MORNING PRAYER
is a simple act of worship and prayers for the Church, the world and those in need and takes place every weekday, Monday - Saturday, from 9am for 25 mins in the Side Chapel. Do join us.

THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY BOXES
The total raised from 48 boxes was £1,319.38. Many thanks to all the box holders.  If you would like to give on a regular basis to this good cause, please speak to me.  My list of box holders shrinks each year and The Children's Society needs our support for all it's projects.  I have empty collecting boxes waiting for a home. Jenny Smith. 

CHURCH MAGAZINE
The magazine is on sale at £1. If you would like the next 6 issues posted to you please complete an application form. We are not able to offer to deliver the magazine for free. Our new editor is Richard White and he can be contacted here.

PRAYERS AT STAINBECK
Thursday evenings at 7:30pm, a welcome is given to all to gather at Stainbeck URC for half-an-hour to pray, sing, read, speak, listen and keep silence together. A number of different people lead this time, when the service follows a varied pattern from set liturgies (including some from Iona and Taizé) to more informal worship styles. Communion is celebrated, usually on the fourth Thursday of each month.
Every first Thursday, prayers focus on the community and are shared with other local churches.

‘START!’ - DISCOVERING CHRISTIANITY
An opportunity to think through the basics of the Christian faith and what it means to us. What can we know about God? Who did Jesus really claim to be? What promises has God given us? We will be starting a six week course in May, meeting at a time most suitable to the whole group. Please have a word with the vicar after a service. We are asking any adults considering being confirmed to join this course, then additional preparation will follow.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK
is 12th -18th May with the theme "Bite Back at Hunger" I am looking for a few more willing volunteers to deliver and collect envelopes around our parish this year to ease the load on those who have been doing this for many years. This is a fantastic way to bear witness and show "Faith in Action". Please if you think you could help either put your name on the list at the back of Church or speak to Karen Burgon Mayne.

PARISH WALK
The next is on 18th May. Meet at Church at 9.30am for a walk led by Loose Men. This is really two walks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon – both starting and finishing at the ‘Red Lion’ at Shadwell where we shall have lunch if the weather is poor (and otherwise in a local park). The morning walk comes south into Roundhay Park and will be between 3.5 and 5 miles depending if we walk round Waterloo Lake. The optional afternoon walk is 2 miles. For further details, contact Peter Oldfield.

AUCTION OF TALENTS
Organised by the St. Matthew’s Tower Bellringers in aid of the drive and roof appeal. If anyone has a talent they wish to donate e.g. Bake a fruit cake, wash someone’s house windows, do three hours of general gardening work, take someone on a day out etc – then write this on the board in Church. Others who are interested in purchasing a talent can bid for these by writing say £10 (+ their name) against an item – but someone could then cross this out and put in a higher bid of £12. All bids would be accepted as at Trinity Sunday (26th May). After this date, the bid winners will be notified and put in touch with those offering their talents. Payment would be to those offering their talents, who can then pass the money to the Church Treasurer (gift-aided if possible). Ideally all offers would be redeemed by the end of August so that the amount raised can be finalised. If there are any queries, contact Peter Oldfield.

TINNED AND DRIED FOOD
My supply of food for casual callers at the vicarage has run out. I will put a blue box at the back of Church for any donations.
Thank you, David.

WOW YOUTH GROUP
it's a place to relax, play games, cook food, do crafts, meet friends and lots more. Wednesdays in term time at Chapel Allerton Methodist Centre, 7:30-9:15pm, for Years 9+. Contact Hannah Dey for more details.

THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY BOXES
The total raised from 48 boxes was £1,319.38. Many thanks to all the box holders.  If you would like to give on a regular basis to this good cause, please speak to me.  My list of box holders shrinks each year and The Children's Society needs our support for all its projects.  I have empty collecting boxes waiting for a home. Jenny Smith.

SHARE THE MUSIC!
The choir of St. Matthew’s Church have some exciting events planned. Will you help to spread the word? If you belong to any groups, e.g. slimming or book clubs, exercise classes, toddler groups or drama societies, please let your fellow members know about any forthcoming events. Encourage local businesses you know or your workplace to display and advertise events on notice boards or in company newsletters. There will be printed material available for this. Getting as many people as possible to talk about the choir and attend will help the choir grow, and lead to even more musical events and activities for the church and community to enjoy in the future – everyone wins! Other suggestions to help spread the word would be warmly welcomed, please talk to the Music Director, Josh, after the service or email saint.matts.choir@gmail.com. And don’t forget to like us on Facebook!

THE MUSIC GROUP
Is looking for new members. If you play an instrument and would like to join please come along contact Ellen Haining.
New members especially welcome.

JOINING THE PLANNED GIVING SCHEME
if you are not already in the planned giving scheme, will you please consider joining today by filling in the purple pledge cards situated in the pews – and placing them in the offertory plate during the service, or giving to a warden or staff team member.

CITY PRAYER LUNCHES @3 Albion Place, Leeds
at 12:30 on the Last Thursday of Each Month, For Christians working in the Leeds Business Community. Taking time out of the working day to pray and read the bible is never easy but always worth it. Doing it on your own is perhaps even harder. Over the last few months a regular prayer lunch has begun in the middle of the Leeds business district and it’s proving to be a really encouraging point in the month. For more details please contact: Rev Rob Hinton 07540 448337.

