4th before Lent

Foodbank

Please don't forget to bring your contributions to church or the local Co-op shops. Your contributions are still very much needed and really valued. 

There is also always a need call for toiletries - soap, shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste and so on - and pet food.

Advance notice- Sing4Fun - on Wednesday February 20 (half term week)

From 10 – 4pm at St. John’s Church, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8RN. 
For all aged 8 – 18; Cost per participant £10. 
To book visit elyrscm.org.uk or email Lydia Cant at lydia.cant@elyrscm.org.uk

2018 Food bank Annual Report for The Three Rivers Group

A very big Thank You for the significant amount of donations received from yourselves. 
Howard & Bren (Soham Distribution Co-ordinators)

24 families in the villages comprising the Three Rivers Group received 3-day emergency food supplies. In total, 146 adults and 140 children were fed.

The villages comprising the Three Rivers Group donated 1208 kg of food and other goods.

Sunday Services in the Three Rivers Group

 February  10 – 4 before Lent

• 9.30am Isleham – Eucharist 

• 9.30am Snailwell – Eucharistt

• 11am Fordham – Eucharist

• 11am Chippenham – Eucharist

• 3.30pm Fordham – Messy Church 

Carol’s Research Project

Carol is taking a 3-month break from taking services on Sunday in order to help with a research project.  You may see her around from time to time and she'll be properly back in action in April.

The Monday  Prayer Group - next on February 11

The Prayer Group is not meeting on Monday February 4

The prayer group meets at 1.30pm on Mondays for an hour of prayer. We meet at 1 West Street, Isleham. 

Tuesday mornings - opportunities to meet:

• Fordham church cafe in the undercroft 
  From 9am onwards. Refreshments and play area for children.
  

• St Andrew's Isleham Coffee morning at The Social Centre
  Tea, coffee, cake and bacon rolls, from 9am-12noon. 

If you are interested and would like to know more about the Day Centre please contact Judith Wood. Tel: 01638 720328.

Fordham Day  Centre Lunch Club - next on Wednesday February 6

Fordham Day Centre is a lunch club for older people and meets on the 1st and 4th Wednesday of each month from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

We meet at Withers’ Place community room for company, chat and food. Coffee and tea are provided on arrival, then lunch and a cup of tea before you leave.

We have a “mobility” taxi available, if needed, for transport to and from the meetings. The Day Centre is run by volunteers (not carers) who cook and look after the members.

Open Mission Shaped Ministry Course - next on February 7 and 28

Mel is now heading into the second and final year of her placement with us. There is an opportunity to join Mel on a 'Mission Shaped Ministry' course for anybody who is interested in finding out more about Fresh Expressions, mission and how to engage more with people currently outside of the church. 

Sessions will normally run on the first Thursday of each month, 9:30 - 1pm in Bishop Woodford House Ely, led by Rev. Jonnie Parkin, starting on October 4. Please contact Mel if you are interested in attending.

Messy Church - next on February 10 at Fordham at 3.30pm

For families - Crafts, story/song session and a simple meal at Fordham church from 3.30-5.30pm on the second Sunday of the month.

If you know anyone who would like to take part, or you would like to help in any way please do speak to one of the Ministry Team.

Messy Church - needs Lego and Duplo

We would be very grateful for donations of pre-loved Lego and Duplo bricks and figures. Please contact Sue or Mel. 

Messy Church - Help needed!

Please would you consider becoming a leader or helper, either on a regular or occasional basis? Contact Sue for further information. 

Mothers' Union  - next on Wednesday February 13 

A talk on ‘Shine a Light’ (a Newmarket based group) at Chippenham village hall at 2.30pm.

All welcome.

Mums+ - next on February 15

Mums+ is a monthly coffee morning for fun, conversation and sharing our questions of life, faith and parenthood – all ages welcome. For more details contact Laura Cox-Watson 01638 724839.

Upcoming dates -

• 9.15am February 15, at Scotsdales Fordham

• 9.15am March 15, at Scotsdales Fordham

• 9.15am April  26, at Scotsdales Fordham

Contact: Laura Cox-Watson on 01638-724839.

