Good Friday:  Come along to church, between 10.00am and noon, for a takeaway hot cross bun and hot drink.  As the restrictions on meeting in groups will still apply, we must ask everyone to respect the need to follow social distancing rules and avoid gathering.    
 
The Church Army:  A mission focused community who are committed to enabling and resourcing the church and its members to share the gospel.  They deliver a mission of evangelism through their centres of mission, evangelists, training and outreach programmes and partnerships.  They work in some of the most deprived communities in the UK and Ireland and work with children, teenagers, the elderly, the homeless, the lonely, those experiencing self-harm, those at risk of gang or knife crime, the unemployed and those struggling to make ends meet.  Their vision is for everyone, everywhere to encounter God’s love and be empowered to transform their communities through faith shared in words and action.  
 
TLM:  We hope you enjoyed last Sunday’s service and that you found the story inspirational.  Just a reminder that if you give to The Leprosy Mission before 24th April, the Government will match your donation.  If you do make a donation, please tick the box to say that you have “seen” a talk by The Leprosy Mission.  You can then link the donation to us here at St Mary’s.    
 
100 Homes Campaign Resources:  100 Homes is a united church campaign to recruit 100 new foster homes from the church in Nottingham, which Bishop Paul and churches around the diocese support. The campaign has produced a new 5 minute video sharing the story of Rob and Jo, a couple who recently responded to the campaign and became foster carers - churches are encouraged to share this video in their online services. Click here to view and download the video. Also, Fostering Sunday is coming up on 9th May, with more resources to be released soon. 
 
News from Southwell:  The Diocese website often contains interesting items and plenty of links to online services and news. E.g. if you click on the “Regular online services” picture and look for St Peter’s Nottingham you can find their Saturday concerts being broadcast on Youtube. www.southwell.anglican.org   
 
Nifty Notes Easter Special available now:  This week the latest edition of the Diocese’s Nifty Notes was published entitled 'The Resurrection of Hope', with a special focus on Holy Week and Easter. The edition includes a piece written by Bishop Andy Emerton reminding us of the true hope which Easter brings. Click here to read. 
 
Service for the Renewal of Commitment:  Next Wednesday 31st March at 7.30pm, on what would have been the night of the diocese’s Chrism Eucharist, when holy oils are blessed and clergy renew their ministerial vows, Bishop Paul and Bishop Andy lead a service in which all Christians are invited to reflect on and re-affirm their call to follow Jesus.  Bishop Paul will bring a special Holy Week message and different voices from across the diocese will also reflect with Bishop Andy on the challenges and opportunities of living in light of the gospel, as we seek to emerge from the current pandemic.  The Service will be led from the Minster and the link will go live here just before 7.30pm on 31st March. 
 
Spring Harvest Home 2021 – 4th-8th April, online  This year's Spring Harvest conference is taking place online as they delve into the theme  'Unrivalled: Why we worship' for all ages; through music, teaching and workshops to name a few.  View the full programme  and find out more here.  There will also be lots of Children & Youth content available to watch on demand, perfect for the Easter holidays.  We have been provided with a special discount code offering 10% off the £55 ticket price.  Use the following code when buying your ticket here: SH21CCL. 
 
Southwell Minster Photo Competition:  During the lockdowns of 2020-2021, many of us spent more time in the outdoors, walking in local parks, along country footpaths, or sitting in our gardens.  We had time to discover new, wild places on our doorsteps, we puzzled at plants and insects we did not recognise, and we watched quietly when we encountered birds or wild animals.  Some of these sights were so special, we captured them on our phones and cameras, creating lasting memories of nature’s extraordinary secrets.  Inspired by their Leaves of Southwell project, Southwell Minster invite you to enter their photography competition and share your own special lockdown discoveries.  Click here to find out more.