CARING FOR LIFE (from Audrey Reed)
This local Christian charity supports over 200 vulnerable people to live in the community. This year it is set to lose over £300,000 in government funding. All Caring for Life supporters such as myself have been asked to find one other person, who is prepared to donate £1 per week. If we can do this, it will go a long way to making up this financial shortfall. Information about Caring for Life can be found at www.caringforlife.co.uk or I have a CD.  If anyone would like to discuss this, please contact me, Audrey Reed.

PASTORAL VISITING TEAM
The co-ordinator of PVT is Gill Deighton. Please contact Gill if you are aware of anyone who is in need of a visit, either at home or in hospital, and/or would like to receive home communion. When Gill is not available please contact the deputy co-ordinator Lynda Robinson

PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY
Gordon Henderson is compiling a monthly prayer sheet which is on the reverse of the weekly lectionary sheets at the back of Church. Please take and use! And if you have suggestions for prayer topics please email Gordon

TEDDY PRAISE
is a short informal service for pre-school children and their carers and takes place every Wednesday in term time at 10.30am. As the carers need to supervise their children, we have a small number of helpers who come in to serve tea, coffee and biscuits on a rota basis but really need a few more If you are free on a Wednesday morning and would like to be part of the Teddy Praise team, please contact either Alison Eden or Sheelagh Spinks in Church.

IBY KNILL
If you would like to order Iby's book ‘The woman without a number’, you can ask Iby via email.

UNWANTED GOLD OR SILVER
Lying in a jewellery box etc, would you consider donating it to St. Matthew’s Church? Revd Sue Rusholme will collect and take it to sell. The price of precious metals is holding it’s own at the moment. Please pop your contribution in an envelope and leave in the box provided. It will be emptied regularly. Thank you.

DRIVEWAY AND GUTTERS
Donations towards the cost of these essential repairs can be made on the collection plate, in the special envelopes available on the pews in Church.  If you are a tax payer please use the Gift Aid version of the envelope.


Plenty of different ways to help St. Matthew's and your community.


SCHOOL COMING INTO CHURCH
St. Matthew’s school regularly come into Church for services and events. Would you be able to be a host/welcomer alongside the staff team? Please get in touch if you can help.

CUBS AND SCOUTS
at 7th North Leeds (St. Matthew’s Chapel Allerton) Scout Group.
Currently there are over 70 young people in three sections involved in Scouting at St. Matthew’s - Beavers (aged 6-8yrs); Cubs (aged 8 -10½yrs); Scouts (aged 10½ - 14yrs)
Scouts of whatever age are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities to help them to find out about the world in which they live, encourage them to know their own abilities and the importance of keeping fit, and to help them develop their creative talents. They also have opportunities to explore their own values and personal attitudes as they become older.
If you’ve ever thought about making a difference for the young people in Chapel Allerton or giving something back to your local community, now is the time to take up the challenge and join the adventure of Scouting at St. Matthew’s.
Our Scout group needs your help now, as a Cub Scout Leader or as a Scout Leader to assist the Leadership team in the continued delivery of exciting events and activities. Whatever time you can give, we will value your experience, talents and involvement.
For further details please contact Doug Pollock Group Scout Leader.

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE
THE NEW COFFEE ROTA to September 2013 is now out. Copies are available in the kitchen. We are still looking for volunteers to help with coffees after the Sunday service 3 or 4 times a year; if you would be able to help, please contact Tina Rowe

PAFRAS
Charity is a local charity set to provide services to vulnerable Refugees and Asylum Seekers. A drop in centre is run twice a week at St. Aidans Church Hall Roundhay Road, where hot meals, food parcels, toiletries, clothing and advice is provided free of charge. There has been an unprecedented demand for their services with over 100 attending. The charity is totally reliant on donations. Please put items into the yellow box at the back of Church.

SUNDAY MENA LUNCHES
New volunteers needed. About 30 people enjoy a three course meal, which is much appreciated particularly by those who live alone. Volunteers help once every three months from 12.30 - 3pm serving food or in the kitchen. Please contact The Vicar.

DRIVERS
needed once a month on a Wednesday afternoon, to provide transport to and from the 2pm service of Holy Communion. We have people who want to attend but are not able to do so until we have more drivers. Please contact Carol Blackburn.

BEEHIVE - OPENING TIMES - Opening times are at present:- Wednesday 1 - 4pm, Thursday 10am - 1pm, Friday 10am - 1pm and Saturday 10am - 1pm.  If you, or someone you know can help run the shop, do unpacking and pricing or even join the committee, please contact The Beehive

ACORN CHRISTIAN BOOKS
is an independent shop in Headingley selling books, Bibles and resources. If they don't stock what you are looking for, they are happy to order for you. 1 Monkbridge Road, Leeds, LS6 4DX.  0113 2758233.  Open Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 5.30pm. Easy to find, easy parking.

STRUGGLING WITH DEBT?
Free debt counselling for everyone from an award winning charity. This service has recently expanded to cover our area, with sponsorship from Chapel A Baptist Church. If you know anyone who would benefit from this expert service, please ask them to call free on 0800 328 0006.

KEEP IN TOUCH
with all that is going on at St. Matthew’s and our linked Churches, by:
(1) subscribing to the magazine - to be sent out to you by post. Please complete the form by the magazines at the back of Church and return to the vicarage with cash or cheque.
(2) Receiving the pew sheet each week by email – simply send an email to David Robinson with the subject ‘notice sheet by email’ or simply re-visit this page regularly.

(St. Matthew's Church is not responsible for content of external websites).
 

To submit a notice, please contact the Vicar.