Notices for the week 31st January 2010

A new daughter for the Truemans
Congratulations to Campbell and Sarah Trueman on the birth of their daughter Jemima Jane, born last Sunday January 24th, weighing 7lbs 14 ozs.

News from the Laceys
The Rev Allan and Anne Lacey, our CMS mission partners in Arua have been back in the UK for Christmas and New Year, but have had their return to Uganda delayed to February 16th because Allan broke his ankle in the snow. They have written a message to us (copies in the Dovetail Centre), and included this: "There was a pastors conference in the diocese last weekend and the Bishop asked Allan to email a photo of the broken leg so that they could pray over the photo! We duly did so, and the verdict from the Fracture Clinic today was that the bone was healing well, so we thank God." Please read their news, and hold Allan and Anne in your prayers.

Walk Through the New Testament
Want to find out more about the New Testament in a lively interactive environment? Then Walk Through the New Testament on Saturday 20th February 9.30am-5pm at St Margaret's Church, Uxbridge, could be for you. You will certainly not be bored and will learn lots. Cost is £14 per person, which includes a guide book through the New Testament. More information from  01895 258766

Give to the DEC Haiti appeal
None of us can have failed to be moved and shocked by the scale of the suffering after the earthquake in Haiti. In the UK, the Disasters Emergency Committee is running a co-ordinated approach by 13 humanitarian agencies, including Christian Aid, Tearfund and Save the Children.
How to donate funds: You can go on-line to http://www.dec.org.uk/donate_now/  or Phone: Call 0370 60 60 900 or Text: Text “GIVE” to 70077 to donate £5 to the DEC for the Haiti earthquake appeal. You pay £5 plus your standard network SMS charge or Post: Please send a cheque made payable to DEC HAITI EARTHQUAKE and send it to DEC HAITI EARTHQUAKE, PO BOX 999, LONDON, EC3A 3AA. Or go to any high street bank or post office quoting Freepay 1449

Holy Communion and Swine Flu: an update
At its meeting last week the PCC decided to revert to our 'usual' distribution of Holy Communion at our celebrations of the Eucharist. The Archbishops' advice to churches concerning the Swine Flu pandemic is that we return to our regular practice but exercise vigilance. This means that if you wish to receive communion only in one kind, then simply step away from the sanctuary step once you've received the bread. For the time being we will continue to administer the bread to hands only and not onto the tongue. If you have a cold sore, then please continue to take communion in one kind (the bread) only. Remember that the Church teaches that we receive Christ in the sacrament "fully and efficaciously" in one kind of communion. Please observe good personal hygiene practices and don't come to church if you have flu-like symptoms. Communion assistants will continue to use alcohol gel rub on their hands before assisting with the distribution.

21st Century Parent - It's not too late to join!
We started running an informal parenting course last week, during Kidzone. Each week we will be watching a short DVD from the organisation Care for the Family about issues such as Boundaries, the Testing Child and Building a Sense of Value and then chatting together about the topic. All parents are welcome to attend, whether or not you usually come to Kidzone. Caroline Newbold

Take note: Special services coming up
Sunday February 14th at 10am the Rev Neil Evans, Director of Professional Development for the London Diocese, is visiting to preach and commission Hilary Knight as a Commissioned Minister for Music for St Joseph's. Please do your best to come along and offer Hilary your support.
The season of Lent begins on Wednesday February 17th with two opportunities for worship, Eucharists at 10am and 8pm.

SING Evaluation Meeting - Tuesday 9th Feb 7.30pm
The summer seems along time ago but it would be great for all who were part of the SING 09 team to join together for a meeting to discuss what we thought of it and how we can make next year even better!
Please let Chris or Sue know if you CAN or CAN'T come. Thank you.

Pantomime at St Richard's, Northolt
St Mary's and St Richard's parish present 'The Wizard of Oz', on Saturday February 6th, performances at 3.30pm and 6pm at St Richard's, Sussex Crescent, Northolt. Adults £2, children £1. More information from 020 8841 5691.

People begging at church
If someone approaches you at church or in the Dovetail Centre and asks for money, please do not give them any. For example, a woman was begging at services and in the centre recently. We have the Vicar's Discretionary Fund for this purpose, through which there is money we can use to buy food or necessities in an emergency, or a bus ticket/travel card for those in need. The staff team's policy is never to give money out to people on demand, however compelling their story. We always aim to offer callers a cup of tea or coffee and something to eat. Please help us stick to this policy, and if you would like to make a donation (preferably gift aided) to the Vicar's Discretionary Fund, please see
Simon, the Vicar or Steve, our Treasurer.

Church Cleaning: We have a very small group of dedicated people who faithfully clean the church and Dovetail centre week by week. It would be great if a few more people could join the team and go on the rota. Everyone benefits from a clean church and centre! All we are asking is for a couple of hours commitment on a Saturday once every four weeks. Please speak to me for more details. Thank you, June Chick.

New Wine Women's Day Saturday February 27th
Westminster Central Hall, with Debra Green and Mike Pilavachi. £20 per person. Are any St Joseph's women interested in forming a group to go? More details at http://www.new-wine.org/events/Women%27s%20Days.htm

Prayer Board
Don't forget to update any requests on the prayer board if you want them to stay on the list next month

A Prayer for Candlemas (The Presentation of Christ in the Temple)
Lord God, you kept faith with Simeon and Anna
and showed them the infant King.
Give us grace to put all our trust in your promises,
and the patience to work for their fulfilment;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.