21 Dec 08:  The Christmas services have reached the half way point today and some thanks are due.  Firstly to everyone who's provided and served the much-enjoyed mince pies.  Then to the choir and all of the musicians who've helped us celebrate with carols - and to the helpers with the nativity.  Also thanks to everyone who contributed to the £499 collection for TearFund at Christingle and the £102 raised by The Zone for the creche at the Friary Drop-In.  Finally, a joyful Christmas to you all.

7 Dec 08:  It may seem a bit early to be thinking ahead to 2009, but we're starting a new Alpha Course on 22 January.  This is an opportunity to explore the big questions of life.  Come along yourself or, better still, invite someone to come with you.  Contact the church office or talk directly to Megan Smith if you're interested.  Fast approaching are the Christmas services and the usual call for mince pies - if you can help then just bring them along to the Silverdale Nativity, Carol service or Crib service.

Please pray for Phil and his family and also for his current church, who heard the news of his departure from them today.  Finally, note that we've now published the dates for this year's Christmas services.

16 Nov 08:  Thank you to everyone who supported last weekend's Fairtrade Sale.  A very generous £2,250 was taken, making a big difference to the lives of people in some of the world's poorest communities.  It's time to mention Christmas and Jill Edmonds has published the dates for choir practices taking place in preparation for the Christmas services.  Do talk to Jill if you're interested in joining up.  Watch out for an announcement in the next couple of weeks about our new vicar.  Interviews have taken place and a recommendation has now been sent to Bishop George for his approval.

2 Nov 08:  Some important things are happening over the next week.  The short-listing of applicants for our new vicar takes place on Wednesday.  Then on Saturday it's the sale day for Fair Trade goods in the church hall, including the popular fashion show at 2 o'clock.  If you can help on the day or by setting up then contact Lindsey Barnes or Eddie Mason - or just help the makers by turning up and buying some of their great products.  Finally, it's our traditional Remembrance Parade Service on Sunday, with our local uniformed organisations and the silence held at 11 o'clock.

19 Oct 08:  It's the start of a new run of Zone Together today.  The older youth (50 of them) were away last weekend at The Briars in Crich.  Judging by their comments, they had a great time.  They fitted in worship, learning about Joshua, group times, circus skills, prayer, a banquet (see the photo),

 listening to each other and to God - and a lot of karoke.  By the way, South Wilford School raised £646 for Tearfund at their Harvest service in church and we added another £157 to the total at the Sunday all-age service.

21 Sept 08:  A hectic weekend of mixed emotions for the Wilford Church family.  Although we are very sad to see David and Pixie leave (see David's last message), the Saturday night event to celebrate their time with us was great fun and enjoyed by everyone there.  There was a packed church in the morning for the Holiday Club re-union, which precedes the launch of our Zone for children next Sunday.  Finally Bishop Tony confirmed twenty-seven people at another packed service in the evening.

1 Sept 08:  The schools are about to start back and planning is well in hand for the usual busy autumn of church activities.  Remember to keep checking with the events diary so you don't miss anything.  An extra activity this year is finding David's successor - see New Vicar in the left hand menu, where a timetable for the process has just been added.

17 Aug 08:  It's the holidays and most of our groups are taking a break, so this may be a good time to catch up on your bible readings.  If you don't have one of our readings booklets or bookmarks then pick one up at the Sunday morning service.  This week includes the important 'sermon on the mount' (Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7) where you can read about being salt and light.

13 Jul 08:  Excitement is mounting as there's only ONE WEEK to go before this year's Holiday Club gets underway.  The set is being painted, badges are being made, the band has rehearsed and the paddock has been prepared for the marquees to go up - and there's still time to register if you haven't yet done so.  Plus in answer to the many questions we've received about how and when David's successor will be found, we've launched some web pages to keep you informed of progress - see New Vicar in the left hand menu.

20 Jun 08:  David announced today that on 1 October he will be taking up the post of Warden of the Lee Abbey Community in Devon.  He and Pixie will therefore be leaving Wilford in September and David's last day as Rector will be Friday 12 September.  Read David's message in full for all of the details of the move.

