March Newsletter

Newsletter March 2026

Dear Friends,

As Christians we are continually learning to trust Jesus and to place our lives in his hands, knowing that he will be with us in all circumstances. Earlier this year we reflected on the question Jesus asked his first disciples: what are you looking for? (John 1:38) It is also a good question for us to ponder in the middle of the season of Lent. What are we looking for in our relationship with God? Jesus wants us to live our lives to the full. Walking with Jesus informs our choices and helps us to be our best selves. Our priorities change as we grow spiritually. Jesus calls his followers to share the good news of his life giving and life transforming love. The best way to do this is in and through our daily lives because we can all be a good example of how Jesus makes a difference in our lives and how he has transformed us.

God Bless,

Clare

Revd Clare Coates

Team Rector of the Lordsbridge Team

Lead Minister for Hardwick, Dry Drayton and Caldecote with Childerley
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org
07818 618795

Caldecote Church – The little church with a big vision

Services in March 2026

Sunday 1 March

11am Holy Communion with Revd Clare.

Sunday 8 March

There is no service in the Church but all most welcome to join us in Hardwick (Morning Worship with Ali Marcus and Kate Riley) or Dry Drayton (Holy Communion with Revd Clare) at 9:30am

Sunday 15 March Mothering Sunday

3pm Evening Prayer with Revd Clare.

Sunday 22 March

There is no service in the Church but all most welcome to join us in Hardwick:

9:30am Baptism with Revd Clare (Hallie White)

3-4pm Wild Church

Sunday 29 March Palm Sunday

3pm Evening Prayer with Revd Clare.

Services in April 2026

Thursday 2 April Maundy Thursday HARDWICK

6pm Holy Communion and handwashing with Michaela McNeill and Revd Clare

Friday 3 April Good Friday

3pm Childerley Chapel tbc Reflections at the Cross with Revd Clare. Messiah Sermon series.

An hour at the Cross with Revd Clare. Messiah Sermon series.

Sunday 5 April Easter Day

11am Holy Communion with Revd Clare.

Caldecote Women’s Prayer group Thursday mornings in term time at 9am on Zoom Women from Caldecote and surrounding villages are warmly invited to join us online, gathering in spirit to pray, reflect and lift one another up through prayers. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88137270141?pwd=pCvjk7eQrFqYX8GrvRP6JmMZKI9bYK.1

Meeting ID: 881 3727 0141
Passcode: 655934

News

Team Rector Announcement

We are delighted to announce that Revd Clare Coates, Team Vicar, has been appointed as the new Team Rector of the Lordsbridge Team. As well as her parish responsibilities, Clare will have oversight of ministry across the Team.

Invitation to the institution and induction service of the new Team Rector

The Churchwardens and Parochial Church Councils of The Lordsbridge Team

Barton, Caldecote with Childerley, Coton, Comberton, Dry

Drayton, Great Eversden, Little Eversden, Hardwick,

Haslingfield, Harlton, and Toft

have great pleasure in inviting

Our Parishioners, and all other friends of the Team

to the Institution of

The Revd. Clare Gye Coates

as Team Rector of the Lordsbridge Team Benefice

by the Rt Revd Dr Dagmar Winter, Bishop Suffragan of Huntingdon

and the Induction by the Venerable Dr Alex Hughes, Archdeacon of Cambridge

In All Saints’ Church, Church Way, Haslingfield

on 19th March 2026 at 7 pm

A Reception will follow after in the Church

RSVP by 12th March to thelordsbridgeteam@gmail.com

Clergy are invited to robe – Please indicate on your acceptance if robing.

There is limited disabled parking at the Church, parking is available in the surrounding streets, please be considerate of our neighbours.

Postcode of the Church: CB23 1JF

Installation Choir Invitation

Sarah Rittman is organising a choir for the installation of our new Team Rector, Revd Clare Coates, at All Saints’ Haslingfield at 7pm on Thursday 19th March. The choir will be singing Rutter’s Gaelic Blessing as well as the hymns. There will be a rehearsal beforehand and at another time TBC as soon as possible!

Please let Sarah know asap if you would like to sing! Rehearsal times tbc as soon as possible!

Contact: sarahrittman.allsaints@gmail.com

Team Vicar Recruitment update

The new Team Vicar post for Comberton and Toft will be half-time, based in Comberton, and Lead Minister for Comberton and Toft. We are currently finalising the parish profile and advert and hope to get the recruitment process underway shortly.

Team Administrator update

Due to health concerns, our Team Administrator, Emily, will be stepping down at the end of March. We are looking for a new Team Administrator and will be advertising the post shortly. If you are interested in the Administrator Role, please contact:

thelordsbridgeteam@gmail.com

for more information.

SAVE THE DATE!

Sunday April 26th Open Gardens at Childerley Hall with proceeds from refreshments in aid of the Church. More details to follow!

HARDWICK

Tuesday Toddlers in the Cabin, every Tuesday in term time 10-11:30am.

All welcome to join us for free play, craft, story and fun!

Useful contacts

Church Warden, Stephen Coatescaldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com

Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org

Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974

Team Administrator:Mrs Emily Griffiths: thelordsbridgeteam@gmail.com

Lordsbridge Team Instagram: @lordsbridge_team

Lordsbridge Team Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LordsbridgeTeam

February Newsletter

Newsletter February 2026

Dear Friends,

It’s wonderful to see spring flowers emerging already in our beautiful churchyard – the snowdrops started emerging at the end of December and despite the snow last month, they are now emerging in their full beauty! This month sees the start of the season of Lent: the six weeks before Easter when Christians are called to spend time reflecting and praying. It’s a season when we intentionally seek to grow spiritually; a time to stop, think, slow down and wait on God, refocusing on Him. Each Lent God calls us to return to Him. To know, receive and be comforted by His goodness and mercy. Lent is not really about what we give up, but where our hearts are directed. Maybe this Lent you will try something new instead? Something you have always wanted to do? This season of self examination and reflection can give us hope and a renewed sense of being, because through life’s many ups and downs, God promises always to be with us.

