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INTIMATIONS

A CANDLE IN THE WINDOW         Journeying with Covid 19        Revd Dr Peter Millar
Early in January of 2016 (as many of you already know) I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (cancer in the bone marrow). Myeloma is at the present time incurable but it is treatable and I am deeply grateful for the last five years of life. More than grateful! However, from the start of the pandemic it has been made clear to me in various circular letters from the Scottish Government and the National Health Service that I would have to ‘shield’ and that if I did get the virus it may present real health difficulties, given that I survived the virus. Naturally I was delighted that I kept free of the virus in 2020 but in mid-February I was told I was positive. A few days later I became very ill and was admitted to hospital where I was soon receiving oxygen. Initially the outlook was not great, but I have pulled through and am now back home - full of gratitude to the amazing NHS, to the Source of Life who holds us all each day, to my loving and supportive family and to the many friends around the world who held me in their prayers. The Spring sunshine streaming through my windows at home has never felt more beautiful and comforting! For me a new chapter has opened as my strength returns day by day.

The full article may be read here

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SUPPORT US  Regular and one-off donations, now possible through: www.give.net/20311853 

PASTORAL CARE AND PRAYERS   Thank you to all of you who are continuing with your phone chains. They are still very much appreciated by those receiving them. We are still not able to visit you in your home, but we have hope that change is on the horizon.

Remember to inform the Ministry team if you are due to go into hospital or you know of anyone who would value us being in contact with them. Maybe you would like us to hold you in prayer? Please contact Kay with your details on 07903 266 307.

CROSSREACH PERINATAL SERVICES – MARCH GIVING   This covid period, and all of the associated restrictions, has been a particularly hard time for those with new babies and small children. CrossReach Perinatal Services (Mayfield Salisbury’s local charity) continue to offer support to families remotely, as has been the case since the first lockdown last year. They hope to return to face to face work in July.

In addition to their existing services including couple and individual counselling and group therapy, CrossReach has some new initiatives. They are launching a new group specifically for fathers managing anxiety, they also hope to extend their offer of infant massage so that more families have access to it, and in addition they are planning a new birth trauma group for mothers who have given birth during lockdown.

Once again, instead of our usual bucket collection to support the work of CrossReach Perinatal Services, we are asking you to help by giving direct to CrossReach in one of the following ways:

· Online giving  Visit the www.crossreach.org.uk page and click the purple 'Donate' button at the top right of the page. This takes you to a Just Giving page which is for general CrossReach donations but there is a box in which you can “Add a message of support” and please would you type in there that the donation is for Perinatal Services (or PNS) which will ensure funds are routed to PNS. Please note that Just Giving automatically adds a platform fee but this can be changed to zero if preferred (with no reduction in the amount that is then routed to PNS). There is also the opportunity to gift aid your donation.

· Postal giving   CrossReach would be happy to receive any cheques by post which should be payable to “CrossReach” and sent to Supporter Development, CrossReach, Charis House, 47 Milton Road East, Edinburgh, EH15 2SR. If you could send cheques with a covering letter to let CrossReach know that the donation is for perinatal services, and if you wish to gift aid then please note that in your letter. In order to gift aid, CrossReach needs a note of your name and address.

Please continue to show your support for the very worthwhile work of Crossreach PNS, either financially in one of the ways highlighted above, and/or by keeping the staff, volunteers and families supported in your prayers. Finally, CrossReach would welcome any new volunteers for their creche (which they plan to reopen when they return to face to face work) and any new volunteer counsellors.

HOW ETHICAL IS YOUR EASTER EGG?    We all love chocolate don’t we? And at this time of year the shops are full of tempting Easter eggs - from mini to enormous! How can we choose an egg that delights our taste buds, while conforming to our ethical and eco values?

The Ethical Consumer magazine in April 2019 rated their Best Buys according to several ethical and eco standards. These are environment, people, animals, politics, product sustainability, and company ethos.

Cocoa Loco F, O, P, (V); Plamil F, O, V, (P); Divine F, P, (V); Traidcraft F, (V, P); Booja Booja F, O, P, V; Montezuma F, O, P, (V); Moo Free F, O, P, (V). F-Fairtrade; O-organic; P- palm oil free; V- vegan

A more recent addition to this list is an online company, Tony’s Chocolonely.

Companies to avoid: Cadbury’s; Creme Egg; Twirl; Green and Black’s; Nestle; Terry’s; Aero; KitKat; Smarties.
Source: www.ethicalconsumer.org

You might like to check out two UTube video documentaries, that give an eye opening account of the child trafficking and exploitation that goes on within the cocoa trade.  The Dark Side of Chocolate, and its sequel Shady Chocolate.

PASTORAL CARE   Remember we need you to inform us if someone is ill or due to go into hospital. Perhaps you would now like to have a pastoral visitor or receive a regular phone call?We would be delighted to hear from you and will respond to your request. Contact Kay on 07903 266 307.

ECO UPDATES  Please read our Eco Group page on the church website here: www.mayfieldsalisbury.org/eco

CORNERSTONE BOOKSHOP    If you are looking for a book to help you on your inward journey, expand your knowledge of Christian history, doctrine or the Bible, then please support our local bookshop Cornerstone Books.

The physical store is closed during Level 4 restrictions, but purchases can be made at  www.bookshop.org - nominating Cornerstone for all your book buying needs.  More information at: www.cornerstonebooks.org.uk  

Recommended Daily Meditations:  Fr Richard Rohr at www.cac.org      Also, see www.pray-as-you-go.org

Books for the Journey

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Forthcoming Deadlines

Order of service for next week: Thursday at 6.00pm.

Next Grapevine: Friday 23 April at 6.00pm.

Please send submissions to the Church Manager, William Mearns.

Phone: 0780 801 1234 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Copyright Notices

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS     

Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church holds a CCLI Streaming License: #88916

Images – Some courtesy of Pixabay

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Scottish Charity Number SC000785