April 2022

We are firmly in Lent, so we look at a flowerless altar, the only colour is on

the altar frontal, which for Lent is purple, and ours resembles a 70’s duvet,

did we have duvets back then? The simpleness concentrates the mind as

the Easter season approaches. We have Palm Sunday on 10th April, and we

hear the importance of the donkey and significance of our palm crosses. On

Easter Sunday we are pleased that Rev Nick Grew can return to lead our

holy communion service. This Easter Sherfield English will have several

more communicants as the previous week 15 people from Sherfield and

Wellow, and Lockerley, East & West Tytherly, and East Dean (known as the

Thorngate Benefice) will be taking the decision to be confirmed into the

Church of England faith at St Leonard’s church with the service taken by

acting Bishop of Winchester, Debbie Sellin, and Rev James Pitkin, our Area

Dean. Some are teenagers and some adults, but we are delighted to been

given the opportunity to host this rite of passage, it is decades since the

last time we held such a service, we think the 70’s. Is that why we had a

new duvet, sorry altar frontal? We even get to enjoy a joint choir from the

two benefices, I am sure Bishop Debbie will be mind blown by what we can

all achieve in a small rural parish church!

There has been much discussion by the “knit and knatterers” about a

display in the church for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations at the

beginning of June. Their woollen scenes are going to be complemented by

royal flower arrangements to totally bling out the church. I am not sure

how you can knit or crochet St Edward’s crown, I have no knitty or sewy

talents, but I have heard it is possible. Those involved always find

enthusiasm and joyfulness in their arty projects and sharing that with

enthralled family and friends is a delight for St Leonard’s to be part of in

this village. We will be hosting a quiz in the church on the Thursday

evening, a coffee morning on the Saturday and a special jubilee and

communion service on the Sunday with Rev James Pitkin leading us.

Hopefully you can drop in to admire the villagers’ talents at St Leonard’s as

well as celebrate at other village jubilee events.

Julia Noble, Churchwarden