Newsletter 26th January 2024
Dear Friends
According to Genesis chapter two, one of the key jobs God entrusted to humanity was to name the animals. In some cases, they found the task straightforward: Hippopotamus means Water Horse and Giraffe apparently Fast Walker (not the first thing that springs to mind when you see a giraffe surely), but eventually resorted to naming animals after the person who discovered them e.g. Grevy’s Zebra. However, it was thousands upon thousands of years before it occurred to humanity that it ought to name storms. It’s easy enough to understand why this is now thought to be necessary. When we speak of the Great Storm of 1987, most famous because of Michael Fish’s overly optimistic weather forecast, we all know what we’re talking about. However, when our children talk about the great storm of 2024, they will need to be more specific: hence Isha and Jocelyn (I wonder if I will be christening lots of babies with Irish names in nine months’ time?)
We should not miss the irony here. God allows humans to name animals as a sign of our dominion over our fellow creatures. The Master names his pets because they belong to him and are subject to him. We kid ourselves when we attempt to exercise dominion over the weather, but there is only One who commands the wind and the waves (Mark 4.36-41)
Minsterley Praise
Thanks to all those who attended the inaugural joint service with our Methodist brothers and sisters last Sunday at Minsterley Methodist chapel. The chapel was almost full and it was great to see both congregations responding so positively to the opportunity to worship together. Going forward, we will meet on the third Sunday of each month: Feb/April/June etc. at Holy Trinity at 10.30 and March/May/July etc. at the Methodist Chapel at 10 a.m.
Year of Faith
The next event in the Year of Faith 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.
Pontesbury Photos
Greg will have his camera phone available on Sunday morning at St George’s to capture photos of anyone in the congregation he can persuade to display their smiling faces on the photoboard.
Martin Jones
Was well known in Pontesbury & Minsterley and his recent death a matter of great sadness to his many friends. The funeral will be held at St George’s on Weds Feb 14th at 10 a.m.
Youth Café launch
There is a planned relaunch of Pontesbury Youth Café next Weds 31st Jan for all Secondary-aged young people. Please pray for this after a couple of false starts.
Lent Lunches
Please note that there will be ecumenical Lent Lunches at St George’s on Wednesdays 12-1 p.m. commencing Feb 14th and on Thursdays at Hope Village Hall at the same time, commencing Feb 22nd. All welcome.
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 alternate Mondays. If you want to catch up on what you missed, a link to the videos from the first two sessions 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 earlier sessions 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.
Last year’s Palm Crosses
Please can last year’s Palm Crosses be returned. These are now required so preparations can now be made for Ash Wednesday.
Plough Service
Plough Service is due to take place on 28th Jan at 7 p.m. This service will be at St George’s, Pontesbury.
This is a service where we pray for our farming community and a blessing upon their work in the coming year.
New Pattern of Services
Please see the amended pattern for Jan/Feb:
Pontesbury Minsterley Habberley
1st 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
Minsterley Calendar
Emma Stevenson has kindly set up a Minsterley Church calendar. Any service/event should be entered into it. Please contact Emma at emmashtm@gmail.com to make an entry.
Calendar for the Week
Fri 26th
Coffee at St George’s 10-12
Mon 22nd
Minsterley Youth Café at 3.30 p.m.
Sun 28th
Holy Communion at Hope at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley & Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Plough Service at St George’s at 7 p.m.
Mon 29th
Youth Café at HTM at 3.30 p.m.
Tues 30th
Foodbank at HTM 10-12
Little Dragons at St George’s 10-11.30 a.m.
The Gathering at 7 p.m. at Marton Village Hall
Weds 31st
Coffee Hub at HTM 10-12
Foodbank Team meeting at 1.30 p.m. at HTM
Pontesbury Youth Café at 3.20 p.m.
Rea Valley Prayer at 7 p.m. at Hove-to
Thurs 1st Feb
Foodbank at St George’s from 10-12
Trinity Tots HTM 10 p.m.
Sun 4th
Holy Communion at 9 a.m. at Shelve
Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m. at Minsterley
All-age Worship at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Evensong at Habberley at 5 p.m.
Photo by Pixabay: pexels.com/photo/eye-of-the-storm-image-from-outer-space-71116/
