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Welcome to Christ Church, Blacklands & St. Andrew, Laton Road, Hastings
The deadline for the August edition is Noon WEDNESDAY July 25th
If you have articles or items of interest for the newsletter, please ring Debbie Dann on 717004 or email on debbie@dann-home.me.uk
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Weekly Offering Envelopes
The new series of the weekly offering envelope system started on 3rd June. The colour has changed from startling yellow to a mellow green. Any person who hasn’t collected their new set will find them on the table at the back of the church. If anyone who wants to start using the weekly offering envelope system, please see Jean as there are plenty to spare. If you pay tax and use the envelopes please complete a Gift Aid form found at the back of the church.
Phone Mast
This is an update on the proposed phone mast. Planning permission has still not been granted. An ecological survey has been carried out following the concerns expressed over the wild life which use the belfry. The full ecological report is on the HBC website including reply from the Environment and Natural Resources Manager of HBC. Reference no. HS/FA/12/00202. http://www.hastings.gov.uk/environment_planning/planning/view_planning_apps/case_detail/?id=99288 A notice about the proposed phone mast has been placed inside and outside the church in accordance with the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) instructions. This notice will be displayed for 28 days from June 3rd.
Proposed Merger with Holy Trinity Church
A joint PCC meeting with Holy Trinity Church and the Revd. Chris Key (Rural Dean) was held on 16th May 2012. It was explained by Chris Key that because the new Bishop was examining church finances closely he had decided that there was no money available to support a merger such as we had hoped unless a good business plan could be put forward by both churches. Following this meeting both PCCs of Holy Trinity and Blacklands Church have decided not to go through with the merger.
Jubilee Celebrations
On June 3rd we had a Jubilee tea in the church. David our organist played some stirring English music including the Dambusters March and then led us in some patriotic singing. This was followed by a delicious tea provided by church folk. Thanks go to David for leading us so well and to Linda and Bill for being the driving force behind the celebration. We raised a total of £104 for church funds. There are pictures in the Gallery here.
UK Foodbank
13 million people live below the poverty line in the UK. Everyday people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. The Tressel Trust provides a minimum of three days emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis in the UK. Last year the Trust fed over 60,000 people experiencing food poverty. The Trust works with churches and communities in opening new food banks nationwide and Kings Church on the Ridge is running the Hastings and St Leonards food bank. Kings Church needs donations of food – it is so easy just to add one tin of beans or one packet of biscuits to your weekly shop. Blacklands PCC voted to support this work so there will be a box at the back of this church for food donations with suggested ‘shopping lists’ of essential food. Donated food will be taken weekly to Kings Church.
Church Cleaners Needed
We are very short of people to clean the church on a regular basis. At the moment a very few people work hard to clean the silver, polish the brass and generally keep this large church clean. If anyone feels able to spare a few hours once a week or fortnight to help clean the church please see a member of the PCC.
General News and Notices