Newsletter 25th February 2022
Dear friends
Some exciting news to share. The PCCs of both Hope and Shelve parishes have been exploring the possibility of joining together as one parish. This has the virtue of enabling the churches to work collaboratively, sharing mission, social events and planning. If the proposal is eventually adopted, it will also mean a reduction in the number of officers required to keep the show on the road, halving the current requirement of 4 churchwardens, 2 treasurers and 2 secretaries; and this from a pool of a combined electoral roll of no more than 40. And unlike many proposals, there is no real downside. Both churches will remain open and offer two services a month, while anyone will be free to have weddings, christenings or funerals in the church of their choice as before. Formal consultation begins on March 7th and closes on April 19th. Formal responses should be sent to Sarah Girling, the Secretary to the Hereford Diocesan and Pastoral Committee at s.girling@hereford.anglican.org Of course, the current churchwardens at Hope and Shelve or Greg will be happy to discuss any concerns or thoughts you may have. There is to be a public meeting at Hope Village Hall on Thursday 7th April at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
Lent
Please note there will be a full programme over Lent. There will be an ashing service on Ash Wednesday at both Minsterley and Pontesbury on March 2nd at 6.30 p.m.
Lent lunches will run at St George’s on Wednesdays from 12-1 starting on March 2nd with a theme of “characters connected to the Passion” and in the Stiperstones benefice at various venues on Fridays at the same time.
A Lent Group will run at the Deanery on Monday evenings, starting on March 7th at 7.30. We will be using the Stephen Cotterell booklet the Nail to explore the Passion. Anyone is welcome to join us, but we can ensure we have enough chairs if we know who might be coming. If you want to purchase the book in advance at a cost of c £7.50, please visit https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/easter-and-lent-books/the-nail/
Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, at St George’s, we will be dramatizing the passion story and therefore are looking for a cast of thousands (well twenty anyway). Most parts are only one line. We will also need technical people, stage managers and costume designers. If you are willing to help on April 10th, please speak to Greg. Please note, there will be the liturgy of the palms at Minsterley, led by the Stiperstones Brass Band.
Oasis
The new bereavement group, jointly run by six local churches in Pontesbury and Minsterley has officially branded itself as Oasis. The group will run on alternate Tuesdays at Minsterley Methodist Chapel from 12-1.30 and is for anyone who has suffered recent bereavement, launching on March 22nd. Oasis offers lunch and companionship to people going through difficult times. We have plenty of volunteers to run the club. What we need now is your prayers and for guests to come. If you know anyone in the Minsterley/Pontesbury area who has lost a loved one and who might benefit from joining the group, please do refer them to us. Heather Ryder has kindly agreed to be the point of contact and may be reached at ryder928@btinternet.com or 01743 790359
Tea Service
The Tea Service that takes place at St George’s on the first Tuesday of the month at 2.30 is designed for the whole group, aimed at people who find getting to church on Sunday mornings difficult. At present, we are only attracting residents from Pontesbury parish and would like others to join us. If you know of anyone who might like to join us on March 1st or even more helpfully would be willing to pick someone up and bring them, please let Greg know.
The Messiah
Shropshire Charity Concerts will perform Messiah in Shrewsbury Abbey on Saturday February 26 at 19:30. Doors open 18:45, and seats are unreserved. Tickets cost £15 (including programme), and the money goes to local charities. Tickets available from the Abbey (01743 232723) The office is staffed 10-12:30 on weekdays.
Evensong at Habberley
For consistency’s sake, the PCC of Habberley has decided that the time of Evensong on the second Sunday of the month should remain 5 p.m. whether winter or summer.
Hereford School Venture
Anyone willing and able to help Mark Hackney with the Hereford School Venture, which runs from 18-20 March at the Pioneer Centre in Cleobury Mortimer, working with 60 years 4 and 5 children should contact Mark at mark.hackney@hereford.anglican.org
Calendar for the Week
Fri 25th Prayer at HTM 9-10 a.m.
Coffee morning at St George’s 10-12
Choir Practices
Sat 26th The Messiah at Shrewsbury Abbey at 7.30 p.m.
Sun 27th Holy Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Morning Worship at Minsterley at 10.30
Mon 28th Funeral of Mick Jones at the Crematorium
Growing Leaders Session 3 at 7.30 at St George’s
Tues Mar 1st Tea Service at St George’s at 2.30 p.m.
Pancakes & Beetle Drive at St George’s at 7 p.m.
Weds 2nd Café at HTM 10-12
Lent Lunch at St George’s at 12 noon
Ash Weds services at 6.30 at Pontesbury & Minsterley
Sun 6th Morning Prayer at Hope at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Shelve at 9 a.m.
Morning Worship at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
