Newsletter 5th August 2022
Dear friends
I have long marvelled at my dog’s ablutions. I hesitate to share this with you since the image it conjures up is not a pleasant one, although every dog owner will be familiar with it. What happens is that Daisy deposits the unwanted contents of her bowels onto the ground and then takes several steps away from her doings before violently scraping at the ground, sending grass and/or soil in almost any direction except one that might actually cover up the unpleasant mess. We probably all understand why she does this, a result of a genetic memory from the days when dogs would conscientiously cover up the said deposit, I guess to avoid being tracked by a predator. Many thousands of years later, the activity serves no useful purpose, but ingrained habit condemns her to keep on doing it. I find myself wondering whether there aren’t some aspects of church life that are similar. I am not suggesting for a moment that there are things that are unholy and smelly, but perhaps things that we do because we’ve always done them, although no one can now quite remember why! It’s probably a good idea from time to time to ask the why question. One of the advantages of suddenly acquiring a curate is that that question gets asked quite a lot.
Church of England Online Service
If you haven’t yet seen the service recorded by our group for broadcast on the CofE’s national site for Sunday worship, visit https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/church-online and look for the 7th after Trinity service. Many thanks to all those who contributed.
Treasurer for Minsterley
We continue to look for a new treasurer for Minsterley. If you know of anyone, please let Greg know.
Richard and Claire
Richard and Claire are on holiday until 15th August. You may still see them around, but please respect their time off.
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.
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.
Ecumenical Service
There will be a joint service with our Congregationalist and Methodist brothers and sisters on Sunday September 11
th 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.
Sad News
Over the last week, we have had news of the deaths of Wendy Beesley and Joy Minshen. Wendy’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 16th Aug at 2 p.m. at St George’s.
Foodbank
The Rea Valley Foodbank (five local churches working together) will officially launch on Sept 27th at Holy Trinity Minsterley, with a second session on Sept 29th at St George’s. Next week, we will publish details as to where to donate food and how to find out what is needed, as well as advice about how to support the foodbank financially.
Calendar for the Week
Fri 5th
Prayer at HTM 9-10 a.m.
Choir Practice at HTM
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.
Mon 8th
Eco-church at 2 p.m. at St George’s
Weds 10th
Café at HTM 10-12
Pontesbury Churchyard Ctte at 11 a.m. at St George’s
Thurs 11th
Messy Church planning at HTM at 11 a.m.
Sun 14th
Holy Communion at Hope at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Pontesbury & Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Mon 15th
Foodbank training 12.30-5 p.m.
Joint service planning meeting at Pontesbury Cong church at 7.30 p.m.
Photo by Gabe: Pexels
