consisted of approximately 40 children singing fun songs with plenty of actions (and exercise) and doing crafts, and fun work sheets related to the Bible stories and Bible verses. These were God's wonderful Creation, David and Goliath and the life of Jesus ending with the Easter story. The stories were brought alive by 'Batman and Robin', 'Robin Hood and his Merry Men' and 'actors' playing them out. Not forgetting our Technical Team who provided the videos and music. It was certainly a jolly, noisy affair supported by lots of helpers providing refreshments. On the final day parents were invited to come for the awards and enjoyed hot dogs for all. More photos on our website! Don't forget! Monday 12th is St Mary's Annual Parochial Church Meeting in the church at 7.30pm. It's important that we share what's been happening this year and what our plans are.

Showstoppers Easter Kids Club

Showstoppers Club starts tomorrow at 9.30am-12noon, taking place in both St Mary's Church and Hall. We have over 30 youngsters pre-registered and can take up to 50. So if you haven't registered yet, please come early tomorrow to make sure your child can take part. Please put in your diary, Monday, 19th April for the Fashion Show by St Mary's Womens' Group at 7.30pm in the church. Tickets are £5 from either Shirley or Margaret. See details on our website.

Good News!

Today we celebrate that our Lord Jesus Christ has overcome death and is risen. He was cruelly crucified and yet He's alive, here, today and forever! Hallelujah!

Our prayers have also been answered (again). Revd David Gorick is well enough to come out of hospital and is home for Easter. We wish him a good recovery and our prayers continue to be with him and Janet.