Neighbourhood News Magazine

A t our Sunday morning service on 26 th May, we celebrated our Church’s first World Children’s Day. Pope Francis has called for the children from around the globe, including those from areas of conflict and children of different faiths or no faith, to join together as sisters and brothers. The children in our centre enjoyed various activities celebrating our different cultures and looking at ways of achieving a more fraternal society that cares for our common home. They came up with some very powerful ‘little things’, like being kinder, saying ‘hello’ to others, asking permission, seeking pardon and saying ‘thank you’! We all agreed that the world could be changed for the better if we all began with these little things! We continue to provide a children’s service most Sundays. Run by parent volunteers and using the Gospel as a reference point, the children are encouraged to think about the message the bible story is trying to convey and to discuss how they can put the teaching into practice. This is done through varied activities such as action songs, artwork, mime, practicals – for example planting seeds to help learning about new life, using Lego to build their idea of heaven, and riding the happiness train! You are welcome to join us any Sunday morning. www.albanstephen.org 37 www.sandridge-pc.gov.uk Summer 2024 S pring has sprung and Summer has arrived at last in St. Mary’s green spaces. Just across the road from the Quadrant on Sherwood Avenue, St. Mary’s Church has some lovely green spaces that we keep and maintain for the use of the whole community. Have you found our enclosed garden, Peppercorn Place yet? It is cool in the heat, perfect for little ones to explore, and a quiet oasis away from the bustle of Quadrant life. We also have a large garden area for use by our groups that meet in the church and seating around the church for anyone passing. We know we can be a bit hidden though and we’d love to be more visible, more accessible, and to widen the use of our spaces. We have plans to improve our outdoor spaces and entrances and we’d love to know what you think. Have a look on our website, or drop into church to see the plans, and then get in touch with questions, concerns, or brilliant ideas. Help us step into our vision; ‘St Mary’s is growing a welcoming and inclusive church for the whole community and the whole of life’. www.marshalswick.org.uk Tel: 01727 851544