Newsletter 19th January 2024
Dear Friends I want to commend to you the Retreat in Daily Life course that will run from Sunday Feb 25th through to Saturday March 2nd, jointly hosted by St George’s and St Thomas’s, Hanwood. If I describe something of the debate that we have had in deciding what to call it, this may give you a greater understanding of what we are hoping to do. It is sometimes called “A week of accompanied prayer”, but that suggests that someone is going to listen in while you pray; at other times “A week of guided prayer” but that possibly suggests that someone will tell you what you must and must not do when you pray. Even the word “course” is misleading because it suggests a programme of input. Instead, we have four or five spiritual accompaniers (Carolyn Chadwick is one of them) licensed by Hereford Diocese to encourage people in their prayer lives. Participants will spend half an hour a day through the course of the week (at a mutually convenient time) confidentially talking through their prayer lives. Bible passages may be suggested or a particular way of praying so that in the next session, any experiences can be shared. There is no minimum requirement to take part. It doesn’t matter how often, how long or how well you pray, only that you want to experience more of the joy that comes when we enter more deeply into the presence of God.
I pray that many will be led to take up this wonderful opportunity. As Doctor Pepper says: what’s the worst that could happen?
Congratulations To Fran Brealey who has been appointed Bishop’s Adviser on Women’s Ministry. She will take on this responsibility outside her normal working hours
Minsterley Services My apologies that communications about services in Minsterley has been confusing and contradictory. Some of it has been out of my control, but other elements are down to me, for which I am sorry. To clarify, the service on Sunday is jointly shared with Minsterley Methodists which they are hosting at 10 a.m. Every third Sunday will be a joint service with them, alternating venues and start times, and will continue to be referred to as Minsterley Praise. The proposed tea-time service on the fourth Sunday will now start in March. January 28th therefore will be Holy Communion at 10.30 and February 25th a Group Service at St George’s.
Repair Shop The bimonthly Repair Shop hosted by St George’s will take place on Sat 20th Jan from 10-12. The Repair Shop is happy to try and help with fabric repair, broken toys, clocks, etc. Payment is by donation.
Youth Worker Interviews We will be interviewing (for the third time!) for Youth Worker post at St George’s next Thursday. Please pray for the right outcome.
Year of Faith Many thanks to the St George’s team who offered magnificent hospitality to the Year of Faith launch last Saturday. There was an excellent turnout with people coming from far afield. The next event is on Saturday Feb 10th at St Laurence’s Ludlow from 9.30-1 p.m. The ticketing system allows the organisers to plan accordingly, but no one was turned away on Saturday even if they hadn’t booked.
Spring Harvest Final payments for Spring Harvest are due on the 22nd of this month. Please speak to Greg if you are unsure how much you owe. It’s not too late to join us. Do speak to one of the party who are attending the first week of April.
Refuge Sarah Edwards is walking 58 miles through the month of February to raise money for Refuge, a charity that supports survivors of abuse. If you would like to sponsor her, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/sarah-edwards-1704661914953?utm_source=IG
The Bible Course Continues on Monday, with the second gathering. If you want to catch up on what you missed, a link to the video from the introductory session can be sent you. Richard has this. Allen and Margaret Marsden have kindly agreed to host at 3 Earls Court, Pontesbury, SY5 0QP. at 7 p.m. Missing the first session is no bar to joining this very enjoyable and informative course.
Palm Sunday Lent will soon be upon us and thoughts turn to the Palm Sunday Passion Drama, which will be enacted at St George’s at 10.30 a.m. on Sunday March 24th. If you are interested in contributing to this in any way (acting/stage management/music/narration/directing/technical) please speak to Greg at your earliest convenience.
New Pattern of Services Please see the amended pattern for Jan/Feb:
Pontesbury Minsterley Habberley
1t Sunday All-age Worship at 10.30 Holy Communion at 10.30 Evensong at 5 p.m.
2nd Sunday Morning Prayer at 10.30 Holy Communion at 10.30
3rd Sunday Holy Communion at 10.30 Minsterley Praise at 10/10.30 H C at 5 p.m.
4th Sunday Holy Communion at 10.30 Holy Communion at 10.30
Calendar for the Week
Fri 19th
Coffee at St George’s 10-12
Sat 20th
Repair Shop at St George’s 10-12
Sun 21st
Morning Prayer at Shelve at 9 a.m.
Minsterley Praise at 10 a.m. at Methodist Chapel
Holy Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Habberley at 5 p.m.
Mon 22nd
Minsterley Youth Café at 3.30 p.m.
Bible Course at 7 p.m. at 3 Earls Court
Tues 23rd
Foodbank at HTM 10-12
Little Dragons at St George’s 10-11.30 a.m.
Oasis at Methodist Minsterley Chapel 12-1.30 p.m.
Weds 24th
Coffee Hub at HTM 10-12
Pontesbury Youth Café planning at 3.20 p.m.
Rea Valley Prayer at 7 p.m. at Hove-to
Thurs 25th
Foodbank at St George’s from 10-12
Trinity Tots at HTM 10 a.m.
Youth Worker interviews
Minsterley PCC at 6.30 p.m.
Sun 28th
Morning Prayer at Hope at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley & Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Plough Service at St George’s 7 p.m. This is a service where we pray for our farming community and a blessing upon their work in the coming year.
