EAST AFRICA FOOD CRISIS
There is a basket at the back of Church for gifts to the Emergency Appeal which will be directed through Christian Aid.

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

BARBARA HARDY
and the family would like to thank everyone for their kind messages during a very sad time.

PLANNED GIVING SCHEME
Thank you if you are already a member of the Planned Giving Scheme, or have recently joined. To change the amount you give through the scheme, please simply contact your bank to instruct them, or change the amount you put in your envelopes. You do not need to return any form to us.
If you want to join the planned giving scheme, please return the yellow response form to our planned giving recorder, Dr Martin Smith, in the envelope provided. He will then contact you with further details. Thank you.

GIFT FOR ST. MATTHEW’S
Thank you to everyone who has increased their regular giving to St. Matthew’s and to all the groups who have raised extra money this year. Our anticipated shortfall of £25,000 for this year has now been reduced again, thanks to all your extra generous gifts.

Envelopes for 2012 are available for all existing members.  Anyone wishing to join the scheme gifting via envelopes or bank standing order should contact Martin Smith. ESPECIAL THANKS FOR OUR 9 NEW MEMBERS!


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 should be emptied in February. (From Jenny Smith)
Please bring your box to Church. If you cannot find me, please ask one of the Churchwardens to put it in the Church safe.
The boxes will be emptied and returned to the back of Church for you to collect and begin filling again please.
Thank you to all box-holders.  If anyone would like a box to collect for the Children's Society please ask me for one.
Jenny Smith.

CHAMPIONS!  Summer Holiday Club 20 - 23 August.
At 7.30 pm on Monday 6th February in The Meeting Room there is a preliminary meeting to learn more about the theme and programme.  All those willing to help please come - 4 days only this year. Contact Helen Lee and Jenny Smith

CHOCOLATE TASTING EVENING
on Wednesday 8th February at 7.30pm in the Meeting Room. David Greenwood-Haigh from Divine Chocolate will introduce us to the art of chocolate tasting and give an overview of Divine's Fair Trade policies and their relationship with cocoa suppliers in the developing world. Samples of the different kinds of chocolate will be included, and there will be a range of Divine chocolate available to buy on the night. Tickets are available at £2.50 each from Tina Rowe, Nick Seddon or Adrian Cromwell.

St. Matthew's Quiz night
will be held at Stainbeck Hall at 7.30 on Saturday 11th February. Tickets cost £4 (including refreshments) and are available from the social committee. There will be a raffle. Please bring your own drinks and glasses.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
Two training sessions, aimed at all, paid or unpaid, who work with children and youth people. Each session will provide a practical framework for ensuring that church activities with children and young people are safe. Saturday 18th February 10am - 1pm at St. Mark's Church Harrogate. Saturday 25th February 10am - 1pm at the Diocesan Office, Leeds. Booking with Gail Matthewman on 200 0558 or gail.mattewman@riponleeds-diocese.org.uk

JUNIOR CONFIRMATION COURSE
If you are a young person in school year 7 and above, and considering being confirmed, please have a word with the Vicar, or with Rosie Oliver or Jenny Smith as soon as possible. This year’s Confirmation Service will take place on Sunday 17th June at 10am, and the 14-week preparation course will take place on Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 7pm, beginning on 21st February at the Methodist Centre. You are most welcome to join this group where we will explore in fresh and lively ways what it means to be a Christian today. Rosie Oliver or Jenny Smith.
ANY ADULTS who want to confirm their faith should contact the Vicar in order to join a small group in preparation for 17th June.

CHURCHES TOGETHER LENT TALK
at Stainbeck Church on Thursday 23rd February at 7.30pm. Our speaker is Andrew Grinnell who will talk on Finance and Inequality. Simple meal of soup and dessert. Please sign up at the back of Church.

ST. MATTHEW’S LENT DISCUSSIONS
Continue the theme from the above. We start at 7.30pm with a simple meal of soup (provided) and pudding (offerings gratefully received), followed by guest speaker and open discussion. Wednesday 7th March Does God love the bankers? with Revd Rob Hinton, Minister to business community. Wednesday 21st March What does Luke say about money? with Richard Oliver, Reader. Wednesday 28th March The Money Revolution with Revd David Robinson. Please sign up

