Newsletter 1st July 2022
Dear friends
When I have a spare half an hour (usually when Fran is watching a cooking programme – is there any end to them?) I like to research my family tree. I know having a name like Smith isn’t the best place to start! I was moved the other evening when researching my maternal great-grandmother’s family (a large one) to discover that in 1863, the family lost three children all under the age of four. One boy who was a similar age to the three who died was evidently shipped out and didn’t rejoin the family but grew up elsewhere. My great-grandmother escaped all this, not being born until 1865. Although I did 19th century British history at A level, we covered politics (statesmen, war and acts of parliament) not social history. Therefore, I am guessing when I assume there was a merciless outbreak of disease (Typhus, polio, who knows?) which swept away these little ones. The terrible prevalence of death in those days shocks us now, but I wonder whether ordinary people coped much better than we do today, with closed coffins and talk of people passing. For all of us, this isn’t healthy, but for Christians especially it seems folly when we have such great hope of what lies beyond death. Thanks be to God.
Treasurers
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Fergusson as the new Treasurer of St George’s, effective as of today. Peter can be contacted at treassgp@gmail.com We remain extremely grateful to Gerald Worrall for his many years of loyal service in the post. Gerald will ensure there is a full handover and will continue to pay bills etc. until Peter has access to the bank account. We continue to look as a matter of urgency for new treasurers for Minsterley and Hope/Shelve. If you know of anyone, please let Greg know.
House for Duty
Sadly, we had no applicants for the House for Duty position during the second round of advertising. However, we did have one promising enquiry from someone who is having an extended holiday and we remain hopeful that that person may be persuaded to apply on their return.
Ukraine Concert
There is a concert to support the Stiperstones church conversion for Ukrainian families on Saturday July 2nd at Pontesbury Public Hall at 7.30 p.m.
Archdeacon’s Visitation
Archdeacon Fiona is visiting the Deanery on Monday evening, taking the service at St George’s at 7 p.m. This is the occasion that all our wonderful churchwardens are sworn in. Fiona is wanting to see as many of the regular congregations as are able to make it as she brings words of encouragement to us. It would be also good to show your support and appreciation for our churchwardens who work so hard for us.
Richard Lonsdale
Please pray for Richard as he is ordained at Hereford Cathedral on Sunday morning. 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. Next Sunday, July 10th, we will host the 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. 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. At the back of Minsterley and Pontesbury churches, there are also lists to sign up to help with the catering. We would be very grateful to see more names on this.
Beatles Night
The Beatles night at Hope Village Hall was a great success, raising £626 for Hope and Shelve churches. Thanks to Wynford and Joyce for all their hard work on this.
Repair Shop
St George’s is hosting a Repair Shop on Saturday July 9th from 10-2 p.m. If you are bringing items for repair, please come earlier in the day to give the repairers time to work on your items. Refreshments will be served while you wait.
Hope/Shelve
The proposed merger of Hope and Shelve parishes has now entered its final stage of consultation. If you wish to raise any objections to this plan, there is a notice by the front door of each church detailing how to do this.
Food Safety Training
Congratulations to Clare Withington and Sue Preece on passing their food safety training.
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 at the end of July. Costs are £160 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. It will be possible to book a place later, but the early bird discount will be lost, and you may not be accommodated near others from the church.
Arthur Williams
Anyone who wishes to support Ian & Claire Williams in their loss may want to attend a simple funeral at the crematorium on Thursday at 11.30. There will also be a memorial service at Barnabas on Friday at 12.30
Confirmation
St George’s is hosting a confirmation service on Sunday October 16th at 3 p.m. We have two candidates already wanting to be confirmed. Greg would be very pleased to hear from anyone else who would like to pursue this.
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.
Trelystan Summer Fete
Please find attached a poster advertising Trelystan summer fete on July 23rd.
Calendar for the Week
Fri July 1st Prayer at HTM 9-10 a.m.
Choir Practices
Sat 2nd Weddings of Lara & Will at Habberley and Sarah & Frank at Pontesbury
Sun 3rd Richard’s ordination at Hereford Cathedral at 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Shelve at 9 a.m.
Family Service at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Mon 4th Youth Cafe at HTM at 3.30 p.m.
Archdeacon’s Visitation at 7 p.m. at St George’s
Tues 5th Little Dragons 10-11.30 at St George’s
Tea Service at St George’s at 2.30 p.m.
Ichthus at 2.30 p.m. at The Gables
Alpha week 9 at the Deanery
Weds 6th Cafe at HTM 10-12
Baptism Preparation at 7 p.m. at St George’s
Thurs 7th Trinity Tots 10 – 11.30 at HTM
Fri 8th Funeral of John Lakelin at 2 p.m. at St George’s
Sat 9th Repair Shop at St George’s 10-2 p.m.
Alpha Away Day at Yockleton from 9.45 a.m.
Sun 10th Morning Prayer at Hope at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley & Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Welcome lunch for Richard, Claire, Moray and Olivia
Evensong at Habberley at 5 p.m.
Photo by Chanwit Wanset
