Weekly Notices - 26th April 2026
We are fortunate enough to live in a country where sheep and agricultural farming is common, and we can somewhat relate to Jesus’ declaration that He is our Good Shepherd. A Shepherd who herds us with immeasurable love and tenderness; a profound metaphor for His care, guidance and sacrificial love for each one of us.
Jesus’ care and guidance were apparent in our AGM last Saturday: with an extremely low representative attendance of our parishioners, there was, initially, concern that a quorum wouldn’t be reached and our advertised meeting would not happen. However, that concern was replaced with a huge sigh of relief that there were just enough of us there for the meeting to continue!
I welcome our Vestry of 2026 and will be commissioning them this Sunday in the space between our two services. Let us come together to acknowledge (in no particular order) Jo Ashton-Martyn (as my Vicar’s Warden), Annie Ogilvie (Peoples Warden), Tim Marshall, Thelma Kent, Joan Halliwell, Bill Graydon, Kristine McKey and Rowena Pottinger. Our Treasurer, Russell Stedman has stepped down from Vestry but remains in his capacity as regulator of our purse strings, and Joan Halliwell now also takes on board the role of Synod Rep alongside Jo.
My deep gratitude to each of our Vestry members. May we continue to walk alongside Jesus in our decision making and our support of our on-going Regeneration Group and other ministry areas within our parish family.
To God be the Glory; great things He has done!
May our Good Shepherd always bless St Aug’s, Your Friend & Vicar, Kofe.
Your Friend & Vicar, Kofe.
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s Service (26th April)
Theme: Jesus our Good Shepherd and Our Path to Salvation.
Sentence: ‘I am the good shepherd,’ says the Lord. ‘The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’
John 10:11
Collect:
Good shepherd of the sheep,
by whom the lost are sought
and guided into the fold;
feed us and we shall be satisfied,
heal us and we shall be whole,
and lead us that we may be with you,
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
where you reign one God for ever.
Amen
Readings: Acts 2: 42 – 47 & Luke 10: 1 – 10
MONTHLY PRAYER TOPICS - APRIL
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS
Do you find yourself wistfully thinking about those years when your children and other family members went to church with you – but now they’re just not interested in anything to do with church life?
Have you recently observed your much-loved family confronting life’s challenges, and longed that they would invite God to change things for the better?
Or is it that you’re so very grateful that they are following God as they work their way through tough times, but you’d like more prayer support from your fellow parishioners to pray them through?
April is the month when we, as a parish, pray together for our families: spouses, partners, siblings, children, grandchildren…..
Next to the Prayer Table with the candles and Prayer Box is a brown board where, at any time in the month of April, you are invited to place the names of your family members whom you would like us all to pray for. You can either write their first name(s), or simply put their initials. No need for full names. No need to state their needs.
Then each member of the parish is invited to glance at these names from time to time, pray for these people as you read their names, then continue the prayer during the week right throughout the month. The Sunday Intercessors will also pray for this group of people (but without stating individual names)
We invite you to think of ways to develop this focus during the last weeks of the month of April in addition to your own prayer time e.g. through your Home Group, by getting together with one or two other people to pray especially for your families, arriving early to church to sit quietly and remember the names on the Board in prayer….
(In addition, the Prayer Box is still there for you to use. If you choose to put someone’s name in the Prayer Box, this will be sent out to the Email Prayer Team where that person will be prayed for confidentially)
Do you have best intentions on Sundays of writing names on the Board near the Prayer Table but simply forget as you chat to all your lovely friends?? Then just email their names through to Christine at cdesenna@gmail.com - and she’ll take it from there.
Why not do it right now…
Helpful info
Giving
Groups
It’s easy to connect and get involved with some great social and faith-focused groups that meet regularly across the parish. You can find out about all our regular groups on our Groups page. If you have any questions, just click the contact button to connect with the group’s organiser.
Need prayer?
We’d love to pray for you. See the ‘Prayer Support’ section on the Help & Support page for more information on how we can help with your prayer needs. There are confidential and anonymous options available.