Eastertide Wishes from Algarkirk

March is the month that changes everything. In like a lion and out like a lamb, as the proverb goes. The clocks go forward, the nights grow shorter and finally there is a hint that spring – if not summer – might really be on its way.

This year, with Easter so early, it is also the month in which we celebrate our Lord’s sacrifice and promise of redemption for us all. For us at Algarkirk we are blessed to be able to celebrate Easter day with a communion service at 11am instead of our usual 9am morning service. Our thanks go to Fr Brian Newton for ministering to us on that day, and all the others who have been taking our services. What would we do without our retired clergy and volunteer Readers to help see us through this interregnum period?

We were looking forward to the arrival of the Lincoln Cathedral Choir on 20th March, but unfortunately that has now been put back until October. It is very disappointing, but we must still be grateful that they will be coming at all!

Our Crafty Coffee and Cake Club has been far from a disappointment though. Now held twice a month – every second and fourth Wednesday – we are really enjoying the chance to either try new crafts or to just get on with whatever projects we are currently working on, or even do nothing but drink tea and munch on a slice of delicious cake. It is not just for the ladies either! Men are welcome too. It is such a nice atmosphere in which to get creative (or just messy!)

Last month, we held our public consultation for the new plans for the readaptation of our church: there will be a kitchen, library and café added for community use as well as workshop areas for craft groups to use. In addition, we hope to be upgrading the bell frame so that our magnificent bells will be not just ringable again, but also suitable for bell training. The feedback from the people who came was very positive, which means we can go forward to the next phase with our Heritage Lottery bid. If all is successful, we hope to be able to start work toward the end of 2017