Here for everyone

Dear friends

Many years ago, on our one and only trip to the States, we visited a wild west show in Florida. Half-way through the show, our youngest son became quite inexplicably ill. We left the show and made our way to the nearest emergency room. An hour and $100 later, he was fine. Apparently, he was allergic to horses (probably just as well he didn’t grow up in the Shropshire countryside), and needed no treatment. This is my only experience of a health service that is not free at the point of need: a reminder that what we have here is too easily taken for granted.

I have always thought that the C of E is like the NHS and some other denominations are like those countries that want to see your insurance before letting you in. The Church of England historically works on the basis that everyone is a member, whether they know it or not. For this reason, anyone can be married in their parish church (at least the first time round); anyone can be buried in their parish churchyard, and anyone is entitled to a Christening. Many a time, I have interrupted someone in full flow who is trying to persuade me to bury their loved one because they sang in the choir as a boy or baptise their baby because they were a believer even if they didn’t go to church. I have explained that the C of E is there for all at their time of need – no questions asked!

Tea Service
The monthly Tea Service for those who are unable to worship on Sunday mornings takes place this Tuesday at 2.30 at St George’s. All welcome to this Christmas edition.

Living in Love and Faith
A group of a dozen or so have completed the Living in Love and Faith course offered by the Church of England to help parishes explores issues of sexuality, relationships, marriage and identity. The course was conducted very amicably, and a broad consensus was agreed in which we agreed that we would welcome anyone to join us for worship, while recognizing that we might be a bit nervous about knowing how to react to someone who looked or behaved very differently from us. Clearly, 12 people cannot be entirely representative of six churches. If you take a very different view, please do let Greg know.

Music Night at Habberley

Many thanks to Tin Soldiers and Paul Ricard who provided us with a fabulous evening of entertainment last Friday at St Mary’s Habberley. The church was full and over £400 was made for church funds. Everyone enjoyed Tin Soldiers folk set (see above) as well as St George’s own organist playing Blues, Jazz and telling stories.

Growing Leaders
There are still three places available on the Growing Leaders programme, which begins at the end of January. Please contact Greg if you would like to know more.

Consultation Session
Thanks to those who attended the Consultation Morning with Bishop Richard last Saturday. He was impressed by the warmth of the welcome and by the positive attitudes of people in our Deanery.

Pontesbury School Governor
We are looking to appoint a new Foundation Governor for Pontesbury Primary School. If you would like to know more about what this entails, please speak to June Cribb, who is Vice-Chair or Greg.

Bibles
Ministerley PCC has agreed to provide bibles for the use of all worshippers. If you would like to sponsor one of these, please let Barbara Norsworthy know. The cost of sponsorship is £10 per copy.

Pop up larders
Good Neighbours are offering pop up larders in Pontesbury and Minsterley to ensure those who are struggling to feed themselves or their families over Christmas can get food. We will be collecting for the larders at both Pontesbury and Minsterley churches. Please give generously if you can.

Broadband
Congratulations to Holy Trinity Minsterley and the perseverance of the churchwardens after broadband was successfully installed in the church this week.

Calendar for the Week

Fri 3rd Choristers and musicians social evening at the Deanery at 7 p.m.

Sat 4th Shelve Christmas Fayre 2-4 p.m. at Hope Village Hall

Sun 5th Holy Communion at Hope and Shelve at 9 a.m.

Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30

Morning Worship at Pontesbury at 10.30

Advent Meditation at Minsterley at 5 p.m.

Mon 6th Youth Café at HTM at 3.30

Tues 7th Tea Service at 2.30 at St George’s

Weds 8th Church Café 10-12 at Minsterley

Sun 12th Holy Communion at Minsterley & Pontesbury at 10.30

Evensong at Habberley at 5 p.m.

Safeguarding

The Parish Safeguarding Officer is June Cribb 07947 482066. The Diocesan Officer is Carl Steventon 07598817717

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Eco-church

St George's church supports Eco-church. We have reached the silver award. To find out more, please visit this  link:

About St George's

St George’s Pontesbury, is a Christian Community providing a loving and spiritual environment in which to embrace, explore and experience faith in order to serve our community. We hope you find what you are looking for. Please do contact us for further help, advice or information.

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