News: Calverleigh May Round Up 2026: News: Calverleigh May Round Up 2026

News: Calverleigh May Round Up 2026

Date Added: 01/05/2026 @ 3:42pm

We have seen the clocks spring forward, the weather improving at long last and have celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ since the last magazine news. The gardens are really springing into new life, there is the increased dawn chorus and trees are really making a show with buds opening and showing off their new growth.

At Caleverleigh Church back at the beginning of March a Taize service was held in the afternoon. A Taize service is a time of prayerful chants, prayer and silence. There is no pressure to speak or even join with the chanting but it is still a very spiritual service in which you can just sit and listen. Thanks to Tim and Gill for leading this service. The next one will be on 3 May at 4pm.

Also in March, two very special members of our church and parish celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary. What an achievement and of course a long-lasting commitment to each other. Our love and congratulations go to Derek and Mary and we wish you more anniversaries to come.

Our best wishes go to all those who have been celebrating, a new arrival in the family, a notable birthday, wedding anniversary or been celebrating any other kind of special event.

Holy week was a very special and reflective time with many faith activities and services arranged throughout the Mission Community.  It was a privilege to join with Rev’d Steph and others on Zoom for evening prayer through most of that week apart from Maundy Thursday, where many met at Washfield village hall for our Agape meal (a meal served throughout a communion service).  This has meant so much to us this year that Steph has been well enough to lead these and other services after all her health issues of the last 12 months. Our thanks go to Steph, but also to Dawn, Annabelle, Geoffrey and all who helped with the preparations and to provide us with the most delicious and well thought out meal as if we were back eating in Jesus’ time.

Holy Saturday saw an Easter Vigil service at Calverleigh where we began the service outside with a fire pit (which was proving difficult to light thanks to high winds) but with a little perseverance the fire blazed and our candles were lit. We then proceeded to enter the church by candlelight to begin the service. During the service we affirmed our baptismal vows and were sprinkled with water.  Thank you Tim for a lovely spiritual service where we sang, had readings, took communion, celebrated and gave thanks for Christ’s resurrection.  

The following morning was Easter Sunday at which there were visitors from afar, along with many familiar faces. The service was led by Julie but was supported by fellow worship leaders throughout the service in a variety of different ways. Nik invited children to come forward and build a tower of wooden blocks. As they completed their task, to their shock and dismay an ‘earthquake’ knocked it all down.  This led into an explanation of what the two Mary’s experienced on that first Easter morning when the stone was rolled away from the tomb of Jesus.  Dave and Tilly read the lesson and then the two Mary’s (AKA Tasha and Nik) were interviewed by Tommy Truthteller (Marc) about their feelings of what was happening.  It was all very entertaining, especially the fluffy microphone. After the service there was a mini-Easter egg hunt in the churchyard for young (and not so young alike). Thank you to all who took part in the service and, also a big thank you to everyone who decorated the church ready for Easter – all of the displays were really beautiful.

A collection of goods for CHAT was made through Lent and delivered to their office in the week after Easter.  Thanks to everyone who donated either dried or tinned foods or toiletries.  Our next collection will be building up to our harvest thanksgiving celebrations.

We continue to pray for all who are unwell, awaiting test results or treatment at this time and pray that you will soon be feeling much better.  If you would like to be prayed for during a service please contact Aubrey or Jackie.  We only ever use first names. Our thoughts and prayers are also with all who are grieving the loss of a loved one either recently or longer ago.

We send a warm welcome to all those who have moved into Calverleigh or the surrounding area in the past couple of months and we look forward to meeting you at local events, activities or church services.

At this moment in time grants are being applied for to help with the further investigation as to what is happening out of sight, under the flooring.  As soon as we have more information it will be passed on but in the meantime we are continuing to do our bit to raise money.  If anyone would like to contribute to our fundraising efforts please contact our Treasurer, Jackie Herniman who will be pleased to give you the church’s bank details.  Thank you

THE BIG PICTURE

As part of our fundraising for the restoration of the partial floor collapse in the church there is the opportunity to take part in painting/colouring a section of a picture of the church.  The pencil drawn picture has been divided into numbered ‘squares’ which can be bought for £5.00 each and coloured/painted however you wish.  These will then be collected in and assembled in the correct order and hopefully the completed picture will be displayed in church.  If you are interested in taking part your piece of the picture can be picked up at the coffee morning or by contacting Aubrey on 01884 255248.  Thank you Alison, Aubrey and Tilly who have all hand a hand in drawing the original picture being used.