It was lovely to meet Bethan in church last Sunday and to see her passion for Compassion as I could relate to what she was saying. As most of you know I have just returned from a fabulous holiday in Australia with beautiful scenery from The Great Barrier Reef, the rainforests, and beaches, and then onto Thailand, Philippines, and Indonesia where some of the children she spoke about lived of which I saw for myself the extremely poor unsanitary conditions they lived in. They didn't complain but just got on with the life.
They had cardboard and string for shoes and rags literally covered their bodies. Regardless of this, most of them had a Christian faith and were very proud of their churches and eager to show me around them.

After returning home, I went with Brenda to meet up with the Muslim ladies from Ahmadiyya Muslim Women's Association in Bradford who hosted another catch up with lunch. (my husband likes me to go as we always come home with a bag full of left over goodies!). There were a few new ladies from the mosque and the usual ladies from other churches who joined us and to listen about all their cultures, prayers, faith, and servant heart is very humbling.
We were chatting about how each of us serve our church or mosque and the Muslim ladies told us they are each given a voluntary role to do.
After Rob's Family Notices on Sunday about needing to recruit volunteers to help at Church, this may be the way to go for us...

The Muslim ladies were preparing for Ramadan while we're preparing for Holy week and Easter, which is the most important religious festival for Christians.
Hopefully during the school holidays when church is not as busy it will give me time to think about how I can continue to serve St. Wilfrid's, as like Dan, I pass yet another milestone in my journey through faith.
Where will yours take you?

With every blessing,
Sandra Tempest

Sunday 2nd April - Palm Sunday
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday with services at the normal time of 9:15am and 11am. At both services, we'll be treated to a dramatic reading of The Passion, taken from the Gospel of Matthew. We reflect and remember the events of the week, beginning with Palm Sunday when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, and cumulating in His crucifixion and resurrection.
And then tomorrow afternoon at 4pm in Church, our Bereavement team invite you, your family, and your friends to a special service of Thanksgiving & Remembrance. This is an opportunity to come together to enjoy a short reflective service, with a few short readings, some familiar hymns, prayers for those we miss and for ourselves, and a chance to light a candle in remembrance. Many find this to be a source of comfort and hope.
We hope you can join us.

Easter Flowers
We will be decorating the Church on Easter Saturday, 8th April between 9am-12pm.Donations of daffodils & spring flowers, plus green foliage are needed, or donations in the green flower fund box on the welcome table.
As always, anyone wishing to help and join our Friendly Flower Team are very welcome to join us. Coffee, tea, & biscuits are always provided.
Many Thanks & Blessings, Kim Pollard & Sally.

Easter Eggs
We still have some Real Easter Eggs available in church to purchase for £5.
These are the only Fairtrade eggs to include a copy of the Easter story in the box. Buy one for family, friends, or donate one to the food bank.

Rhythm of Life – Follow-up
We know many of you really enjoyed journeying through lent on the Dioceses 'Rhythm of Life' course.
If you're interested in exploring the disciplines and give further attention to your own 'Rhythm of Life’, you may like to consider the following options:
· Complete a ‘Taking Stock’ questionnaire online here.
· Browse all the 'Rhythm of Life' online resources here.
· Join an online ‘Get Started’ session here.ck here.
· Sign up to receive details of Rhythm of Life resources and activities.

Restored Webinars – Who’s coming?
Richard’s recent sermon has got us thinking about how we can be better equipped to be a source of hope and help for those caught in Domestic Violence. Restored run a project called 'Beacons of Hope', training churches to do just this. Some of us will be going on a webinar to find out more about it on 22nd June at 12pm for an hour. If you’d like to come, simply sign up online here, and please let Revd. Rob know. You're also welcome to purchase a paper or electronic copy of the booklet Richard spoke about on their website here.

Chrism Eucharist
The Chrism Eucharist is a special occasion at which the Diocesan Bishop presides and leads clergy in the renewal of their ordination vows, and at which the Bishop will invite the lay people present to re-affirm their commitment to Christian discipleship. This year it's being held at Wakefield Cathedral on Maundy Thursday (6th April) at 11am. If anyone would like to come with Rob, please let him know.

Please send any items to be included in our weekly Family Newsletter to [email protected]

The work and ministry of Calverley Parish Church is supported by the generous giving of the church community, we receive no outside funding.
You can make a donation or sign up to regular monthly giving, including Gift Aid, at our Parish Giving page online here.
Thank You for your support.