News from St Pancras
A leaving service followed by lunch for the Revd Ross and Alison Hathway on 8th February, Accessible access to the church and Ash Wednesday service on the 18th February
Sunday 8th February will be the Revd Ross Hathway’s last service at St Pancras. Everyone is invited to attend to say goodbye and thank you to Ross and Alison. There will be coffee and tea after the service, as usual, in Church House, followed by a light lunch. If you would like to bring your own drink to share, please feel free to do so. After two years in Widecombe, we will be sorry to see him go but he is moving to Oxford to be nearer his grandchild in London.
If anyone would like to contribute towards a leaving present for Ross, there is a payment button on the Digital payment machine in the church. Please tap the machine and “Collection for Ross” should appear. Please follow instructions but do not Gift Aid this contribution. Money and payments can also be given and paid at his last service. There will also be a leaving card to sign for Ross and Alison which will circulate at the service on Sunday and at his leaving lunch. We are planning to give him a voucher for tools for woodworking which he is very keen on.
Accessibility Access
The PCC have had a prototype of permanent accessible access to the church made and installed. This will enable anyone in a wheelchair to come into the church with help (not unaided) or, it is hoped, make it easier for those less mobile to enter the church.
A book for comments is in the church or email the Churchwardens. If the PCC need to apply for any grant application, proven comments and engagement with the Parishoners will be very useful so comments very welcome. Please note that this is only a prototype and does not include railings on the ramp and steps which will be on the final construction.
We would also like to extend the depth of the wooden steps into the church and there will be a slight lip by the door to make an exit on wheels easier.
Permission is still to be sought from the Diocese and also discussions on the materials to be used.
Ash Wednesday service
St Pancras has been chosen for a United service on 18th February at 7 pm. This will be taken by the Revd Jenny Weigel and all are very welcome. Tea and Coffee will also be served. Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Christian denominations. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and marks the first day of Lent: the seven weeks of prayer, fasting and almsgiving before the arrival of Easter.
