Newsletter 29th July 2022
Dear friends
And so our ten week Alpha course (extended by a couple of weeks because of Covid) has come to an end. I won’t pretend it hasn’t been hard work, not least for Fran, not to mention Daisy who loves people but doesn’t quite know what to make of a dozen of them invading her space every Tuesday evening. However, like most things in life, as you sow so shall you reap. The effort to make the course as helpful as possible has been repaid many times over. Fran and I feel we have made new friends; that the things we have shared between us have been so deep and so personal that we have created a bond that will not be broken. The lovely testimonies we have received since Tuesday evening have underlined how much the course meant to those who joined us and the profound impact it had on their lives. We talked a lot about faith and what it means to us, but we talked about the whole of our lives because faith cannot be separated from everything else. Particular thanks must go to our all our caterers who fed us so wonderfully, and to my outstanding co-leaders, Sue, Graham and Julie. If next time we run an Alpha Course (and I’m sure there will be a next time), speak to one of our guests about whether it was worth it.
Church of England Online Service
If you would like to see the service recorded by our group for broadcast on the CofE’s national site for this Sunday’s weekly worship, visit https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/church-online on July 31st or thereafter.
Treasurer for Minsterley
We continue to look for a new treasurer for Minsterley. If you know of anyone, please let Greg know.
Tea Service
There is no Tea Service in August. The next gathering will take place on Sept 6th
Richard and Claire
Richard and Claire will be on holiday from Monday for two weeks. You may still see them around, but please respect their time off.
Shelve Heating
We are delighted to say that because of a generous grant from the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust, new heating has now been successfully installed at All Saints Shelve and done to a very high standard. It probably won’t be needed for now, but hopefully will demonstrate its merits in the winter.
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.
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea at St George’s, scheduled for this Sunday afternoon has been cancelled due to low ticket sales.
Foodbank Volunteers
Anyone wishing to register as a foodbank volunteer should do so as soon as possible. Training will be provided in August, with a date announced next week.
Confirmation
St George’s is hosting a confirmation service on Sunday October 16th at 3 p.m. We have three 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, even if it is only a short section of the route; and it would be good to have a couple of drivers to staff a support crew.
Group Service
There will be a Group Service at Holy Trinity Minsterley this Sunday at 10.30 a.m. All warmly welcome.
Ecumenical Service
There will be a joint service with our Congregationalist and Methodist brothers and sisters on Sunday September 11th at 6.30 p.m. at Pontesbury Congregationalist Church. The service will offer the opportunity for thanksgiving and lament following the Covid years. The Anglican churches are going to perform a dramatized gospel reading. Greg would be pleased to hear from anyone who wants to take part in this. Meanwhile, we would like a representative of Holy Trinity to join the planning team. There is likely to be only one more meeting on Monday 15th August at 7.30 p.m. Please let Greg or Sadie know if you are willing to join us.
Calendar for the Week
Fri 29th Prayer at HTM 9-10 a.m.
Choir Practice at HTM
Sat 30th Men’s breakfast at the Horseshoes at 8.30 a.m.
Sun 31st Group Service at Holy Trinity Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Mon 1st Aug Hope/Shelve joint PCC at 2 p.m. at Hope Village Hall
Weds 3rd Café at HTM 10-12
Friends of St George’s Churchyard at 2 p.m.
Sun 7th Holy Communion at Shelve with Baptism at 9 a.m.
Family Service at St George’s at 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.