Hazelwell Weekly Contact May 17th 2026
14 May 2026 • Weekly Notices
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Joint service at St Bedes (11.00am) led by Rev. Matt Churchouse
Please remember in your prayers
Residents of Melstock Road and Hambury Drive (including Vicarage Court, Hambury Court and Pineapple Place).
Matt as he prepares for the service this week.
All Members of the PCC and JCC at Hazelwell and St Bedes as they work together towards achieving one united church.
Service Plan For May
Thursday 14th May 6.30 pm Ascension Day Service
at Church of the Ascension Pineapple Road.
May 17th 11.00am – Joint service, St Bedes Bryndale Av.
May 24th 10.00am - Hazelwell Holy Communion and Gift Day.
May 31st 10.00am – Methodist preaching Service at Hazelwell followed by APCM.
Electoral Roll
A copy of the electoral roll will be available in church prior to the APCM (or you can ask Mary) to check if you are included on it. If your name does not already appear and you would like to be included as a regular member of the congregation please ask Mary for a registration form to be completed before the APCM on May 31st.
APCM – date for your Diary
Please note Sunday May 31st which is the date of this year’s Annual church meeting.
In addition to our normal Sunday worship, we look forward to welcoming as many church members as possible to review the last year, appoint church officers for the coming year and hear more of our future direction. We hope everyone will make it a priority to be in church on this date.
If you would like an electronic copy of the Annual Report please email Val at valknap@sky.com
Summer Plans
As discussed previously, the JCC has agreed to replace our traditional summer fair with a different, fun and exciting event ( July 18th) which is focussed on Jesus and encourages members of the local community to see that they might come to know him too.
Concerns have been expressed about the consequent potential loss of income. To that end we plan to hold a Gift Day for church members on 24th May.It is hoped that folk will give generously donating at least as much as they might normally spend on our traditional fair and ideally more. This will Enable us to welcome local people to our summer event concentrating on the real message that we have to offer without prioritising fundraising.
A reflection on Acts of the Apostles 1:6–14
The disciples stand in a moment of uncertainty. Jesus has risen, appeared to them, taught them, and now prepares to leave them again. Their question is understandable: “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” They are still hoping for something visible, immediate, and political. They long for clarity about the future.
Jesus does not give them the timetable they seek. Instead, he redirects their attention: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.” The focus is not on knowing everything, but on trusting God and being faithful in the present moment.
How often we also want certainty about what lies ahead. We ask God for plans, dates, and guarantees. Yet Jesus calls us not to anxious speculation but to faithful witness. The Christian life is less about possessing all the answers and more about living with courage, hope, and trust.
The image of the Ascension is both beautiful and challenging. As Jesus is taken from their sight, the disciples are left gazing upward. The angels gently remind them that discipleship cannot remain fixed on the sky. They must return to Jerusalem, to prayer, community, and waiting. Faith is not escapism; it is lived in the ordinary places of life.
The final verses show the disciples gathered together in unity and prayer, alongside the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus’ brothers. Before Pentecost, before preaching, before miracles, there is simply a praying community waiting upon God. This is where the Church begins — not in power or certainty, but in dependence and hope.
There is comfort here for anyone living in a time of waiting. The disciples did not yet know what the Holy Spirit would bring. They only knew that Jesus had promised to be faithful. Sometimes our own calling is simply to remain prayerful, united, and open to God’s leading, even when the future is unclear.
