Show the Love or Green Heart Day!
Some of us will be making small heart-shaped brooches on Friday 9th Feb, to give out on Sunday 11th - a reminder of what we love in the natural world, and our commitment to protect and restore biodiversity. Please join us at 10am (location TBC) on Friday to help stitch, cut or stick badges! Message Sue Charlton on 07908840954 for details. And please wear your green heart badge from previous years on Sunday if you already have one.
 
No Faith in Fossil Fuels - Vigil and Service
On Ash Wednesday, 14th February, some of us are attending a service at St. John's Church, Waterloo for the launch of a vigil to be held in Parliament Square. This is being organised by Tearfund, Christian Aid, A Rocha and others. Registration is essential. We plan to travel together on the morning, and back home in plenty of time for the evening Ashing Service at St. Stephen's. Contact Sue by 10th February if you'd like to join us.
 
Worship Evening
We will be having an informal Worship Evening on Sunday 25th February at 4pm. This is an opportunity for us to come together for a time of extended worship.
 
Lent Appeals 2024
The Church Council (PCC) has agreed that for Lent we are sending 78 Real Easter Eggs (Fairtrade with the Easter Story in the box) to residents of The Marylebone Project - one of our Mission Partners. Staff at the Marylebone are very happy and have written to say how much this will be appreciated by the ladies. Please support us by donating £4 for an egg.

The PCC has also agreed to raise money for the Amos Trust Gaza Appeal. The population in Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian disaster. Nowhere is safe. Amos, another of our Mission Partners has built up close relations with partners in Gaza and the West Bank for over 30 years. Our donations will go to provide food and water at the Al Ahli Anglican Hospital and enable the Gaza Sunbirds Paralympic Cyclists to provide essential food packs to their communities. Support will also go to partners (The Holy Land Trust) in the West Bank. See more at www.amostrust.org.uk. We can despair and feel helpless, or we can act now and donate!
 
Church Council
The Church Council met on Monday 29th January.  With a full agenda the main business covered was:

• to hear how the Diocese will handle the recruitment of a new Vicar.
• to agree an updated Mission Action Plan which is now on our website here.
• to note that the 2023 accounts are in the process of being prepared and are likely to show a modest surplus.
• to elect Jane Maffett as Treasurer to succeed Sanjay Joshi who will be stepping down in the spring.
• to note the report of the mission team and the important work undertaken to raise the profile of home and overseas mission.
• to note the repairs currently being undertaken to the church roof and progress on replacing the diseased oak tree that had to be removed.

Vicarage
As you will be aware Steve and Caroline Newbold will be moving from the Vicarage in mid-March.  The Diocese (who own the property) will then be using it to house a curate called Sarah who works in another Parish in Brent.  Sarah is currently living in a rented house, but the owners have decided to sell so the Diocese need to rehouse her and her two teenage children for a few months until her curacy ends and she has a new job.  Sarah will not in any way relate to St Stephens but don’t be surprised is you see her and her family in the Vicarage.
 
Licensing
Steve Newbold will be licensed as Rector of his new Benefice at 7pm on Wednesday 10th April in All Saints Church, Upper Bucklebury, RG7 6QS.  He and Caroline would love people from St Stephen’s to join them at the service so please do put the date in your diary.

Save the Date
2nd March - JAM Children's Party
 
Parish Prayer
These are the streets in our parish we are praying for this fortnight – please do pray for all who live there and for people to come to know Jesus:
St. Leonard’s Road
Denbigh Road
Amherst Avenue
Amherst Road
 
Prayer for the Week
Holy God,
you know the disorder of our sinful lives:
set straight our crooked hearts,
and bend our wills to love your goodness
and your glory
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.