Newsletter 10th November 2023
Dear Friends
We had our 1st Sunday of the month service at St George’s last week. We are trialling a new format for 6 months which is seeking to be adaptable for ALL tastes – do come and check it out, the next one is on the 3rd December at 10:30am. (If you have feedback, good or bad, then let me know!)
Anyway as part of the service we are exploring Exodus and I was really struck by a thought I came across which related to Moses murdering the Egyptian slavemaster. You see Moses grows up and in time starts to align himself with his true people, the Hebrews. God’s calling is upon him, but as yet he has not been “authorised” or “ordained”. He isn’t given authority until after he has to escape, lose his royal airs and graces’, and finally meet with God in the story of the burning bush. The Exodus is a story of 2 tyrannies and 2 liberations – the tyrannies being external (Egypt) and internal (Sin) and the liberations likewise being external (the Exodus) and internal (The Law given at Sinai).
How often do we try to take on tyrants that have control over us, whether they are emotional, spiritual or physical, before we have been given God’s authority to deal with them? We recognise God’s calling to deal with these tyrants, but we then have a go at them in our own strength before seeking God’s authority, and as a result so often get beaten up, discouraged and then give up. What if we looked at the story of Moses as a story for us – how do we seek and find God’s authority? Moses spent some 40 years in Midian working as a shepherd (cf Acts 7:29-31), Jesus went into the desert for 40 days/nights (cf Matt 4:1-11), Paul went into Arabia (cf Gal 1:17)…. What do you think God is saying to you? And before you think you are too old to deal with such matters, note that Moses was 80 before he was ready to take on Pharaoh as God’s representative!
Blessings for the weekend ahead Rich.
Carolyn & John Chadwick John and Carolyn’s new address is: 80 Chesil Street, Winchester, SO23 0HX
Remembrance Sunday Please note the starting time for Remembrance Day services is 10.45 at Minsterley (and not 10.15 as advertised last week. The service at Pontesbury does start at 10.15.
Scams A reminder not to be taken in by requests from the Vicar to part with money. Email scams get ever more sophisticated. Always double check before giving away sensitive information like dates of birth or bank details.
Emma Stevenson As mentioned last week, Emma Stevenson is the new administrator for Pontesbury and Minsterley. She will work Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and will be available via the same email address used by Krys at officepontstip@gmail.com. We are grateful to Krys and Alison Bebb for ensuring a smooth handover.
Bingo, Bangers & Mash Thanks to all those who supported Bingo, Bangers & Mash last Saturday. Everyone had a good time and £300 was raised for church funds.
Crib Service The 2023 Crib Service to be hosted by St George’s at 2 p.m. on Sat Dec 23rd and HTM at 3.30 p.m. We are looking for cast members. If interested in helping, please speak to Greg.
Confirmation There will be a Confirmation Service at St George’s on Sunday January 7th. If anyone would like to join the four candidates in being confirmed, please speak to Greg, Fran or Richard as soon as possible.
Photoboard St George’s has introduced a photoboard. This is a display for all members to post their own photos (preferably fully clad) of themselves. The intention is that it should make us more welcoming as a church, but also help people to identify each other. No one needs any further permission to post a suitable photo.
Wellbeing Bus The Wellbeing Bus returns to Pontesbury on Monday November 13th from 10-12 and will be parked outside the Pavilion. Free mental health support and advice. Anyone is welcome to pop in for a brew and a chat.
Advent Course A four-part Advent Course exploring the Lord’s Prayer will take place at The Deanery on Thursday afternoons at 1.30 p.m., commencing Nov 30th. The course produced by 24-7 Prayer entails watching a short video presentation and then discussion around such topics as Petition, Adoration, and unanswered prayers. All welcome. Please speak to Greg or Fran Brealey for further information.
Children’s Church It’s still not too late to volunteer for the new Children’s Church team at St George’s. We launch on November 19th. Please speak to Greg or Alison Holmes about this.
Robert Currie Robert’s talk on his trip to Japan has been rescheduled for Friday November 24th at Habberley Village Hall.
Toy sale Holy Trinity Minsterley is having a toy stall at their Christmas Fayre. Anyone with good condition, second-hand toys to donate should contact Sarah Edwards at sarahedwards90@hotmail.com
Barbara Norsworthy St George’s is delighted to announce the appointment of Barbara Norsworthy as its new Choir Mistress with effect from 1st January. She will continue with her responsibility for the Benefice Choir, but will step down as Choir Mistress at Holy Trinity Minsterley. We are grateful for the many years of hard work she has put into this role.
Calendar for the Week
Fri 10th
Coffee at St George’s 10-12
Sat 11th
Repair Shop at St George’s 10-12
Remembrance Service at Hope at 11 a.m.
Baptism of Wilfred Hamer at 1.30 p.m.
Sun 12th
Remembrance Sunday Services
Hope 9 a.m.
Pontesbury at 10.15 a.m.
Habberley at 10.30 a.m.
Minsterley at 10.45 a.m.
Snailbeach 3 p.m.
Mon 13th
Wellbeing Bus at the Pavilion 10-2 p.m.
Youth Café at HTM at 3.30 p.m.
Tues 14th
Foodbank at HTM 10-12
Children’s Church meeting at 7 p.m. in WER
Weds 15th
Café at HTM 10-12
St George’s Communications Meeting at 10.30 a.m.
Pontesbury Youth Café at 3.20 p.m.
Thurs 16th
Foodbank at Pontesbury 10-12
Messy Church at Minsterley Parish Hall at 3.30 p.m.
Deanery Synod at 7 p.m. via zoom
Sun 19th
Morning Prayer at Hope at 9 a.m.
Morning Praise at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
