Newsletter 20th May 2022

Dear friends

At a meeting with stonemasons this week, one of them (much younger than me) expressed great surprise that reverends (as he called clergy) actually used email! Having been using email since the mid-90s and now getting through 30-40 a day, my surprise that he thought of clergy as quite that technophobic equalled his. I confess, I have only very rarely come across Vicars who don’t do email (some of them even know how to use a mobile phone!) And then, the following day, a funeral director (again much younger than me) wondered whether I was going to walk from Minsterley Church to Minsterley Cemetery and looked shocked when I said I would, enquiring whether I was sure. For a moment, I wondered whether I had misunderstood which cemetery we were walking to, but no it was the one 400 metres away that I managed to get to, without a sit down along the way. I have discovered if you want to upset someone celebrating a big birthday, all you need to say is: “you don’t look 80, but I’m sure you did once.” (Don’t try saying that unless you enjoy hospital food). Age may be a number or an attitude, but it is also undervalued. There is no cut off point for learning or trying new things. And there are even those who have come to faith in their 90s.

Richard Lonsdale

It is just six weeks until Richard is ordained at Hereford Cathedral on July 3rd. 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.

Christian Aid

Many thanks to Susan Bates for all her work in coordinating Christian collections and other events this week.

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.

St George’s Explorers

The second gathering of St George’s Explorers will take place on Tues May 31st at 2 p.m. in St George’s Churchyard.

Celtic Service

St George’s will be hosting a special 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

Ascension

There will be an Ascension Day service at St George’s on Thursday May 26th at 7 p.m. All welcome.


Repair Shop

St George’s will be hosting a repair shop on Saturday July 9th from 10-2 p.m. If anyone has any repair skills to offer (clothes, machinery, electronics etc.) please contact Greg who will pass on your details to the Pontesbury Climate Change Group who are organising this event.

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.

Sidespersons

We are holding a thank you evening for our Sidespersons on Monday May 30th at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity, Minsterley. All sidespersons in the group are warmly invited. This is also an opportunity for anyone who would like to find out more about this role to come along.

Messy Church

There is a Messy Church planning meeting on Thursday 26th May at HTM at 2 p.m. If you are interested in helping this new venture in Minsterley which launches on June 9th, please do go along.

Spring Harvest

When I met with Richard (our new curate) last week over in Cambridge, he described how much his children had enjoyed Spring Harvest this Easter. It reminded me how much Fran and I have enjoyed attending Spring Harvest over the years (probably 30 years since we first attended). We want therefore to investigate whether there is any mileage in taking a party from Pontesbury & Stiperstones next Easter, April 10-14 in Minehead. 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. We need two more to make our attendance as a group viable.

Calendar for the Week

Fri May 20th Prayer at HTM 9-10 a.m.

Coffee morning at St George’s 10-12

Choir Practices

Sun 22nd Holy Communion at Pontesbury, Minsterley & Habberley at 10.30 a.m.

Pontesbury Open Gardens from 12.30-4

Mon 23rd Youth Café at HTM at 3.30 p.m.

Growing Leaders Session 6 at St George’s at 7.30 p.m.

Tues 24th Little Dragons at 10 a.m.

Oasis at 12 noon at Minsterley Methodist Chapel

Alpha week 4 at 7 p.m. at the Deanery

Weds 25th Café at HTM 10-12

Thurs 26th Messy Church planning meeting at 2 p.m. at HTM

Café Review at the Deanery at 6.30 p.m.

Ascension Day service at St George’s at 7 p.m.

Minsterley Standing Ctte at the Deanery at 7.30 p.m.

Sat 28th Open Garden at The Gables

Sun 29th Holy Communion at Shelve at 9 a.m.

Family Service at St George’s at 10.30

Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30






Safeguarding

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

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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.

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