Dear friends,
In my last update I asked for prayer for a young lad struggling with an alcohol addiction who had been working with the World Horizons Youth Development Team. It’s great to be able to tell you that he became a Christian at the end of February. I also asked for prayer for a man who had been attending the Friday evening outreach who had just become a Christian. He’s doing well, leaving a life of addiction behind and building a new life with Jesus : )
During March I have …

23-03-13flier

Dear friends,
In my last update I told you about a trip I was making at the end of January to the Thatcham/Newbury area with a small team from World Horizons, primarily to pray for the local church, local and global mission. The trip was a really special time. We met many people, found out about a lot of exciting projects which local churches were running and had some great times of prayer. We really felt guided by God throughout the trip, thank you for your prayers!
During February our teaching has …

I was a stranger and you welcomed me
Women’s World Day of Prayer is a unique organisation; truly interdenominational and truly international, it speaks with the voices of women from all corners of the globe. Involvement in WWDP creates a network of Christian women on a worldwide scale which also reaches into our local communities. Preparations go on for months in advance. Finally, on March 1st, services are held around the world and locally women and men will be gathering at St Mary’s Church, Thatcham at 7.30pm to celebrate using a …

Enjoy Fairtrade Fortnight and the Traidcaft Big Brew
Saturday 2nd March 10-12.30pm at Methodist Church Thatcham
St. Mary’s & St. Barnabas are supporting this by making cakes to sell, each must contain one Fair Trade ingredient.
Free fairtrade teas and coffees
Traidcraft stall provided by Shoemakers

Bruce Blaine of St George’s Church Wash Common will be our speaker at the Men’s Fellowship Breakfast on Saturday 2nd March 2013 at the Regency Park Hotel.
St George’s is aiming to be one of the first churches in the country to be carbon neutral.
Tickets £6 (or £8 with a bacon butty) from Colin Stone or Kevin Dunwell.
Remember you don’t have to be a man to attend this fascinating event!

St Mary’s Mothers’ Union has an active branch with varied and interesting speakers at our meetings, which are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month. If you would like to be part of what St. Mary’s Mothers’ Union is doing please come along and join us – you can be assured of a very warm welcome.
Meetings are open to everyone (men and women) and there is no requirement to be a member of the Mothers’ Union.
Meetings are normally held at St Mary’s Church Thatcham at 2pm
Dates for your diary
27th …

Every Friday at 12.30 at the Methodist Church Thatcham from 15th February – 22nd March and then at St Mary’s on Good Friday 29th March.
Come for soup, bread and cheese followed by coffee, all for a donation to Christian Aid.
ALL AGES WELCOME
DID YOU KNOW…. The amount rich countries spend on dog food is the almost the same as the amount needed to eradicate world hunger and malnutrition.
Can’t make lunch this week? Take a look at the attached placemat for food for thought.Super-Soup-Lunch-Placemat-18-24-Feb-2013_tcm15-65533

Berkshire Women’s Aid – Judith delivered 23 carrier bags of toiletries and other items to the charity. We also collected £76, most of which came from donations following the Advent service and lunch in December.
Guide Dogs – (This is the new name of Guide Dogs for the Blind.) Lots of extra stamps were donated over the festive season. Thank you to Margaret Robinson who passes on the stamps to the charity. Stamps may be donated throughout the year – there is a basket at the back of St Mary’s. Remember …

A Choir Leader / Music Leader is required immediately by St Mary’s Church, Thatcham, to lead our established SATB choir and complement our excellent organist in maintaining a strong tradition of music in the Parish.
Remuneration is negotiable.
For further details, you can download the PDF Job Description here…
or contact the Parish Office on 01635 862277 or admin.stmarysthatcham@ntlbusiness.com