Dear friends,

Here in Basildon, Aldworth and Ashampstead, our doors are open to all, regardless of background or beliefs. We believe that the message of Christ is for everyone, and we strive to create a welcoming environment where all can feel at home and safe to explore the boundless goodness of God. Whether you're seeking spiritual guidance and encounter, a sense of community, or simply a place to explore your faith, there's a place for you to feel at home. Across the villages we host a wide range of service styles and times from more traditional using prayer books, to modern ones with praise songs. We invite you to join this weekend as we come together in fellowship and worship together.

Love,

Revd Grant

SERVICEs THIS WEEKend

Lent Group 2024

Rosemary and Jonathan invite you to a new small group at their house on Thursday evenings (more or less fortnightly).

We will be looking at Acts, reflecting on growing as a church, discovering some principles for following the Spirit’s call to put out into deep water.

Each session starts with a short video, then we will read and discuss the passage and pray together.

Where Sakura Upper Basildon RG8 8LU    

Start time 7:30pm

8th February Session 1 Acts 16:6-34 “Put out into deep water and let your nets down for a catch”

22nd February Session 2 Acts 17:1-34 Different places, different ways

29th February Session 3 Acts 19:1-41 The church impacting society

14th March Session 4 Acts 20:17-38 Being more like Christ

Confirmation Service - 28th April 2024

We are thrilled to announce an upcoming service of confirmation on the 28th of April at St. Stephen’s Church which will be for the whole benefice. This joyous occasion marks a significant milestone in the spiritual journey of people in our community. This marvellous service will be taken by Bishop Tim Wambunya, an Oxford Diocese Assistant Bishop.

If you or someone you know is exploring confirmation at this time, please get in touch with Revd Grant so we can discuss the service, preparation and arrangements.

Books for Dolly

An invitation from Alison & Charlie Laing:

Happy New Year! We hope you can join us again to raise money for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Specifically, the money we raise goes towards helping looked after children in West Berkshire; children enrolled on this amazing programme receive a book every month between the age of 0 and 5 years old. For more information see imaginationlibrary.com Helen from Imagination Library will be with us too.

RSVP helpful for numbers. Do come and browse; chat; eat croissants; talk books and see if we can tempt you to some wonderful reading material - all genres from the daft; the delightful and the must reads. We have books for all ages - fiction and non-fiction.

scramlaing@hotmail.com - Alison (mobile): 07702 702554

mike’s new book!

Last year, W M Henry and Michael Penny agreed to write a book on Christian Unity.

The book – Unity in Christ – has just been published.

You can see details of the book on The Open Bible Trust’s website – www.obt.org.uk

It costs £6.45 and can be ordered from that website or directly from:

The Open Bible Trust, Fordland Mount, Upper Basildon, Reading, RG8 8LU.

To pay by card, please order from the website, or phone 01491-671357

Services next week