13 Jun 08:  The Zone have been giving their collections towards new hospital beds for the Embangweni Hospital in Malawi.  The target was £200 and at today's Zone Together they reached it.  The money was accepted on behalf of the hospital by Liv and Pete Cull who have both worked there as volunteer doctors.

12 Jun 08:  The Mission Group met this week and decided to continue our support for Alison Fletcher, a physiotherapist at the christian Kiwoko (pronounced Chi-woe-co) Hospital in Uganda.  Watch this video and this record of a visit from another supporter to gain an insight into hospital life.  Sue in the office can put you on the mailing list for Alison's regular newsletter.  The hospital motto is "We treat, Jesus heals".

1 Jun 08:  We're moving ever nearer to this summer's Wilford Church Holiday Club and from today registration for children is officially OPEN.  You can get registration forms either from church on Sunday, or from Sue in the church office every weekday morning.  Don't miss the great opportunity for your children to come "On Safari" with us, starting on Monday 21 July.

11 May 08:  In great early summer weather, the Pentecost Sunday service included the outdoor baptism of one of our youth.  Not in the River Trent but in a pool on the paddock - the water was just as cold though!  Many church family members also returned their new giving pledges as it was our Finance Gift Day for 2008.  'Pledge' forms are still available from church.  Please return them as soon as possible if you missed the Finance Gift Day.

27 Apr 08:  We launched our Finance Gift Day for 2008. Over the next two weeks we're asking church family members to review prayerfully your financial support for God's work through Wilford Church.  'Pledge' forms are available from the back of church and we ask that you return them on the Finance Gift Day, which is Pentecost Sunday (11 May).

13 Apr 08:  On Sunday we celebrated another year in the life of the church at our Annual Review and Shared Lunch.  We also elected a new warden and new members of our church council.  See David's latest message for details.

6 Apr 08:  Easter is over and it's a time for looking both back and forward!  Next week is a busy one with the Church Family Photo Shoot and also the Annual Review on Sunday.  This is a great opportunity to celebrate together all that happened over the last year.  But next week is also the start of preparations for this summer's Holiday Club.  See the Events Diary for more information.

9 Mar 08:  This has been a busy and productive weekend.  The cleaning party worked all of Saturday to return the church to normal and so we were able to move back in today, a week ahead of plan.  At the same time many of you were at the Fairtrade Spring Sale, where your purchases are helping to deliver real benefits to producers in developing countries.  Thanks to all of you for your help.

2 Mar 08:  Can you help?  As part of Fairtrade Fortnight (25/2 to 9/3) we are holding a Spring Sale and Fashion Show on Saturday 8 March.  Contact Pixie Rowe if you can help on the day or with setting up on Friday evening.  We also need people on Saturdays 8 & 15 March to clean up the church after the recent water damage.  Bring a brush or vacuum cleaner or just yourself at 10 o'clock and help us get back into church for Easter.

24 Feb 08:  At last, some non-roof news.  David announced today that our new Pioneer Curate, to be shared between ourselves and Emmanuel School, is itself going to be a job share between Diane and Jono Tregale.  Diane is currently on placement with us from St John's College.  Congratulations to them both and we look forward to welcoming them when they join us in July.

17 Feb 08:  More roof-related news.  We had two more thefts of lead recently, but have now been able to get work started on the new (non-lead) covering.  The dry weather has helped prevent any further damage inside church.  Finally, thank you to everyone for squashing in to the church hall for services at the moment and for participating so fully - it's a useful reminder that a church is more about its people than its buildings.  See the story on the BBC website.

28 Jan 08:  The wet and windy weather has meant that a lot of water has poured into the church through the patched roof.  There's been some water damage to carpets and to some of the stonework.  A date has been fixed for a new roof but, for a few weeks, some services may need to be held in the church hall or office.  Please pray for a spell of dry weather!

10 Jan 08:  We've heard of the Embangweni Hospital in Malawi because Pete and Liv Cull spent some time working there last year.  Last Saturday Notts County FC presented the hospital's football team with new strip.  Megan Smith, who has also been to the hospital, was at the match to receive it.  Finally, if you still have a bit of money after Christmas, you might be tempted to part with some of it at the Fairtrade January Clearance Sale on Saturday 12 January.