Dear friends, Jesus invites us in spirit to accompany him to the top of the mountain. We are called, amidst the lights and shadows of our own lives to look at Jesus and to listen to the Father. The words spoken reveal who Jesus is. Yet the same words are spoken over you and me: “you are my beloved child!” In a world of competition and comparison, it’s important to remember that we are loved. Indeed as the popular contemporary spiritual writer, Bishop Erik Varden recently said, perhaps the greatest challenge for men and women of our time is to believe that they are loved by God. Take time then, this week, to listen in faith to God’s word and live from your own belovedness. It’s lifechanging! With a prayer for you all, my brothers and sisters in Christ, beloved sons and daughters of God, Fr David +

The Repository will reopen today, Sunday 1st March, commencing with the sale of our popular low-cost Easter cards.

First Holy Communion Group Events: It is essential that all parents and children attend the relevant events.

Monday 2nd March at 7:00 pm - St Werburgh's and St Columba's Primary School, for an Information Evening for Parents. Then, on Monday 9th March at 6:00 pm, Fr David will lead a commentary on the Mass for all our First Holy Communion children and their families. Tuesday 17th March at 6:30 pm in St Werburgh's Church - A meeting for parents and a class for the children who don't attend our Catholic Primary School. Children will need their new workbooks and pencils.

Welcome Wednesday thoroughly enjoyed Geoff Taylor’s talk about the Canadian arm of Taylor’s Boatyard. It was not only hugely informative but delivered with humour and sparkle. All welcome next week, 4th March 10:00 am to 12:00 pm for coffee/tea, dominoes and chat.

Lead, Kindly Light – The Journey in Faith. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 4^th of March at 7 p.m., when the group will consider the Person of Jesus Christ.

Shakespeare In Love – performed this year by the Bebington Dramatic Society – Wednesday 4th March at 7:30 pm in Port Sunlight. Tickets are £12 and all the money goes towards the SVP Holiday Home in Talacre. Please contact Marco on svpchester@gmail.com or mobile 07778 392816 for tickets and information.

Planned Giving/Gift Aid - If you pay income tax, joining the Gift Aid scheme increases the value of your donations to the Parish by 25% at no extra cost to you. If you no longer pay income tax, have changed your home address in the last 2 years, wish to join the Gift Aid Scheme, or simply update your planned giving/gift aid, please contact Denise Jones via the parish office admin@stwerburghchester.co.uk by 5^th April.

Faith Stories Christleton Churches Together has organised a series of informal talks. There will be an opportunity for questions and refreshments afterwards. Meetings will take place at Christleton Methodist Chapel: 7:00 pm on 4th March, 11th March and 25th March.

World Day of Prayer Service, International, Ecumenical, Women-led, All Are Welcome Friday 6^th March 10.30 am, At St John the Baptist Church, Vicarage Lane, Chester CH1 1QX

Also on Friday, 6th March, from 10:00 –11:00 am, St Werburgh’s & St Columba’s Primary school will be hosting a Pop-Up Play Village session for toddlers and young children. Whether you are a member of our parish looking for a friendly community activity, or you are beginning to explore school options for 2026/27, you are warmly invited to go along! The new Headteacher, Mrs Jevons will be available to meet parents and carers during the event. Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/Play-session

Christian Aid - Lenten Lunch at the Wesley Methodist Church in St John Street, Chester on Monday 9th March, for which St Werburgh's, along with the Presbyterian Church of Wales, prepare a simple Lenten lunch for those attending. All proceeds go to Christian Aid.

The Chester Theological Society (CTS) are hosting a lecture onTheology and Imagination presented by The Reverend Dr Andrea Russell at Hollybank (Chester University’s dept. of Theology and Religious Studies), Liverpool Rd on Wednesday, 11th March at 7:30 pm. Entrance is £5 and includes wine/soft drinks.

For the musically minded, here’s a couple of the things coming up this month: here at St Werburgh’s, we will once again host the Chester Bach Singers for their spring concert on Saturday 14^th March at 3.00pm, 'Music of Dedication', which will feature Anton Bruckner's Mass in E Minor, as well as works by Amy Beach and Fanny Hensel. See www.chesterbachsingers.org.uk for further information and tickets. Then on Mother’s Day, Sunday 15^th March at 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm at Chester Town Hall Philip Chidell will perform with a live orchestra, see www.PhilipChidell.com or call at the Visitor Centre by the Town Hall itself.

Holy Week Liturgies - there is a sign-up sheet for at the back of Church for readers, ministers, welcomers etc. thank you in advance for your generosity and support.

Jubilee Holy Year for St Francis. Maria Fryer from St John’s Parish on the Wirral is organising a special pilgrimage to Assisi on 28th June to 3rd July. The cost is £995 and 20 people are required to make the pilgrimage viable. If you would like to know more, please telephone Maria on 07576-243-343.

Photo of the week: Thank you to Yana Laszcziw for this photo of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Tournai, Belgium. Built in the first half of the 12th century, it is especially distinguished by a Romanesque nave of extraordinary dimensions, a wealth of sculpture on its capitals and a transept topped by five towers, all precursors of the Gothic style. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage list