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Welcome to Pews News 11th April

Easter Two, 11th April
9:30am Communion

Wednesday 14th April 10am BCP Communion

Services will also be streamed

www.stmarygoldington.com

HRH the Duke of Edinburgh

It is with great sadness that we will have heard of the death of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh on Friday. I am sure you will want to give thanks for his life and pray for the Royal Family at this time. We will hold them in prayer during our Sunday Worship and I invite you to use the prayer that follows for yourselves.
The bells of St. Mary's will toll on Saturday Lunchtime in his honour.

God of our lives
we thank you for the life of Prince Philip
for his love of our country
and his devotion to duty.
We entrust him now to your love and mercy
through our redeemer Jesus Christ
Amen.

Our Bishop also sends his prayers and condolences at this time.

Bishop of St. Albans Friday 9 April 2021

It is with great sadness that I received the news this morning that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has died. Please join me in prayer for His Royal Highness and for Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family in their grief, and in thanksgiving for His Royal Highness’s
long and fruitful life of service.

His Royal Highness led life as a Naval Officer, as Consort to Her Majesty
The Queen and as a father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

In service of the monarchy, he accompanied and supported Her Majesty
The Queen both in this country and around the world, including many visits
to the Diocese of St Albans. We are grateful to have welcomed him here.

Throughout his life, His Royal Highness was deeply involved with a large number of charities and is particularly well known for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which has influenced the lives of many young people. He was also an accomplished amateur artist, polo player, yachtsman and, later in life, he excelled at carriage driving.

He was a unique individual in our national life and a memorable character.

His Christian faith sustained him throughout his life, and we pray for him in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

May he rest in peace.

+Alan St Albans

Knit and Natter

Opens again to anybody who wants a chat and has a craft, sewing, embroidery or knitting hobby or even wants to learn and enjoys a cuppa
St Mary's Church Hall
Friday 21^st May 1-30pm - 3-30pm
Suitable Covid precautions will be in place.
Bring your own mask and materials.
Disabled Parking and access available.
No need to book. Just come along.

St Mary's Cuppa and Chat

Wednesday: 14th April, 11am

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6299226586?pwd=NFlZUWFtQzlZTU9ITGpjSU5CWFdNZz09
Meeting ID: 629 922 6586
Passcode: vQbQ1M

St. Mary's Church Hall

As we can start meeting again and groups think about restarting don't forget to mention that we have a great church hall that is available for hire.
Please share this information with groups you know. Booking details through Geoff Sowerby 403411

Parish Giving Scheme PGS

The Parish Giving Scheme is about to take off at St. Mary’s
A light-hearted introduction to the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) appeared in the November Parish & People magazine but now the serious work begins following the PCC’s decision to join the Scheme. Correspondence concerning the Scheme is shortly to be distributed to each member of the Church community. It may not suit your circumstances but please read it anyway.

This project is being handled by Michael Barker and Richard Kirby on behalf of your PCC and any questions or reservations you may have should be directed to them. Their contact details are at the end of this article.
This change in the way we give has benefits for St. Mary’s, the individual and those administering the current stewardship scheme. The record keeping, cash handling and gift aid tax claims all take time and will be much reduced by the PGS, which makes no charge for its services. Those deciding not to take part in the Scheme will be able to continue to give to the Church in the same way that they do now.

PGS has been operating from offices in Gloucester for some years and became a not-for-profit charity in 2014. In order for the organisation to work efficiently it requires individual donations to be made by direct debit on the first day of the month. Why direct debit on one day? The reason for this is that the donation will be claimed from your bank straight from their computer system rather than having a team of people recording standing order payments arriving at various times during the month. Many of us already use direct debit to pay council tax and utility bills and it is the only payment system guaranteed to return your money without question if an error has been made.

The donations for St. Mary’s will be paid over to the PCC in one amount around the 10^th of each month with the appropriate gift aid tax following later. PGS provides a record of individual donations and tax claims but if you want your giving to remain anonymous then it will be reported as such. This is something that cannot be done under the present system for handling tax claims at St. Mary’s.

