Newsletter 3rd February 2023

Dear Friends
As I’m sure you all know, I’m a Brummie by birth and Shropshire by marriage. As a youngster
growing up on a council estate in Birmingham, I loved being part of a supportive community
– not much money but plenty of things to do – roller-skating; out on our bikes to the park
and picnics (jam sandwiches and a bottle of pop) in the summer. As a student nurse,
working hard and then socialising in the clubs, or shopping in the city centre on days off.
I still visit Birmingham to see family but I’m no longer a city woman. I love the feeling of
reaching that part of the M54 where the Shropshire plain is stretched ahead. The hills of
South Shropshire; the Berwyns and the spires of the churches in Shrewsbury and all of a
sudden, I feel I’m home. It’s the hills that call me and that’s probably why I live in
Stiperstones. Each day I walk out the back door and look up onto the hills of the
Stiperstones. I’ve always loved the Psalms and why I particularly love Psalm 121 – I lift my
eyes to the hills. Each day when there are challenges I think of those last two verses of
Psalm 121 – The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in from this time on and for evermore.
Blessings for your week ahead,
Pam

Cliffdale
We are looking to form an ecumenical team to take part in services at Cliffdale Care Home on the first Monday of each month at 11 a.m. If you would like to join the singing, do a reading or simply chat to residents afterwards, we would be delighted to have you on board. There is no expectation that team members should visit every month. Please speak to Greg or Mary if interested.

Prayer Ministry
Training is to be offered to those who would like to know more about Prayer Ministry. The first session is at Holy Trinity Minsterley on Monday Feb 6th at 7 p.m. Please contact Susan Lockwood at susanlockwood345@btinternet.com to register your interest.

Tea Service
Our monthly Tea Service (a 30 minute communion service in the WER, followed by tea & cake) will take place at St George’s on Tuesday 7th Feb at 2.30 p.m. All welcome.

Sermon Series
Today sees the continuation of a sermon series on worship at all the churches in the group at the regular times.
Feb 5th Worship as mission
Feb 12th Worship in difficult times

Songs of Praise
Following the very successful Songs of Praise service at Pontesbury Baptist Church at the end of November, there will be another similar service on Feb 26th at 6.30 p.m. If you would like to nominate a hymn, please let Greg know.

St George’s Meadow
The newly established meadow in St George’s churchyard is growing well. In order to give the green hay seedlings a better chance of flourishing, another cut is planned. We will need volunteers to rake away the mown grass as mulch for the newly planted hedge. Mowing is planned for Saturday 4th March at 10.30 a.m. Please bring your own rake and wheelbarrow or builders bag.

Puppy visiting
We have received a request from a woman in Minsterley, who has recently been made redundant and forced to take a new job that doesn’t offer home-working. She has two new puppies that are to be left on their own all day as a result. She is looking for someone who lives in the village who would be willing to pop in once a day to let the dogs into the garden. Please contact Greg if you would be willing to help with this, even in the short term.

Palm Sunday
This year, as last year, we will be dramatising the Passion Gospel at St George’s on Palm Sunday. This requires a cast of thousands (well twenty anyway). If you would like to take part, having even a non-speaking part or would like to help out behind the scenes, please speak to Greg asap. Having failed to find a donkey last year, it would be great if we were able to locate one for this. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Calendar for the Week
Fri 3rd
Coffee at St George’s 10-12
Funeral of Terry Challinor at St George’s at 1 p.m.
Sat 4th
Pontesbury Youth Hub at Pontesbury Baptist Church at 10.30
Sun 5th
Holy Communion at Shelve at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Pontesbury & Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Mon 6th
Visit to Cliffdale at 11 a.m.
Youth Café at HTM 3.30-5 p.m.
Prayer Ministry training at HTM at 7 p.m.
Tues 7th
Little Dragons 10-11.30 at St George’s
Foodbank at HTM 10-12
Ichthus at 2.30 p.m.
Tea Service at 2.30 p.m.
Weds 8th
Alpha week 3 at 7 p.m. at the Deanery
Thurs 9th
Foodbank at St George’s 10-12
Trinity Tots 10-11.30 at HTM
Sun 12th
Holy Communion at Hope at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Pontesbury & Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Evensong at Habberley at 5 p.m.

Photo credit : RE 2019 Lake District