Newsletter
Holy Trinity & Altcar Parsh Church - St Michael and All Angels.
MARCH NEWSLETTER 2026
David Taylor Writes
Dear Friends,
I seem to be surrounded by resolutions. My colleagues in China are just returning to work after their Lunar New Year celebrations; they cleared their desks and in-trays before the holiday and now return to a blank slate to make what they can of the coming year.My colleagues in the Emirates are occupied with hungry, thirsty days and family parties in the evening as, for them, it is Ramadan. The devout amongst them are thinking of others less fortunate than themselves.
For us, we are deep in Lent. Are you one of those people who gives something up for Lent? It is rather less fashionable now than in earlier times, but it is still a time to reassess priorities. Many, many, years ago, I preached my first “public” sermon. It was to the inmates of Walton Prison (where I was on a six month “pastoral placement”). I was walking in to help lead the service and the Priest tapped me on the shoulder and told me I was to preach. The reading, as this year, was “temptation in the wilderness” and I felt most uncomfortable… Which leads me to my Lenten observance. I try to give up worrying. Or, if you want a more positive slant, I try to remember that I am a child of God and an inheritor of the heavenly kingdom.
So, as we take this time to look back at the past and forward to the future, let us hold on to that. God loves and understands each of us – so we wait together for Holy Week and Easter Day.
Every blessing,
David
Prayer Harmony
Isaiah 66:13 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.
As we continue our Lent pilgrimage, we bring before God the world around us, full of contrasts. We pray for the poor and disadvantaged, that we may find a way to help them. We pray for those in power, the rich and famous, that they will turn from avarice and pride and recognise their responsibilities towards others, and learn to serve and share, to have compassion and love.
We pray for all conflict, that it may cease, without reservation. Conflict, not only in the form of war and hostility between nations, but also conflict in our homes and workplaces, churches and friendship groups. May there be only love.
Mothering Sunday brings to mind the deep love that God has for us, just as a mother has for her child. We pray for all who have no one to call ‘mother’, and those whose mothers are no longer around. We give thanks for all who have mothered each one of us, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, as well as parents, and we ask for God’s blessing on them all.
Palm Sunday, at the end of the month, gives us pause to remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, not with pomp and circumstance, but with humility and service. We pray that we may emulate that humility, service, compassion and love that He taught us to desire.
Zechariah 9:9 See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey
Coffee & Sides Person Rotas
We are short of people to carry out these two important welcoming roles.
Should you wish to join either the coffee rota or sides persons rota or both and make a difference for the people who come to church, please let Jenny know. Both are rewarding.
Prayer Group each Thursday 7.00pm-8.00pm, no invitation required, just turn up at the Prayer Room. All very welcome for all or some of the time.
Bible study continues Tuesdays at 2.00pm every other week at Elisabeth’s home. All very welcome.
For a lift or other information call Sylvia on 07872 314103
Thursday Cuppa & Chat 10.00am to 12.00 noon.
Please come along. You will find a warm friendly welcome, serving tea, coffee and toast with jam & marmalade. What’s not to like!
Parish Breakfast
Next Parish Breakfast is Sunday 1st March in the Parish Hall
It will be an English breakfast with bacon this month and cost £3.00.
Pizza Eaters Youth Group
Wednesday 4th March 6.30pm-8.00pm in Church.
All who are Year 6 or older are very welcome, either chat to Sylvia on 07872 314103, or just come along on the night.
This summer several of our members have important exams and would appreciate everyone’s prayers for everything to go smoothly.
Saturday 7th March 9.00am -12.00noon
St Michael’s are holding a coffee morning in the workshop.
Everyone invited to this very sociable chit and chat morning.
You will be supporting St Michael’s fund raising for the Church.
Holy Trinity Guides
Unfortunately, we’ve had to make a difficult decision to close our Guide Unit at Holy Trinity. We had a meeting in January 2026 to discuss, and Formby Girlguiding Division committee had a meeting to discuss as well. We are totally devasted, but we have tried for over the past year with support from various people and church to recruit girls, through posters, social media, speaking to Brownie units in Formby and schools, but nowadays Children have so many other commitments after school it is very hard to make choices.
