Newsletter 31st March 2023
Dear all
How do you confuse a group of Anglicans? Arrange chairs in a circle and ask them not to sit at the back. What is our obsession with avoiding sitting at the front of church? Especially when the result is that we can’t see or hear properly. I am reminded of the Vicar who asks his congregation whether they can all hear him, to which one lady responds, “I can hear you well, but I don’t mind swapping with someone who can’t”. That may well be it or of course many of us are at an age where easy access to the toilet is necessary. Seriously, we are of the type that don’t like to be seen as giving ourselves too many airs and graces. Only important people sit near the front we say to ourselves and we’re not important. The disciples had a similar problem when Jesus offered to wash their feet on Maundy Thursday. They were embarrassed, not because their feet were particularly smelly or because of corns and bunions, but because to be served in this way by someone so holy felt as though they were being elevated higher than felt comfortable.
Maundy Thursday immediately precedes Good Friday when God’s Holy Servant is put to death for our sins. Pride may forbid that we should come forward to receive this. His invitation, however, is to all. We come forward not because we’re special, but because He is.
Lent Lunches
The final Lent Lunch takes place at St George’s on Wednesday as the battle of the best soup in the parish continues and we consider the final line of the Lord’s Prayer.
Brian Venables
Following his death last week, Brian’s funeral will take place at Church Preen, where capacity is limited, on Tuesday at 1 p.m.
Geoff Edwards
Sadly, at the age of 90, Geoff Edwards died on Monday night peacefully at home. A wonderful servant of Hope Church for many decades, only retiring as churchwarden on his 90th birthday, Geoff was loved, admired and respected by all who knew him. His funeral will be at Hope Church in due course. Please pray for his three children: Clive, Gail & Cheryl at this sad time.
Palm Sunday
The Palm Sunday passion play at St George’s will commence at 10.30 with able bodied members of the congregation meeting in the bay outside the Deanery. Please do not park outside Hignett’s as this will be reserved for the Donkey. We would like someone to take a few photos of the occasion. If you would be willing and able to do this, please contact Greg.
Compline at Snailbeach
Pam will be leading a service of Compline at St Luke’s, Snailbeach on Tuesday at 6.30 p.m.
Maundy Thursday
There will be Maundy Thursday services at Pontesbury & Minsterley at 6.30 p.m. on April 6th
Snailbeach Coffee Morning
There will be a coffee morning in aid of St Luke’s Church on Saturday 1st April from 10-12 at Snailbeach Village Hall. All welcome.
Good Friday
The annual Good Friday pilgrimage will take place next week. Starting at Middleton Church at 9.30 a.m. the walkers will arrive at Hope at 12 noon for a service there and then later at Shelve at 5 p.m. before concluding their journey at the Tin Church in White Grit at 6.30 p.m. Please join us for the whole walk or any section as you feel able.
APCMs
We are soon to enter the season of Annual Meetings which take place as follows:
Minsterley Sunday April 16th at 1 p.m.
Hope/Shelve Monday April 17th at 1.30 p.m.
Pontesbury Sunday April 23rd at 12 noon
Habberley Monday April 24th at 1.30 p.m.
Explorers
St George’s Explorers gather for an Easter Egg Hunt, hot cross buns and a family friendly introduction to the Easter story. This will commence in the churchyard at 11 a.m. on Tuesday 4th April.
Calendar for the Week
Fri 31st
Coffee at St George’s 10-12
Palm Sunday rehearsal at 4 p.m.
Sat 1st
Snailbeach Coffee Morning 10-12 at the Village Hall
Sun 2nd
Morning Prayer at Shelve at 9 a.m.
Palm Sunday services at Minsterley & Pontesbury at 10.30
Lunch at the Deanery for Spring Harvesters
Mon 3rd
Youth Café Team meeting at HTM at 3.30 p.m.
‘An Evening at Bethany’ at St Mary’s, Habberley at 6.30 p.m.
Tues 4th
Foodbank at HTM 10-12
St George’s Explorers at 11 a.m.
Tea Service at St George’s at 2.30 p.m.
Passover at St George’s at 6.30 p.m.
Compline at Snailbeach at 6.30 p.m.
Weds 5th
Lent Lunch at St George’s 12-1 p.m.
Samaritans Training at 2 p.m. at St George’s
Alpha Week 10 at The Deanery at 7 p.m.
Thurs 6th
Foodbank at St George’s 10-12
Maundy Thursday services at Minsterley & Pontesbury at 6.30 p.m.
Fri 7th
Good Friday pilgrimage from 9.30 at Middleton
Service at Hope at 12 noon
Service at Shelve at 5 p.m.
Tenebrae – St George’s, Pontesbury at 6.30 pm
Sun 9th
Easter Communion at Hope & Snailbeach at 9 a.m.
Easter Communion at Pontesbury & Minsterley at 10.30
Evensong at Habberley at 5 p.m.
