Thank you to all who helped over the Christmas period with decorating the church, all the various services and our fundraising and social events. Your help was much appreciated.
FAMILIES AT ST GUTHLAC’S
Children and families are always welcome at church and we have several different groups and services to cater especially for them:
Stepping Stones - a short child-friendly service which lasts about half an hour followed by refreshments - if you have young children please come along and try it out - parents, grandparents and friends are all welcome. We meet on the first Sunday in the month in the community room at the back of church for songs, prayers, a Bible story, and a craft activity. This is a service where it doesn’t matter if children wander around or are a bit noisy! Our next one is on Sunday 5th February at 3.30 pm.
Guthlac’s Gang is our Sunday School which is for ages 3 and over and meets once a month during the main Sunday morning service (usually on the 3rd Sunday). In the winter we meet at church just before 11am and go to the home of one of our leaders for games, a Bible story, crafts and fun. The next Guthlac’s Gang is on 19th February.
RoadHoG – (House of God on the Road) This is the youth bus for school year 5 (about age 10) and upwards. It parks at Fishtoft playing field every other Wednesday from 7.30pm and young people can come on board for craft activities, tuck shop, quizzes and Playstation/Wii games. Extra helpers always welcome!
Worship Together – our service on the second Sunday is aimed at everyone, including families and is particularly suitable to bring slightly older children along to. It is a more informal service, often with a live band, and has a different theme each month.
We also have a play area at the back of church where younger children have somewhere safe and child-friendly to be without having to go out of church and play boxes with activities to help keep them entertained – please ask one of the welcome team at the door if you would like to borrow one.
PASTORAL VISITING - If you know of someone who would appreciate a visit please could you let Joyce Harness know. There may be someone who is unwell and hasn’t been able to get to church for a while or who would just like some extra company. Please let us know so that we can arrange a visit from someone at St Guthlac’s. You can contact Joyce on 01205 351502
REMEMBERING SERVICE - As in past years we will be holding this service for all those who have been bereaved. It will be on Sunday 26th February at 3.30 pm and will give people a chance to remember loved ones. All are welcome.
LENT - During Lent we will be supporting the work of RoadHoG. Labels will be available shortly at the back of church to stick on a jam jar for your Lent collection which should be returned to church on Easter Sunday or as soon as possible thereafter. Thank you for your support for this valuable project which will help keep the bus on the road.
Our Lent Bible Study will meet on Tuesdays at 7.30 pm starting on 28th February – please watch out for further details.
DIAMOND JUBILEE - Plans are under way for a Fishtoft Community event to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on Bank Holiday Monday 4th June. The Playing Field Committee, Parish Council, Fishtoft School and St Guthlac’s have all been invited to get involved so please put the date in your diaries and watch out for further information. The first planning meeting will be on Tuesday 13th March.
NORMAN SCULTHORPE - Many of you will already know that sadly Norman Sculthorpe passed away on 17th January. His funeral will be at the Crematorium on Monday 30th January at 1.20 pm. Norman will be dearly missed. He, together with his wife June, have always been such committed members of St Guthlac’s until recent years when they both suffered ill health; and they contributed so much to the life and work of the parish over many years. We give thanks to God for Norman’s life and his faith and remember June and the family in our prayers.