The Brownie unit at Holy Trinity is nearly coming to an end as well, as they have had no girls for 10 months, but hoping to try and recruit after Easter. So, this has had an impact on the Guide unit.
Below is some information about 2nd Holy Trinity Guides
2nd Holy Trinity Guides was first registered on 13.1.30 when Formby Girlguiding was part of Southport Division. The Unit was re-registered on 24th July 1972 as part of Cross Green District in Formby. We have had various leaders and assistant leaders over the years – here are a few but will have been many more:
Wendy Cook
Helen Cook
Jean Campbell
Helen Rothwell (Gillon)
A bit about myself and involvement in 2nd Holy Trinity Guides: -
I first joined at the age of 13 as a Guide in 1985 when my family moved to Formby
(My mum Anne Rothwell used to attend Holy Trinity Guide unit)
I then became a young leader in 1989 and Wendy, Helen and Judith were leaders
I then became an Assistant leader in 1994. I became a Guide Leader for 2nd Holy Trinity Guides in 1999 until present date.
So, I have been involved in 2nd Holy Trinity Guides for over 41 years.
There was another Guide unit at Trinity called 7th Holy Trinity Guides but many years ago the 2 units merged as leaders left and we became 2nd Holy Trinity Guides only – the leaders were Sue Taylor, Jan Outram, Claire Cowling, Angela Johnson.
I have had Lots of great memories over the years that I will never forget and made many great friends along the way. I will still be involved in Girlguiding in Formby helping at other units when needed and I am the Residential Adviser for Girlguiding Formby.
I will still be attending Church Parades and Wreathing services at Holy Trinity as don’t want too loose contact as it plays an important role in my life
Myself, Parents, Brother and Grandparents were all married at Holy Trinity and my Children were all Baptised there too.
Holy Trinity IT in Church
Shirley is wishing to step away from updating the information shown on the monitor in Church. She has done it for many years, and our thanks go to Shirley for an amazing job done and appreciated by all who read what’s going on during the month and beyond.
This is an important part of Church Communication.
Should you be the one to take this task on, please speak to Shirley or ask Jenny for her mobile number. Thank you
Lent Course 2026
The course will run for 5 weeks in Holy Trinity Church Foyer.
Should you have missed the first week, last week, don’t worry. You are very welcome to join us
This Tuesday 24th February 7.30pm and Wednesday 25th February 10am finishing on Tuesday 24th March 7.30pm & Wednesday 25th March 10.00am
It’s every Tuesday at 7.30pm or every Wednesday at 10am for 5 weeks. We will be using the book by Paula Gooder Lent Wise ‘Spiritual essentials for Real Life.’
Paula writes: ‘As we journey through life, we experience we face challenges both big and small. What spiritual essentials will help us survive life’s storms? Lent Wise is a five-session course which helps us to deal with the rigors of real life. Using fresh insights from St John’s Gospel, it explores direction, nourishment, wisdom, refreshment, and security.’
Why not join us for a thought provoking and enjoyable experience.
Coming Up
Friday 6th March, World Day of Prayer 2.00pm. St Stephen’s Hightown.
The Church is only a short walk from Hightown Station.
Written by the women of Nigeria.
Everyone is invited to come along, and refreshments will be served after the service.
Sunday 15th March. Mothering Sunday 10.30am (One Service)
Monday 16th March. Bereavement Course starts 6.30pm, lasts 7 weeks and the 7th week is a Faith week and optional. This is open to anyone who has lost a loved one whether recently or in the past. For more information, please call John Paton on 01704 872955
Easter Services
Thursday 2nd April Maundy Thursday 6.00pm Holy Communion at St Michael’s
7.30pm at Holy Trinity
Friday 3rd April Good Friday
10.00am service Holy Trinity 2.00pm St Michael’s An Hour at the Cross
Saturday 4th April Easter Vigil 7.30pm St Michael’s. The promise of light
Sunday 5th April Easter Day
9.30am Holy Communion at St
He is Risen10.30am Holy Trinity Parade Service with Holy
Communion