God Bless,

Clare

Revd Clare Coates,

Lead Minister for Hardwick, Dry Drayton and Caldecote with Childerley
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org
07818 618795

Caldecote Church – The little church with a big vision

Sunday 1 February

11am Holy Communion with Revd Clare

Sunday 8 February

11am Morning Prayer with Stephen Coates and Revd Clare

Sunday 15 February

3pm Evening Prayer with Revd Clare

Wednesday 18 February Ash Wednesday at St Peter and St Paul’s Dry Drayton

12noon Holy Communion and Ashing service with Canon Sue and Revd Clare preaching: Lent Messiah Sermon Series

Sunday 22 February

There is no service in the church but you are welcome to join us in

HARDWICK

9:30am Baptism with Revd Clare and Sunday Club

3-4pm Wild Church at the Cabin. An outdoor family service suitable for children of all ages, to engage playfully, actively and creatively with God’s Natural World.

Zoom

Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service

Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am.

https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.

On Sundays where there is no service in our church, you are most welcome to join us at any of our services across the Team.

Caldecote Women’s Prayer group Thursday mornings in term time at 9am on Zoom Women from Caldecote and surrounding villages are warmly invited to join us online, gathering in spirit to pray, reflect and lift one another up through prayers. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88137270141?pwd=pCvjk7eQrFqYX8GrvRP6JmMZKI9bYK.1

Meeting ID: 881 3727 0141
Passcode: 655934

HARDWICK

Tuesday Toddlers in the Cabin, every Tuesday in term time 10-11:30am. Please note, no Toddlers on February 3rd.

All welcome to join us for free play, craft, story and fun!

Useful contacts

Church Warden, Stephen Coatescaldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com

Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org

Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974

Team Administrator:Mrs Emily Griffiths: thelordsbridgeteam@gmail.com

Lordsbridge Team Instagram: @lordsbridge_team

Lordsbridge Team Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LordsbridgeTeam

December Newsletter

Newsletter December 2025

Dear Friends,

Every year Christmas gives us a great sense of fresh hope and wonder. Jesus’s birth transformed the world: it changed lives and continues to change us. Jesus was born in the humblest and most unlikely circumstances, in a stable surrounded by animals. Jesus is the living hope that God is with us, through thick and thin. Jesus is the Christmas gift of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness. Jesus is the light of the world, shining through the darkest darkness, and keeping alive that flicker of hope and joy which can never be extinguished. The Christmas story reminds us that even if we are afraid, we too can experience a renewed sense of hope and joy. So let’s celebrate the wonderful news together!

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year.

God Bless,

Clare

Revd Clare Coates,

Lead Minister for Hardwick, Dry Drayton and Caldecote with Childerley
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org
07818 618795

Caldecote Church – The little church with a big vision

Sunday 7 December

11am Holy Communion with Revd Clare

Sunday 14 December

3pm a traditional service of Carols and Lessons in the Long Barn at Childerley Hall, with seasonal refreshments after the service. Childerley Gardens will be open from 2pm with the Carol service starting at 3pm. All welcome. 

Sunday 21 December

No service in Church – you are most welcome to join us in DRY DRAYTON at 11am for Morning Worship at 11am

HARDWICK Monday 22 December

4pm Christingle service followed by tea in the Cabin. Please book at events1@stmaryshardwick.org.uk with your dietary requirements.

Christmas Eve No service in Church – you are most welcome to join us in:

DRY DRAYTON 3pm Crib service with Revd Clare. Children are warmly invited to come dressed up as their favourite Christmas story character, and we will have a dressing up box available too!

HARDWICK 11pm Midnight Mass with Revd Clare.

Christmas Day

11am Holy Communion with Revd Clare in the Chapel at Childerley Hall

Zoom

Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service

Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am.

https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.

On Sundays where there is no service in our church, you are most welcome to join us at any of our services across the Team.

What’s On:

HARDWICK Christmas Tree Festival 13 and 14 December 3-5pm in the church with refreshments available both afternoons; donations gratefully received. There will be a Christmas Concert with carols on Sunday 14 December 5-6pm with the Eversden Brass Band. Proceeds in aid of St Mary’s Fabric fund and Jimmy’s Night Shelter.

Caldecote Women’s Prayer group Thursday mornings in term time at 9am on Zoom Women from Caldecote and surrounding villages are warmly invited to join us online, gathering in spirit to pray, reflect and lift one another up through prayers. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88137270141?pwd=pCvjk7eQrFqYX8GrvRP6JmMZKI9bYK.1

Meeting ID: 881 3727 0141
Passcode: 655934

HARDWICK

Tuesday Toddlers in the Cabin, every Tuesday in term time 10-11:30am

All welcome to join us for free play, craft, story and fun!

DRY DRAYTON

Saturday 6 December at 6pm Christmas Choral concert at St Peter and St Paul’s Dry Drayton by St Catherine’s College Choir. The programme will include choral and organ music from the Renaissance to the 21st Century. Tickets £15 and £5 (students and under 18s) to include wine/juice after the concert. Tickets can be reserved at https://drydraytonxmas.eventbrite.co.uk payment on the door.

Useful contacts

Church Warden, Stephen Coatescaldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com

Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org

Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974

Team Administrator:Mrs Emily Griffiths: thelordsbridgeteam@gmail.com

Lordsbridge Team Instagram: @lordsbridge_team

Lordsbridge Team Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LordsbridgeTeam