Newsletter 17th June 2022

My favourite pastime is visiting garden centres and this week I managed two. Melbicks in Birmingham with my aunt – the café serves very good food and she loves wandering about the store.

The garden centre I enjoy most is Derwen, Welshpool and Les and I visited on Thursday. They’ve finally dropped their Covid one way system and as we walked in the main entrance I was suddenly struck by colour. So many beautiful plants and flowers, varying in colour from the subtle green to vibrant pinks and oranges.

What came to mind as I stood there absorbing this beautiful sight was the hymn

“All things bright and beautiful”. Those who know me well, know that it’s my least favourite hymn but today the words resounded in my head – “ the Lord God made them all”. In our world that is increasingly threatened by the changes in our climate, it was special to just stop and reflect on the beauty of God’s creation. Each one of those flowers “bright and beautiful” giving so much pleasure. A quick prayer of thanks for all the good things we are given by God and then off to the café for coffee and cake. What more could I ask for?

Blessings, Pam

In Lieu of Greg – from Val:

I have been struck this week by the goodness of people in our part of the world. In the midst of all the World’s problems, it is evident that here, amongst our people, there is so much kindness, love and support for others. At times, when problems seem to be unsurmountable, there is almost always someone in this small part of God’s world, who will lend a hand, say a kind word, provide the strength that we need in our time of need. We are blessed.

I have included some of Greg’s news from last week in case you haven’t booked them down.

Greg’s Notes:

Friends We are trying to establish a Friends of St George’s Churchyard group, a group made up of church and community members to look after the churchyard. If you think you might be interested in this, please let Greg or Stephen Winwood know.

Richard Lonsdale Richard, Claire, Moray, and Liv move into Minsterley on Friday. Please remember that Richard isn’t working until after his ordination. However, I am sure the family will appreciate messages of welcome to the area. He is ordained at Hereford Cathedral on July 3rd. While it’s a long way to expect anyone to come, everyone is welcome at the Cathedral and a few friendly faces will make all the difference. If anyone is planning to go and has a spare seat in the car, please let us know. The following Sunday, July 10th, we will host usual second Sunday services, but at 12.30, there will be a shared lunch at St George’s to which the whole family is warmly invited. Fran will be coordinating the catering, so please speak to her if you are able to help. You should find a list at the back of your church to sign up for attendance so that we have a reasonably reliable guest list.

Offertory We have now restored the practice of taking up a collection during the service. By doing so, we remind ourselves that our financial gifts are not given in order to keep the church going, but as a response to God’s generosity to us. Tokens will be available for anyone who donates directly through their bank account, to be collected on entrance and then placed on the plate during the collection.

Baptism Team We are seeking to establish a Baptism Team for our group to help

welcome and support the many families that are coming forward seeking Christenings for their children. To this end, we have scheduled a “find out more” evening on Monday 27th June at 8 p.m. at St George’s. Just come along or speak to Greg if you want further information.

Celtic Service St George’s will be hosting a Midsummer Celtic Service at 7.30 p.m. on Weds June 22nd. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore a different, gentle form of spirituality that might appeal to friends and neighbours who don’t regularly come to church. Further information from Sue Townsend at atxst3@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk

Hope/Shelve From this Sunday onwards, there will be a change in the pattern of services offered at Hope and Shelve. There will be a service at Shelve on first and third Sundays at 9 a.m. and at Hope on second and fourth Sundays of the month, also at 9 a.m. Some of these services will be communion, led by Pam or Greg and some will be Morning Prayer, led by Richard.

Food Safety Training Chris Kinnersley has kindly offered to provide food safety training for anyone who wants it. We have a couple of takers, but to make it viable we need a couple more. Please contact her directly at christinekinnersley16@gmail.com to find out more.

Healing Service The next group healing service takes place on Sunday, June 19th, at St George’s at 6 p.m. All welcome.

Spring Harvest We now have a viable group to take a party from Pontesbury & Stiperstones to Spring Harvest next Easter, April 10-14 in Minehead. We will be booking this in the next few weeks. Costs are £185 and up per person (with discounts for children) depending on the type of accommodation. The event provides worship, teaching and fellowship for all ages and has been a joyous and upbuilding time for every church I have attended. If you want to know more, speak to Greg or Fran.

Sponsored Walk A sponsored walk along the Shropshire Way from Church Stretton to Stokesay (approximately 15 miles) is planned for Saturday Sept 24th. As last year, half the monies will go to the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust and half to our own churches. Let Greg know if you are interested in walking that day and it would be good to have a couple of drivers to staff a support crew.

Calendar for the Week

Fri June 17th Choir Practices

Sun 19th Holy Communion at Shelve at 9 a.m.

Morning Praise at Minsterley at 10.30am

Holy Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.

Healing Service at St George’s at 6 p.m.

Mon 20th Youth Café at HTM at 3.30 p.m.

Tues 21st Little Dragons 10-11.30 at St George’s

Alpha – 7 p.m. at The Deanery

Wed 22nd Café at HTM 10-12

Celtic Service 7.30pm at St. George’s

Thurs 23rd Trinity Tots

Sun 26h Holy Communion at Hope at 9 a.m.

Holy Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.

Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.

Holy Communion at Habberley at 10.30 a.m.



Safeguarding

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

Local Links

Please follow & like us :)

Facebook

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.

Close Menu