/ Petersfield Area Churches Together

March 2016 Newsletter

Hello, may you be aware of God’s presence and guidance. Blessings, Susanne

Message from Simon and Helen Mason, Co-Convenors of PACT

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden in light'. These words of Jesus in Matthew's gospel (chapter 11) are always so refreshing. May you find complete rest and restoration in Jesus and may you be led by Him in all that you do. May you be blessed mightily in the coming month and know His love for you. Simon and Helen Mason, Co-Convenors of PACT

Real Easter Egg Campaign

The real Easter Egg has an Easter story booklet in the box, is made of Fairtrade chocolate and makes a donation of at least 10 pence from the purchase of each 150g egg to charity Traidcraft Exchange. To date, the company has sold more than 1 mio eggs and donated nearly £200,000 to charity. If you want to buy in bulk, please visit – free delivery for orders of £45 and over if you order by 1st March. Also check Tesco and Waitrose for stocks. However, supermarket stocks are likely to be limited.

Carers’ hub – every first Tuesday of the month

Tuesday, 1st March from 10am-4pm (Petersfield Methodist Church): Come along andcreate an emergency plan, access carer support and information, access other organisations and professionals, and meet other carers in the area. The cared for are also warmly welcomed. Venue kindly funded by Bluebird Care Petersfield. Parking is limited on site; alternative parking available atSwan Street Car Park GU32 3AGand Waitrose Car Park GU32 3JA For further information, please call 01264 835246/835205 or email:

PACT prayer for Petersfield on 1st Thursday of every month

Thursday, 3rd March, 2pm-3.30pm (28 Moggs Mead): Contact

International Women’s Day of Prayer – Cuba calling!

Friday, 4th March 2016 at 1.30pm (St Peter’s Church): Each year, Christian women from a particular country prepare a service (open to all) reflecting their daily lives and needs while drawing people together to praise and pray. The service takes place around the globe -translated as needed - on the first Friday in March.

Paul Skelton – Encounter the love of God

Friday, 11th March 2016 from 9:30am to 4:00pm (Methodist Church Hall): Life Church Petersfield is hosting a visit by Paul Skelton, who established HOTS (Healing on the streets) in Bath. Paul has two main passions in his ministry: firstly, to see the kingdom of God released around him and secondly, to train and equip others to do the same. He carries the message of the Father heart of God and the emphasis of this visit is to give opportunity for each of us to experience the love of God. This is truly a unique opportunity to hear Paul and the prophetic message he has for the church in Petersfield. You are warmly invited to join us. If you can’t manage the whole day, then book in for half a day. For more information or to register please call Dave Hall on 01730 301 413 or e-mail

Cafe Church

Sunday, 13th March from 5-7pm (Costa Cafe)

Lent Course: An introduction to Ignatian Spirituality workshops

Thursday evenings from February 18 - March 24, 7.30-9.30pm (Petersfield Methodist Church): Please contact Barbara Mace (07798 764899 or to find out more or book a place.

Petersfield Salvation Army 24/5 Prayer – 120 hours of non-stop prayer

Commencing Satuday, 19th March with worship and finishing at 6pm on Thurs 24th March.

Advance notice: Coach holiday to the Derbyshire Peaks & Dales from 17th-25th July 2016

Standard ensuite at Willersley Castle Hotel: £599 – prices are per person and include 8 nights half-board accommodation, return travel to the hotel in Cromford, Derbyshire, and six days of excursions. The price does not include entry fees or gratuities. For more info, contact Gordon Churchill on 01730 260 454, but all bookings must be made directly with the hotel on 01629 582 270 – please state your preferred pickup point.

Rural Refugee Network (resettling refugees into the UK’s rural communities) – message from Patsy Robinson

It was very encouraging to be present at the recent meeting of local people motivated and enthused to be thoughtfully preparing the way for a few refugee families to settle in our own area. Our group is now divided into Resettlement, Fundraising, Education, Marketing and Management.If you have skills of any sort to offer, from practical things like language (e.g. Arabic) or DIY to simple befriending, or any questions, please do contact the team: or phone Kaaren on 07985623009 or Julia on 01730 601186. There is a Facebook group “Rural Refugee Network” where you can stay updated on the latest news. And of course, please be praying about this too. “Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” They are trying to create a store & inventory of items, in particular bedding (duvets, sheets, pillows, covers, blankets etc) & clothing (coats, jumpers, footwear, etc). So any good quality items will be gratefully received. If you have items you wish to drop off please feel free to drop them at Bordean Manor, Langrish, GU32 1EP. Next time for drop off: Wednesday 2nd March 7pm-9pm (carrying help available). For larger items we may be able to make one or two collections so please do contact us if you need help.

Reclaim and repurpose – message from Patsy Robinson

Some time ago Susanne printed the above phrase in the newsletter and I have had it posted above my computer screen ever since. It reminds me that we are to be salt and light, reclaiming and repurposing for the kingdom, and spreading God’s love.

In the same way that it is important for us to maintain our own personal hygiene, keep our accommodation clean and the garden fairly free from weeds, it is also our Christian responsibility to maintain the ‘spiritual housework’ of our lives and the area around us. I think that Prayer Impact can be seen as one facet of this housework.

Our own personal prayer and our communal worship at church are of course extremely important. But also, for some reason, there’s a different kind of strength in Christians of different denominations meeting together in unity to pray. And I don’t think our enemy likes it, which is possibly why it can be such hard work to persevere.

Just from a practical point of view, finding a date when we can all get together is complicated as there are so many other calls on our time.

However, simply meeting for half an hour once a month, or even once a quarter, can be enough. The prayers can be spoken, silent, or written down and read out. There can be just two of us or a large group. All that matters is that we do it.

And what is it for? Simply this - it’s for Christians from different denominations who live near each other to meet and pray for their own neighbourhood.

If you want to find out more, to see if there’s already a group near you, or if you’ve found somebody you can start a group with, please contact: John Studd on 01730 264857 or

Spiritual food for thought

“God is not just in the garden anymore - He shows up even in the most painful and difficult places.” (John Ortberg)