Church members joining the Scheme, and we hope that many will, will be asked to complete a Gift Form with their bank details and donation amount. This goes directly to the PGS office in Gloucester for which a prepaid envelope will be provided. The form contains the option to automatically increase your donation annually by the rate of inflation. If this is chosen then the PGS team will send out a notification letter prior to it coming into effect. A donation can be changed or cancelled at any time by a simple telephone call to PGS. This keeps the church member in control of their giving.

Those currently using standing orders for their giving, which is a majority of the members of the Stewardship Scheme, will need to cancel these with their bank at the appropriate time. This is easily done by members using telephone or on-line banking but will require a letter or personal visit by others.

PGS require a clear month to process the Gift Forms. In order to give donors time to consider the Scheme, complete the form and cancel standing orders a start date of the first of June has been selected. This means that Gift Forms need to be sent to their office at Gloucester by the end of April, with the existing donation arrangements remaining in force throughout the month of May.

If you have any questions please contact either Richard on 266425 or Michael on 306139. Their e-mail addresses are:-
richard.g.kirby@talktalk.net mjbarker2310@gmail.com

CENSUS 2021

Dear Community members

Census Day was two weeks ago, but I'm writing to ask you to keep your eyes and ears open for anyone in your community who still has not completed a census questionnaire.

It's not too late to avoid a £1,000 penalty for non compliance with this important legal obligation. I am here to help anyone who is still struggling to access a questionnaire, or who is confused about whether they should participate, or who still thinks the census is optional.

I am also available to answer any questions from people who - for whatever reason - may have decided to refuse to take part. I will be happy to help you directly if you know of someone who hasn't yet participated - just call or email me!

The census benefits every single person in our society and is completely anonymous so it threatens no one at all. There is no valid reason to opt out.

The message for your community remains the same:

1. If you have yet to complete the census, there is still time to do so.

2. If you were resident in England or Wales on 21st March 2021, it is your legal duty to complete a questionnaire for yourself and for the members of your household.

3. If you have received a 16-digit Unique Access Code in the post, go to www.census.gov.uk and follow the easy instructions. Completion will take about 10 minutes per person in each household.

4. If you did not receive a Unique Access Code or if you lost it, you can apply for a new one at www.census.gov.uk OR you can call our helpline to order a new code. The helpline number is 0800 141 2021 in England and there is help in 49 world languages for non English speakers on 0800 587 2021.

5. If you cannot use a computer or smart device to participate, you can order a paper questionnaire by calling 0800 141 2021.

6. If you need someone to help you to answer the questions, you can contact your local Census Support Centre to make an appointment for someone to go through the questionnaire with you. There are three Census Support Centres in Bedfordshire. If you live in the Bedford area, call 01234 944 480. If you are in Dunstable or Central Beds, call 01582 410 069, and if you live in Luton, call 01582 410 069.

Clifford Wood | Census Engagement Manager, Bedford and Central Beds | Office for National Statistics | 07452 942 286 | clifford.wood06@field.census.gov.uk | www.census.gov.uk
Keep in touch:
· Register for email updates about Census 2021 and/or other areas of ONS
· Access census information for community partners and local authorities
· Follow @Census2021 on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

Dwell Well Bedford

Helping people get back into accommodation

Thanks for all your help so far. What we need now are pots and pans but remember the packs are for one or two people, so we don't need the biggest pan you can find.
For more information please contact Marcus Ottaviani.

Keep up the good work.

Donate to St. Mary's Church, Goldington

Help support the work and outreach of your church

Prayers and Help

If you have a prayer request or need help please let one of us know.
Our phone numbers are:
Revd Simon: 01234 351920, the.revd.simon@gmail.com
Revd Jennie: 01234 266952, jennie.cappleman @yahoo.co.uk
Revd Marcus: 07498 843908 thecurate.stmarys@gmail.com

St. Mary's Web Page

St Marys Goldington FACEBOOK

Parish and People