Newsletter 2nd June 2023
Dear all
Many thanks for the prayers and good wishes before and after my cardioversion last Friday. The procedure was successful. I ran to Minsterley and back this morning two minutes quicker than before the procedure without even trying! Two moments stick with me. First, a man in the bed diagonally opposite whose op was cancelled because he could not remember whether he had taken his medication. He reported that he was going through a divorce and didn’t know where he would be living when they summoned him back. This, I thought, was a reminder to pray for others even as we seek prayer for ourselves. Second, the man directly opposite who was going through it for the second time around, having had two years of normal heart rhythm. He told me that athletes who are very fit and have a slow heart rate are especially prone to arrythmia. That’s me! I have always had a very slow heart rate and even once upon a time considered myself to be an athlete. Why had no one ever told me this?
I reflected that we often rely on the experts (the preachers, bible scholars, vicars) to tell us what we need to know. However, it is often our peers who have gleaned some insight along their own journey who have the most valuable nuggets to share. This is why bible study groups where there is wide ranging discussion are so fruitful.
Revd Fran Brealey A reminder that Revd Fran Brealey will be licensed at Holy Trinity Hope on Tuesday 13th June at 7 p.m. followed by a reception at Hope Village Hall. We look forward to as many of the Pontesbury and Stiperstones family being in attendance as possible. There will be parking both at the church and at the Village Hall. Please pray for Fran and her husband Mike who move into Pontesbury, on 7th June. Fran will attend PCC on 14th June and then properly start work on the 19th.
Ichthus The next meeting of Ichthus, a bible study group, takes place on Tuesday 6th June at 6 Station View, Minsterley at 2.30 p.m. Anyone from the benefice is welcome to attend.
Habberley Services There is to be a new pattern of services at St Mary’s Habberley, starting this Sunday. The first Sunday of the month will be BCP Evensong at 5 p.m. the second Sunday Morning Worship at 10.30 and fourth Sunday Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m.
Spring Harvest We are planning a further trip to Spring Harvest next year, 1-5 April 2024. If you would like to know more about what a trip to Spring Harvest entails, please speak to someone who attended. To reserve a place, please contact Greg and if you would like a place on a coach Susan Lockwood at susanlockwood345@btinternet.com Booking lines open on 14th June and it is expected to sell out very quickly.
High Places Communion Through this Year of Prayer, the Bishop is leading services of Holy Communion in High Places across the Diocese. As part of this programme, there is to be a service of Holy Communion at the top of Stiperstones on Monday 5th June at 5.15 p.m. The party are meeting at 4.30 p.m. in Knolls carpark and walking to the summit. Although we have been given relatively short notice, it would be lovely to have plenty of local representation.
Songs of Praise We have all been warmly invited by Pontesbury Baptist Church to a Songs of Praise evening on Sunday June 4th at 6.30 p.m. We have had a wonderful time on previous occasions. Do join us if you can.
Teddy Bears Picnic There is to be a Teddy Bears Picnic at St George’s on Sunday 11th June from 3-4.30 p.m. We would be grateful for anyone who is able to volunteer to help at this event. Please get in touch with Greg or Mary this week.
Plant Sale Congratulations and thanks to Margaret & David Wainwright on last week’s plant sale, which raised £920 for Minsterley church funds.
Learning new songs There have been many wonderful new worship songs written over the last decade or so. We tend not to sing them in our churches because people don’t already know them. Therefore, St George’s will be hosting a new songs workshop on Weds June 14th at 7 p.m. We are happy to take requests in advance, the primary stipulation being that the song/hymn must have been written this century.
Repair Shop St George’s has now been hosting the Repair Shop for 12 months on alternate second Saturdays of the month (the next is July 8th). During this time, 64 items have been repaired that would otherwise have gone to landfill. Do take advantage of this wonderful facility.
Richard’s Ordination Richard will be ordained priest at Hereford Cathedral on Saturday 1st July at 10 a.m. (this is the correct time). If you are not able to attend the ordination (everyone is welcome), you are warmly invited to The Deanery that evening at 6 p.m. for a BBQ to celebrate this milestone. Anyone is welcome to come along, but please put your name on a church signup sheet or contact Greg & Fran so that we can cater accordingly.
Calendar for the Week
Fri 2nd
Coffee at St George’s 10-12
Sat 3rd
Coffee & Cake 10-12 followed by Duck Race at St George’s
Sun 4th
Holy Communion at Shelve at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Evensong at Habberley at 5 p.m.
Songs of Praise at Pontesbury Baptist Church at 6.30 p.m.
Mon 5th
High Places communion with Bishop at 4.30 p.m. at Knolls Carpark
Youth Café at 3.30 p.m. at HTM
Tues 6th
Foodbank at HTM 10-12
Tea Service at St George’s at 2.30 p.m.
Ichthus at 2.30 p.m. at 6 Station View
Weds 7th
Café at HTM 10-12
Pontesbury Youth Hub at 12 noon
Minsterley Fundraising Ctte at 2 p.m. at the New Vicarage
Minsterley Standing Ctte at 7 p.m. at HTM
Thurs 8th
Foodbank at St George’s 10-11.30
Wedding at St George’s at 12
Minsterley Finance Ctte at 2 p.m. at HTM
Licensing rehearsal at Hope at 7 p.m.
Fri 9th
Meeting of St George’s Choir at 6.30 p.m. in church
Sat 10th
Callow Chase at 12 noon
Sun 11th
Holy Communion at Hope at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley & Pontesbury at 10.30
Morning Praise at Habberley at 10.30 a.m.
Teddy Bears Picnic at St George’s from 3-4.30 p.m.
