Newsletter 6th January 2023
Dear friends
The night before last I had a dream in which I was appointed the new Health Secretary. In the dream, my primary consideration was how impressed my mum would be by this achievement. My first thought on waking (that point where you haven’t quite grasped that the dream isn’t real), I found myself wondering whether it wouldn’t be a problem that I wasn’t a Tory MP. At no point did it occur to me that a Human Biology O Level from 1977 might not be sufficient qualification to run the national health service. You may feel that my subconscious was trying to tell me that the state of play in the health service is so bad that even I couldn’t make it any worse. However, for me the take home point is that other people’s jobs always look quite straightforward until you have to do them yourself. I remember many years ago hearing of an actor who played the part of both God and Jesus in a mystery play. He said that as God he couldn’t work out why people couldn’t just get their problems sorted, but later in the play when occupying the role of Jesus, he realised how much more complicated it is.
This is the essence of the incarnation. God experiences human life not from some distant vantage point nonplussed by our inability to get it right. Instead, Jesus comes amongst us “he was tempted in every way that we are and yet without sin.” Hebrews 2.18
Happy New Year
To all our friends. May 2023 be blessed, holy and peaceful.
Thanks
To clergy, churchwardens, readers, coffee makers, musicians, sidespeople, and myriad others who worked so hard over the Christmas period to ensure such a rich array of services.
Burns Night
There is to be a Burns Night Supper at Hope Village Hall on Friday Jan 27th at 7 p.m. This is aid of church funds. Tickets will need to be ordered in advance for catering purposes from either Sara Young or Joyce Graves.
Alpha
A new Alpha course for anyone in the area who wants to learn more about the Christian faith begins on Wednesday 25th January at the Deanery and will run for 10 Weds evenings. The course assumes no prior knowledge and is perfect for those who are new to faith; those who want to know whether Christianity is for them and for those who have been coming to church for a long time, but feel there is more to learn. As well as an opportunity to learn, there is wonderful fellowship and excellent food. To secure a place, please contact Sue at susantownsend267@gmail.com
Catering
If you would be willing to cater for a week of Alpha one Wednesday, Fran would be very pleased to hear from you.
Methodist Covenant Service
Both St George’s and Holy Trinity will be hosting the annual Methodist Covenant Service on January 15th at 10.30 a.m. We will also be welcoming our Congregational brothers and sisters for this lovely ecumenical service. Do join us.
PCC Secretary for Pontesbury
After ten years of wonderful service, Val Butterworth will be stepping down as PCC Secretary at St
George’s at the next APCM. Although this is a little way off, she is offering a full briefing/induction to her successor, providing an opportunity to shadow her in the coming months. Anyone interested in this role should speak to Val or Greg. A role description is available.
Sermon Series
This month sees the start of a sermon series on worship commencing on Jan 22nd at all the churches in the group at the regular times. Note the 29th is a Group Service at St George’s.
Jan 22nd Worship that brings people together
Jan 29th Worship as praise
Feb 5th Worship as mission
Feb 12th Worship in difficult times
Cliffdale
We want to recruit an ecumenical team to offer ministry at Cliffdale Care Home. To this end, there is a meeting on Monday January 9th (please note the amended time of 1.45 p.m.) at the Deanery. Anyone who might be interested in this is welcome to attend.
Year of Prayer
This week marks the beginning of the Year of Prayer being observed by the Diocese, which comes with an encouragement to each church to pray creatively and faithfully. We will be looking to hold events throughout the year that will help us to pray.
Christingle
St George’s will be hosting a Christingle Service on January 22nd at 4 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Healing Service
Our monthly healing service takes place at St George’s on Sunday 15th January at 6 p.m. All welcome.
Minsterley Warm Hub
Volunteers are needed to help with the Warm Hub in Minsterley Parish Hall on Mondays 10-12. Hopefully it can begin on Monday 16 January. Contact Susan Lockwood to offer help – 07854 110271 susanlockwood345@btinternet.com
Calendar for the Week
Sun 8th
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.
Mon 9th
Cliffdale meeting at 1.45 at the Deanery
Youth Café at 3.30 p.m. at HTM
Prayer meeting at 7.30 p.m. at Hove-to
Tues 10th
Foodbank 10-12 at HTM
Little Dragons 10-11.30
Church Council at St George’s at 2 p.m.
Weds 11th
Hope/Shelve PCC at 3 p.m. at Hope Village Hall
Thurs 12th
Foodbank at St George’s 10-12
Trinity Tots 10-11.30
Pontesbury Finance Ctte at 2 p.m. at The Deanery
Fri 13th
Friday Coffee morning at St George’s 10-12
Sat 14th
Prayer Ambassadors Event at Church Stretton
Baptism at Shelve at 1 p.m.
Sun 15th
Morning Prayer at Shelve at 9 a.m.
Methodist Covenant Service at HTM & St George’s at 10.30 a.m.
Healing Service at 6.30 p.m. at St George’s
