Newsletter 21st April
Dear all
I heard Terry Waite speak at Spring Harvest last week. As the person who interviewed him said, “you should never meet your heroes, because they will inevitably disappoint you.” However, this proved to be an exception to this rule. He warmed up the audience by observing that it was the first time he had been to Butlins in 50 years and that after that last stay, he had moved to rather better accommodation in Beirut. He emphasised that he was joking, but it was very moving to hear him able to joke about the most horrendous of experiences (and I’m not talking about Butlins!) Five and a half years in captivity; four and a half years in solitary confinement; and being tortured when the soles of his feet were repeatedly beaten; appear to have left him without permanent wounds. He was later to return to Beirut to meet his captors and extend his hand in forgiveness, as proof of this.
We may think this is beyond us (it seems superhuman) but we can at least start with the little things by choosing not to hold onto grudges and look for the best in people. To see a man who had been so brutally treated relaxed and smiling was a powerful reminder that this is not just the best way for the church, it is the best way for all of us.
Easter
Many thanks to all those who worked so hard to make Holy Week and Easter a poignant and joyous celebration. Minister, musicians, coffee makers, flower people and many others made it a special time for us all.
The Gathering
The Deanery praise service that takes place at Marton Village Hall is on Tuesday 25th at 7.30 p.m. (refreshments served from 7 p.m.) All welcome.
Confirmation
Please pray for Grace Garrett, from Pontesbury, who is being confirmed on the 30th April.
Grow your own
There is a grow your own event at the Pavilion this Saturday from 10-1 p.m. This is free to attend and is designed to encourage Pontesbury people to grow their own vegetables to encourage a more sustainable future.
Group Service
Next Sunday, being a fifth Sunday, will be a Group Service of Holy Communion. This will be hosted by Holy Trinity Hope. Do join us for this special family time together.
APCMs
Two more Annual meetings this week
Pontesbury Sunday April 23rd at 12 noon
Habberley Monday April 24th at 1.30 p.m.
Foodbank AGM
Weds May 3rd sees the first AGM of the Rea Valley Foodbank, the organisation responsible for delivering Foodbank out of St George’s and Holy Trinity churches. This takes place at 2 p.m. at St George’s. Our guest speaker is Karen Williams, manager of the foodbank in Shrewsbury. Anyone who is interested in what we have been doing over the last year is welcome to attend. Please note that giving to foodbanks has remained at the same level compared to last year, but the usage has doubled. We continue to welcome all gifts however small.
Unanswered Prayer
There is a zoom course on Tuesday evenings entitled “unanswered prayer” produced by Pete Greig, who recently addressed 300 people at a Diocesan Study Day. For details of how to join others in the Deanery who will be taking part in this, please contact Mark Hackney at mark.hackney@hereford.anglican.org
Ascension to Pentecost
There period from Ascension (May 18th) to Pentecost (May 28th) is designated by the church as Thy Kingdom Come. This is envisaged as a time of prayer, and more about this will be shared next week. The period will start with a Group Service at St George’s on Thurs 18th at 7 p.m. and conclude on Sunday 28th with a Group Service at Minsterley. There will be a special Deanery Service that evening at 6 p.m. at St George’s to which everyone is warmly invited.
Calendar for the Week
Fri 21st
Coffee at St George’s 10-12
Sat 22nd
Big Breakfast at St George’s from 9.30 a.m
Sun 23rd
Morning Prayer at Hope at 9 a.m.
Morning Prayer at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
St George’s Day Service at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Habberley at 10.30 a.m.
Pontesbury APCM at 12 noon
Mon 24th
Eco-church meeting at St George’s at 11 a.m.
Habberley APCM at 1.30 p.m. at St Mary’s
Tues 25th
Foodbank at HTM 10-12
Oasis at Minsterley Methodist Chapel 12-1.30 p.m.
The Gathering at 7 p.m.
Weds 26th
Café at HTM 10-12
Thurs 27th
Foodbank at St George’s 10-12
Fri 28th
Wedding of Tim & Bethu at St George’s at 2.30 p.m.
Sun 30th
Group Service at Hope at 10.30 a.m.
Image Copyright: James Gifford-Mead
