Newsletter 11th February 2022
Dear friends
Both Minsterley and Pontesbury churches have been talking about values this week, answering the question what kind of church do we want to be? With some encouragement from me, both churches came up with the following answer:
We will seek to Love one another (Col 3.14), recognizing that we may hurt each other but must continue to love no matter what.
We will seek to put those outside the church first. The needs of others trump those of our own (Luke 2.32)
We will seek to engage every member of the church in ministry (1 Cor 12.27)
These values are aspirational, but we must continually strive to make them a reality. Each of us has an equal part to play in this.
Richard Lonsdale
Many thanks to all those who attended the Group Service at Minsterley on Sunday and the lunch thereafter. Richard, Claire, Moray and Olivia tell me they had a great weekend and so much enjoyed meeting everyone. They are very much looking forward to joining us full-time in June. Do continue to pray for them as they prepare to move.
Greg Forster
The group service also gave us opportunity to say farewell and thanks to Greg Forster who has ministered faithfully among us over the last two years, offering much-valued support. We presented Greg with a book token to facilitate his ongoing reading and writing and prayed God’s blessing on him and his wife, Sue. They will be missed.
Lent
Please note there will be a full programme over Lent. There will be an ashing service on Ash Wednesday at both Minsterley and Pontesbury on March 2nd at 6.30 p.m.
Lent lunches will run at St George’s on Wednesdays from 12-1 starting on March 2nd and in the Stiperstones benefice at different venues on Fridays at the same time.
A Lent Group will run at the Deanery on Monday evenings, starting on March 7th at 7.30. We will be using the Stephen Cotterell booklet the Nail to explore the Passion. Anyone is welcome to join us. If you want to purchase the book in advance, please contact Greg who can give you further details
Confirmation
Anyone who thinks they might be interested in being confirmed should speak to Greg
Face masks
The legal requirement to wear face masks in public worship is now lifted. It is therefore optional to wear a mask in any of our churches. However, we would ask you to be mindful that many in our congregations remain vulnerable and be sensitive to this.
Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, at St George’s, we will be dramatizing the passion story and therefore are looking for a cast of thousands (well twenty anyway). Most parts are only one line. We will also need two narrators who will have scripts as well as technical people, stage managers and costume designers. If you are willing to help on April 10th, please speak to Greg. Please note, there will be the liturgy of the palms at Minsterley, led by the Stiperstones Brass Band.
Tea Service
The Tea Service that takes place at St George’s on the first Tuesday of the month at 2.30 is designed for the whole group, aimed at people who find getting to church on Sunday mornings difficult. At present, we are only attracting residents from Pontesbury parish and would like others to join us. If you know of anyone who might like to join us on March 1st or even more helpfully would be willing to pick someone up and bring them, please let Greg know.
The Messiah
Shropshire Charity Concerts will perform Messiah in Shrewsbury Abbey on Saturday February 26 at 19:30. Doors open 18:45, and seats are unreserved. Tickets cost £15 (including programme), and the money goes to local charities. Tickets available from the Abbey (01743 232723) The office is staffed 10-12:30 on weekdays.
Friday Prayer
There is a prayer gathering on Friday mornings at Holy Trinity Minsterley from 9-10 a.m. All are welcome to attend. Further details available from Ruth Wadsworth at ruth.wadsworth1@gmail.com
Pontesbury Youth Hub
We are looking to launch a Pontesbury Youth Hub, a forum to plan and deliver youth work in Pontesbury, bringing in all the churches in the area and working alongside Shrewsbury Youth for Christ. To this end, there is an open meeting at Pontesbury Baptist Church this Sat Feb 12th at 10 a.m. It would be good to see plenty of our people there. Hannah Moore, the Director of Shrewsbury Youth for Christ will be speaking at St George’s on the Sunday morning.
Calendar for the Week
Fri 11th Prayer at HTM 9-10 a.m.
Coffee morning at St George’s 10-12
Choir Practices
Sat 12th Pontesbury Youth Hub at 10 a.m. at Pontesbury Baptist Church
Bingo and Bangers at St George’s at 7 p.m.
Sun 13th Holy Communion at Pontesbury & Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Evensong at Habberley at 5 p.m.
Mon 14th Youth Café at 3.30 at HTM
Tues 15th Bereavement Group planning meeting at 12 at Minsterley Methodist Chapel
Eco-ctte at HTM at 2 p.m.
Growing Leaders session 2 at St George’s at 7.30 p.m.
Weds 16th Habberley PCC at 11 a.m. at St Mary’s
Thurs 17th St George’s Safeguarding at 10 a.m.
Joint PCCs for Hope/Shelve at 2 p.m. at Hope Village Hall
Sun 20th Holy Communion at Hope & Shelve at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at St George’s at 10.30 a.m.
Morning Worship at HTM at 10.30 a.m.
Healing Service at St George’s at 6 p.m.
