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Ash Wednesday - what's it all about?

Wednesday 18 February is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, when we begin the time of preparation for Easter.  On Ash Wednesday we will celebrate Holy Communion at 7.30 pm, with the ancient ceremony of 'ashing'.  Each worshipper is marked on the forehead with a cross drawn in ash, which is made from the palm crosses blessed at the previous year's Palm Sunday service.  The 'ashing' is accompanied by the words 'Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.'  The intention is to remind the worshipper to repent of their sins before it is too late.

Nowadays Lent has become a largely misunderstood time, when people give up something (usually chocolate or alcohol) as a reminder of the traditional Lenten fast and a means of self discipline.  This has about as much to do with Lent as novelty Easter eggs have to do with the resurrection!  Instead of (or as well as!) giving up the booze for a few weeks, why not try making a positive difference in your life?  To use the other form of words for 'ashing', 'Repent and believe in the Gospel.'

Valentine's Night Quiz

What better way to spend St Valentine's Day than arguing with your nearest and dearest over the right answer?!

Christmas services round up

Our Carol Service on December 14th and the Christmas Eve Crib Service were both well attended by all ages.  The Carol Service was led by Rev. Jonnie Parkin who had worked with Nocton Community Primary School. The children read and sang beautifully and everyone appreciated their hard work and commitment.  Jonnie's theme was taken from our first carol " Oh come oh come Emmanuel."
Our Crib Service was led by Rev. Les Whitfield and again the children took the main roles, bringing the Nativity figures to the crib to be blessed. We all enjoyed singing some of our favourite carols and listening to the Christmas readings. 
After the service we enjoyed some festive mince pies and a drink.

Rev. Whitfield also officiated at our Midnight Mass as we welcomed Christmas Day, and later on Christmas Day a service was held for the residents of the Cottage Residential Care Home.



In all the hurly burly of Christmas preparation, the services provided a welcome calm few moments to think and pray.  It was good to see so many at the different services.

The real meaning of Christmas

Perhaps during Christmas, more than any other time, we fail to hear God's voice.  Distractions abound, and at a time when our focus should be on our blessings and our Saviour, we're tuned in to other things that seem more pressing.  But on Christmas Day, make the choice to open your heart, mind, and spirit and listen for God's voice.

A very happy, peaceful and blessed Christmas to you all. 

Crib service Christmas Eve

December Doodle

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Let's not lose the Doodle - can anyone help take it over?

Carol singing

Thanks to all who came carol singing last week and thanks to all who responded so magnificently!  We received a warm welcome around Manor Court, Main Street, Potterhanworth Road and Parklands Avenue, with several people coming out to listen.  No one threw boots or bricks at us!  The evening started with a session to warm us up at The Cottage Residential Care Home, where the residents joined in with some well known carols.  We finished at the Village Hall and were met with welcome mince pies and delicious mulled wine.  We raised £80.87 which will be divided between the church and a homelessness charity.  Next year we will visit a different section of the village so as to spare the same people having to listen to us every year...

Carol service

Latest Nocton Doodle

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Make space for Advent

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Church open

Have you ever wanted to visit our lovely church but not found it open? The church will be open on Friday afternoons between 2 and 4 pm until the end of October. Please drop in and see us!

Harvest Thanksgiving

This year our Harvest Thanksgiving Service will be on 21 September at 4 pm. This will be followed by the ever-popular Harvest Supper – please contact Ann Kennedy 01526 322739 for tickets.

Wildflower study area

From Jane Kania

The study of wildflowers within the sector in the churchyard has been completed for this year.  It created interest with passers-by and the judges in both rounds of the Best Kept Village competition.  So what have been the findings?

Some of the flowers were easily recognised; Dandelions, Daisies, Primroses and later in the year Cow Parsley.  Those perhaps not so well known though still relatively common were Cuckoo Flower, Herb Robert, Purple Dead Nettle, Ground Ivy and Bugle.  These were present in other areas within the graveyard but a number of species were found only in this area.  This was because they were able to grow and flower due to the area not being mowed as usual.  These included Common Persicaria, Creeping Buttercup and Lady's Smock.  Hopefully these will have been able to seed and spread further within the graveyard.

The study will be continued next year using another area within the graveyard.  Meanwhile there has been the offer of some wildflower seed which could be sown in areas within the graveyard where at present little appears to grow.