Start!
Discovering Christianity in six small group sessions
Life! What is it like? Some say it’s a dream, others call it a joke. Some describe it as a puzzle and a lucky few enjoy
the life of Riley.
If you’ve got questions about life and the Christian faith and are looking for answers, then why not make a Start!
Start! is a six-session course designed to help people discover the basics of the Christian faith.
Run in groups of six to ten people. Each session involves watching a couple of short DVD programmes, followed by time to talk, listen and ask questions.
What will it cost? Nothing! The course is free.
Where? St. Matthew’s Church
Time? Sunday afternoons 4 - 5.30pm
When? 4th March, 11th March, 18th March,
25th March, 22nd April, 29th April.
PLEASE CONTACT: David Robinson

CHURCH WEEKEND AWAY
We have decided that it was too short notice to go to Cober Hill next February, so we have booked a weekend away for the whole Church for 22nd-24th February 2013. Please note this date now and more details will be given in the new year.

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

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

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 Lucy Irvine or Sheelagh Spinks in Church.

MEN ON THE LOOSE
is a social gathering of men from St. Matthew’s. We aim to meet up at least once every two months. We are putting the programme together now for the next year. If you would like to be included in the mailing let us know.

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.



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

FIRST AIDERS
As a church we are now required to hold a list of trained First Aiders in connection with the latest diocesan Safeguarding Children Policy. We also encourage everyone to consider gaining some First Aid knowledge. There will be a list at the back of Church for the next three weeks for trained First Aiders to add their names to.

STAINBECK HALL MANAGEMENT TEAM
is looking for new volunteers to join a small but committed group who help with the care, maintenance and promotion of our Church Hall on Stainbeck Lane. Meetings take place about five times a year. Please contact the Vicar, Lis Boardman or Bronwen Fisher for further details.

GOVERNORS FOR ST. MATTHEW’S SCHOOL
There are two vacancies at present. We need at least one new governor who is not a parent of a child in the school.
For more information please contact the Vicar or any present governor.

CELL GROUP Co-leader for Chapel Allerton Youth Project
One of our Thursday Youth Cell Groups is looking for a co-leader for two terms, to cover a leader who is taking a break. Cell meets every week during term time between 7 - 8.30pm and is for young people aged 14 -18. We talk about our week, eat snacks, watch DVD clips, read bits of the Bible, discuss how they’re relevant to our lives and pray in ways that help us connect with God. Sue Rusholme will be leading alongside you. Could you be the person we are looking for? You don’t need to be a vicar or a teacher (though you could be!), just someone who cares about young people. Training, support and encouragement available from leaders and young people! Please contact Hannah Dey or Sue Rusholme

MAGAZINE EDITOR(S)
In our appeal for a new editor/editorial team for the magazine, it occurred to me that some people may be interested in taking this role on, but may be discouraged because they think it is too difficult or beyond them. It really isn’t that tough, but it might be helpful to get an idea of what is actually involved. Please take a green job description from the back of Church. If you need any more information, or would just like to chat about the idea of editing, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We need a new editor or the magazine will not appear anymore! Helen Copeland. See Job Description.

MENTORING SCHEME
A team from Chapel Allerton Youth Project has been engaged in a mentoring scheme at Carr Manor High school. There is an opportunity for people to be trained and give time to young people who would appreciate extra support. It will involve: working one-to-one with an 11-16 year old for six hour sessions in school time over a term; engaging with issues including family, friends, confidence, school, bullying; receiving training and support within a team of mentors. If you would like to find out more please contact Hannah Dey.

REGULAR GIVING
St. Matthew’s enriches hundreds of lives week in week out. St. Matthew’s needs your support week in week out in order to pay its bills. Please ensure that we enjoy your presents even when we are not able to enjoy your presence. Please take the first step to joining our weekly or monthly planned giving scheme by picking up a form today from the churchwardens or clergy, and returning to Martin Smith. Thank you.

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.


SERVING AT COMMUNION
One of the ways of contributing to the life of the Church is to serve at Holy Communion. Our young people (and not so young) have assisted for a number of years, but for various reasons we are now very short of servers. If you would like to assist in this way we would be delighted to tell you more. There is no upper age limit, and training will be given. Please ask the Vicar or Chris Johnson if interested.

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
A new coffee rota for Sunday mornings is being drawn up. We are hoping for one or two extra helpers to replace those who have had to come off the rota so that we only need to each be on the rota 3 or 4 times a year. Serving coffees is a great way to see everyone as they come for their cuppa and provides a valuable service for lots of people. If you feel able to help or if you know of anyone else who might (it would be lovely to have a few extra men on the rota too!) 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.

LARGE DISPLAY CABINET
Free to good home. Details from vicar or wardens.

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 Emma Davies