“If only you knew the gift of God! … you would ask and He would give you living water”. My dear brothers and sisters, the beautiful meeting in the Gospel, this Sunday, takes us back to the wellspring of our own Christian faith, namely the font where we received the gift of God and participation in his very own life. This is profound mystery of grace, which Jesus is offering us. So we must do all we can to deepen our awareness of the Spirit “given to us to drink”, and so filled with his love to ask Him to give us what we need and also, what we need to give Him, or indeed what we must leave behind, so as to live more fully our Christian calling with conviction and coherence, and then, like the Samaritan woman, bear witness among friends and neighbours to that hope, which does not deceive. May God bless us all on our Lenten path of prayer, conversion and service. Fr David +

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.

New Tax Year Weekly Offertory Envelopes. The 2026/27 envelopes are available at the back of church. They start from the first Sunday in the new tax year which will be Sunday 12th April. If you use envelopes, please help by collecting yours as soon as possible. Thank you.

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.

First Holy Communion Group Events: 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, then on Tuesday 17th March at 6:30 pm here in church, there will be 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 11th March 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. This week we welcome the return of Bernice Meredith to lead us in a few games of Bingo (chocolate not cash for prizes). All welcome.

The next meeting of the Bereavement and Loss Group will also take place on Wednesday 11th March from 1.15 pm to 2.45 pm All welcome for tea/coffee and a chat.

Lead, Kindly Light – The Journey in Faith group will meet again on Wednesday 11^th of March at 7 p.m., when the group will consider, with Natalie’s help, our calling to live as beloved children of God.

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

The Chester Theological Society (CTS) is 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.

Philip Chidell’s Mother’s Day Concert on Sunday 15^th March at 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm at Chester Town Hall see www.PhilipChidell.com or call at the Visitor Centre by the Town Hall itself.

Annual Reader’s Review on Wednesday 18^th March 3:00 pm or 7:30 pm. A reminder to all readers that although the training sessions are not mandatory, all readers are encouraged to attend one of the sessions.

Dementia / Carer’s Prayer Group: 10.45 am Thursday 19^th March. In the parish meeting room. Please bring a prayer, a poem or a piece of prose to share. All very welcome.

A reminder that on Saturday 21^st March, at 2 p.m., we will celebrate Healing and Hope in a special service in church, during which the sacraments of reconciliation and anointing of the sick will be offered to those who wish to receive them. All are welcome and refreshments will be served by members of the SVP at the end.

Holy Week Liturgies: do please sign-up sheet for at the back of Church for readers, ministers, welcomers etc. thank you in advance for your generosity and support, for lending a hand or offering a foot…

“Come and Sing Messiah” April 18^th, All Saints Church, Hoole, Chester, CH2 3HZ. Registration 10:00 am, Rehearsals 11:30 am. Performance at 7:00 pm. See https://www.deogratiaschoir.com/blank-5 for details

Refugee Assist is an Ellesmere Port based charity created to support all refugees arriving in the UK. They need the following items: Men’s jackets, T-shirts (sizes m &l), jeans, joggers, socks and trainers sizes 7 8 9 10 11. They also need backpacks that will take an A4 folder, new pillows, blankets, pans, tents, sleeping bags and suitcases. Please contact a member of the SVP for further information.

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 Mike Hague for this photo of the ruins of Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island, Northumberland.