Sing4Fun - on Wednesday February 20 (half term week)

From 10 – 4pm at St. John’s Church, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8RN. 
For all aged 8 – 18; Cost per participant £10. 
To book visit elyrscm.org.uk or email Lydia Cant at lydia.cant@elyrscm.org.uk

Opportunities

Volunteers drivers needed for the Three Rivers Car Scheme

Volunteers are needed for the Three Rivers Car Scheme. Please get in touch with Muriel Hood on 01638 666722.

Baptism visitors

Having previously asked if there were people who were interested in helping us welcome the families of children being baptised by becoming baptism visitors, we'll mention it again in case anyone wants to come forward. 

Prayers for healing

We are also considering offering prayers for healing at some of our Sunday services. If anyone is interested in learning some more, please speak to David or Sue.

Learning more about our Faith

Take up for the Way of Life courses has not been as strong as we would have liked.  If our churches are to flourish they need to be places where we can all talk about our faith.  

What would help you to talk about your faith more confidently?  Bible study? Alpha course? Christian Basics? Prayer Group? 

If we don't speak about faith how will new people share it? Please speak to David or Sue.

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Fordham Enclosures Map

We have in the parish chest a map of Fordham from 1809. This item would be better cared for under archive conditions, so it is our intention to deposit it I the county records office. It will still be accessible to people in Cambridge once deposited. If you would like to look at it before it goes away or you know people who might be interested, please get them to contact Rev'd David to arrange a time to view. I think we will hope to deposit the map later this year.

Report of Training Day ‘Caring for God’s Earth’
at Michaelhouse, 10 October 2018

Thanks to Bridget Newns-Copper. Click to download PDF (280Kb)

Pioneer Partner Review

The diocese is reviewing the Pioneer Partner scheme, evaluating where it has been successful. David and Mel will be feeding in to this process but the diocese is keen that other Churchgoers voices should be heard. If you could write or few words or talk to Mel or David to pass on comments that would be appreciated.

November 11 - Armistice Day
Centenary of the end of the First World War

Annual Parochial Church Meeting - Reports for download

The ACPM held on Tuesday April 24 at Fordham School. A speaker from the Diocesan Stewardship Department made a presnetaion at the start of the meeting.

Reports (in PDF format) from the Group and the parishes can be downloaded from the links below:

• Annual report for the Three Rivers Group.

• Annual Report for Chippenham.

• Annual report for Fordham.

• Annual report for Isleham.

• Annual report for Kennett.

• Annual report for Snailwell.

Advice and guidance on security for places of worship

"The news from France and the random, cold blooded murder of the Roman Catholic priest Father Jacques Hamel has been a shock to many of us. It is also very unsettling as it is a Priest doing what so many of us do, simply going about our normal ministry. However, that doesn't mean we should be fearful or overly concerned. We do need to be careful. "

The Ven Hugh McCurdy, Archdeacon of Huntingdon & Wisbech and The Ven Dr Alex Hughes, Archdeacon of Cambridge write: 

"The police have been working with church leaders in the UK to establish a communication network through which reassurance and guidance to the Christian community can be passed. Last week’s murder of a priest in France is a terrible tragedy, but we must use it to test our ability to communicate to this wider network and I want to offer the following advice. 

Church leaders and their congregations should remain alert not alarmed.
There is no current intelligence to suggest any attack planning of this nature in this country. However it makes sense for all church leaders to review their security plans and to encourage their flock to be vigilant. Any suspicious behaviour should be reported immediately through 999."

Church Schools

Our Diocese of Ely Multi Academy Trust (DEMAT) is growing fast.  When schools become Academies, Church Schools have to go into a Church Trust.  So far in our Diocesan Schools’ family (83 Primaries and 1 Secondary), some 20 plus primaries are part of the Trust.  Canon Peter Maxwell is the Chair of the Trust and Mike is a Director.  The two schools in our Parish are considering Academy Status.

There will be a Government White Paper in a couple of months time and we expect it to propose that all schools become Academies very shortly.  If you would like to know more about Church Schools then do ask David or Peter.

Bishop of Ely's statement on Syrian refugee crisis

Thank you to everyone who focused their prayer last week on the refugee and migrant crisis. Please continue to pray for a sane and just solution.  

Suggestions of what we can do as individuals and as churches are included in the Bishop of Ely’s statement on the crisis.

Speaking about the Syrian refugee crisis, the Bishop of Ely, the Rt Revd Stephen Conway said: ‘The Bible tells us to love our neighbour, but many more times to love the stranger. The Syrian refugees, whether they have made it as far as Europe or not, are our sisters and brothers. We need to offer a Biblical welcome. The refugees’ burden of fear, loss and deprivation is our burden. We must find a language of welcome, not suspicion.

‘We should be proud of Britain’s ongoing commitment to overseas aid and humanitarian relief. We must support people in refugee camps in and around Syria. And we also have a responsibility within Europe to share the burden of countries like Greece and Italy, among the first entry points. 

‘Britain must participate fully in a European welcome for those who are vulnerable and fleeing violence and oppression. We must welcome all – Muslim and Christians equally; but we should remember that many refugees are Christians from villages which have lived the faith since Apostolic times.

‘I invite us all to continue to pray and to consider what other help we may provide, for example supporting one of the charities at work on the ground.’

A number of charities and non-governmental organisations have opened appeals specifically aimed at helping the plight of refugees. 

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The institution of the Rev’d David Cleugh - October 20 at Fordham

The institution of the Rev’d David Cleugh as Rector of the Three Rivers Group by the Bishop of Ely was held on Friday, October 20 in St Peter and St Mary Magdalene, Fordham. 

There was a good turnout with excellent music during the service and splendid refreshments afterwards.  Thanks to all who helped to make it a great occasion.

 David and his wife Hannah, who is the Senior Chaplain to the Bishop of Ely, will live at the vicarage in Fordham.

Advice and guidance on security for places of worship

"The news from France and the random, cold blooded murder of the Roman Catholic priest Father Jacques Hamel has been a shock to many of us. It is also very unsettling as it is a Priest doing what so many of us do, simply going about our normal ministry. However, that doesn't mean we should be fearful or overly concerned. We do need to be careful. "

The Ven Hugh McCurdy, Archdeacon of Huntingdon & Wisbech and The Ven Dr Alex Hughes, Archdeacon of Cambridge write: 

"The police have been working with church leaders in the UK to establish a communication network through which reassurance and guidance to the Christian community can be passed. Last week’s murder of a priest in France is a terrible tragedy, but we must use it to test our ability to communicate to this wider network and I want to offer the following advice. 

Church leaders and their congregations should remain alert not alarmed.
There is no current intelligence to suggest any attack planning of this nature in this country. However it makes sense for all church leaders to review their security plans and to encourage their flock to be vigilant. Any suspicious behaviour should be reported immediately through 999."

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Pewsheet

If you have items for inclusion in the pewsheet then do speak to any of the Ministry Team, or ring Phil Hearing (Group administrator) on Wednesday mornings, when, usually, it is compiled on 01638-721616.

St Peter and St Mary Magdalene, Fordham

• More 100 Club Members needed. If you would like to join, or know anyone who would like to join, please speak to our PCC secretary Jane Foulds for more details.

• Roger Palmer and the bell ringing team would be delighted to welcome anyone who would like to ring. Bell ringers meet on Thursdays in the tower; please speak to Roger about this.

• David Poulter would welcome new members for the choir. The choir meets for rehearsal on Fridays, in the early evening during term time, and sings at the principal service on Sundays and Choral Evensong once a month.

• If you would like to help with reading or intercessions then please do speak to Rev'd David or Rev'd Sue. 

Fordham Day Centre

Is looking for volunteers to help at the weekly meeting for senior members of our community. If you would like to help then please talk to Judith Wood, Doreen Rule or Rev'd David.

Thefts from our churches

Both Kennett and Chippenham have had substantial amounts of lead stolen from their roofs. A section of Fordham’s lightning conductor was also taken, making the building unsafe and unprotected.  Do please keep an eye out for any illegal behaviour around our churches and report it speedily both to the Police and to Churchwardens. Vigilance is essential these days I am afraid.

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Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to read, lead intercessions, take up the collection, arrange flowers, ring bells, make coffee, welcome newcomers, visit Baptism families etc etc in all our churches. If you would like to help, then please do be in touch with Mike or Kate and we will provide training if necessary and encouragement in any case.

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