Christ is risen!
It was with great joy that we celebrated our first PASCHA in our own Church.  Thanks be to God!  At the announcement of the Resurrection of Christ, the Church was full and a good number stayed right through for Holy Communion and the Paschal Feast.
Holy Week was also very special this year as, having our own Church and with Fr Christodoulos being stronger, we were able to have the Service of Holy Unction on Wednesday and the Service of the 12 Gospels on Thursday as well as the usual Vespers of Holy Friday.
Many thanks to Father Christodoulos, Sub-Deacon Emmanuel, all the servers and the choir, ably led by Yew Han.  Thanks also to those who donated money for flowers for the Epitaphion Canopy, and to those who decorated it so beautifully.  Thank you to those who gave new items for the Church, just in time for Pascha.  Thank you to our Chairman, Gregory, for lots of behind-the-scenes work, and to all who cleaned and prepared the Church.  Thank you also for the wonderful feast and to all of you who came to the Paschal Services.

Progress on the Church
The building of the Narthex was completed in April enabling us to serve the Holy Liturgy in the Church and to enter Church through our main entrance doors.  The Hall, where we served Holy Liturgy from July 2007 until April, had been transformed into a workshop for all the joinery work, as well as serving as our social area.  It will serve again as a workshop when work commences shortly on the building of our Iconostasis.  The plans are drawn and the ash timber is already cut.
Following a rather unsatisfactory electrical safety report, much electrical work is being completed to secure the necessary certificate which is essential for insurance of the property.
Some of those working on the many practical jobs actually travel many miles to give their skills and time and we thank them very much.  Volunteers are always welcome to assist with construction as well as general maintenance of the Church.  If you can spare a few hours to work during the day, or the evening, please have a word with Gregory.

Fundraising
Our fund-raising brochure is available now.  If you have not had one, do pick one up and one or two for interested friends.  The generous interest free loans given last year to help purchase the church need to be paid back as soon as possible.

The Holy Table
At present Father is using some old table linen for the Holy Table as the original gold cloths do not fit our new larger Holy Table. If you sew, perhaps you can make new cloths.  Eventually, we will have a stone Holy Table but it will be of similar dimensions to the current temporary one.  Talk to Father about this as he will be delighted to hear from you.

Library
We have recently been given a generous library by Mavis Seddon, widow of Richard, who loved to attend the Liturgy until his illness and sad death last year.  Do take a few minutes to look at the library and to borrow one or two books from time to time.  Sub-Deacon Emmanuel will be happy to assist you.

PATRONAL FESTIVAL
Our Patronal Festival is approaching quickly and it will be celebrated on Sunday 29th June with a barbecue in our very own ‘back garden’ at Church.  Keep the day free if possible.  Details to follow.
Speaking of lunches, thank you to those who quite regularly provide hot and cold lunches for everyone after Holy Liturgy.  They are much appreciated and always a pleasant surprise.