Newsletter 6th October 2023
Dear Friends
HS2 and its northern leg have been much in the news this week. By the time you read this, you will know whether Rishi has, as has widely been predicted, decided to scrap it or not. Since the moment of its conception HS2 has irritated me profoundly. From Coventry we could get to London in 80 minutes (not that we could afford it – it was always much cheaper to catch the megabus), so the idea of speeding that up by a few minutes was something that never seemed sensible given the financial and environmental cost. The government is citing coronavirus as the cause for its U-turn (not easy on a train) and while the pandemic could not have been easily foreseen, the advent of new technology making home working more prevalent is not only something that should have been anticipated but should have been promoted (in my view).
We should never forget that apart from the occasional ride on a donkey, the man who changed the world more than anyone before or since, walked everywhere. He never undertook a journey as far as the one from Manchester to London, except of course the journey from heaven to earth.
Gerald and Mary Worrall
Please remember Gerald and Mary in your prayers, following the tragic death of their grandson, Ben, in a Road Traffic Accident in the early hours of Sunday morning. Please also pray for his friend, Nathan, who was very seriously injured.
Habberley Prayer
The Habberley prayer evening takes place on Tuesday October 10th at 7 p.m. The benefice choir will be singing, and wine and soft drinks will be served afterwards.
Choir Leader for St George’s
St George’s Church is seeking a new Choir Leader. An application form and job description is available from Krys Rodgers at officepontstip@gmail.com For an informal discussion, please speak to Greg or Carolyn Lewis. The closing date for applications is October 31st.
Children’s Church
St George’s PCC has agreed to launch Children’s Church after the October half-term to provide Christian teaching and fun activity for children attending church on Sunday mornings. Since then, we have been encouraged by a number of parents coming forward to say that they will bring their children if we are providing something. We are therefore looking to recruit volunteers to form two teams, as well as a coordinator for this new ministry. Job descriptions are available for both roles, along with an application form. Please contact Krys Rodgers at officepontstip@gmail.com to request these. If you have any questions about either role, please contact Greg.
Wellbeing Bus
The Wellbeing Bus returns to our villages this coming week. It can be found outside Minsterley Parish Hall on Tuesday from 10-2. Anyone is welcome to drop in to say hello or get advice about any mental health issue. (Poster attached)
Arts/Bake/Crafts Festival
The Arts festival scheduled to take place at St George’s next weekend has been postponed.
Carolyn & John Chadwick
As many will know, Carolyn and John are going to be moving to Winchester at the end of next month. They will be much missed. Their last Sunday in Shropshire will be October 29th. Carolyn will preside that morning at the Group Service at St George’s. The service will be followed by a bring and share lunch at The Deanery from 12.30.
Sick List
If you wish anyone to be included from the sick list, please contact Krys at officepontstip@gmail.com. Please remember to advise her if someone is healed or dies.
Pontesbury School
Please pray for Pontesbury School as it seeks to appoint a new headteacher in the coming weeks, following the retirement of Richard Langford over the summer.
Harvest
This year we are making the focus of our harvest celebrations support for the farming community. Our harvest appeal is for RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) who support farmers through difficult times. Retiring collections will be taken at our Harvest services.
Celebrating 150 Years of St Luke’s Snailbeach
The Bishop of Hereford, Rt Revd Richard Jackson, is visiting Snailbeach on Sunday October 15th to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St Luke’s Snailbeach. There is special service at 3 p.m. followed by coffee and cake after in Snailbeach Village Hall. We would love to see you there for this special celebration.
Group Services
There will be Group Services on the following dates and venues all at 10.30 a.m.:
Oct 29th St George’s (to say farewell to the Chadwicks)
Dec 24th Holy Trinity Minsterley
Dec 25th St George’s
Dec 31st Holy Trinity Minsterley (to say farewell to Pam)
St George’s Open Day
Thanks to all those who supported St George’s Open Day last Saturday. There was a wonderful time of fellowship with a good mixture of regular congregation members, locals and visitors to the area. Thank you to all those who worked so hard to make it a special day.
The Walk
If you have been kind enough to sponsor the intrepid walkers, please give your sponsorship at your earliest convenience to your church representative. We think we have raised about £1,000 for our churches and the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust.
Autumn tidy up at HTM
The annual autumn tidy up will be taking place at HTM this Saturday 7th October from 10am. We’ll be tidying inside the church and outside in the churchyard so all skills will be needed – there’ll be plenty of coffee and cake to keep us motivated and fuelled! If you’re able to help can you let Sarah Edwards know or just turn up on the day.
Website
During the week of the 15th October 2023 the Stiperstones Churches website (stiperstoneschurches.org.uk) may be off-line at times as it is being transferred to a new provider and will also be updated at the same time.
Calendar for the Week
Fri 6th
Prayer at Holy Trinity Minsterley at 9 a.m.
Coffee at St George’s 10-12
Sat 7th
Church Tidy up at HTM at 10 a.m. onwards.
Sun 8th
Hope Harvest Communion at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Harvest Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Morning Worship at Habberley at 10.30 a.m.
Harvest Lunch at Pontesbury at 1 p.m.
Mon 9th
Youth Café at HTM at 3.30 p.m.
Minsterley Finance Cttee at 7 p.m. at The Deanery
Tues 10th
Foodbank at HTM 10-12
Little Dragons 10-11.30
Wellbeing Bus at Minsterley Parish Hall from 10-2
Habberley Prayer at St Mary’s at 7 p.m.
Weds 11th
Café at HTM 10-12
Pontesbury Standing Committee at 10.15 in WER
Church Council at 3.30 p.m. at HTM
Thurs 12th
Foodbank at Pontesbury 10-12
Trinity Tots at Holy Trinity, Minsterley 10-11.30
Fri 13th
Prayer at Holy Trinity Minsterley at 9 a.m.
Coffee at St George’s 10-12
Sun 15th
Morning Prayer at Shelve at 9 a.m.
Morning Praise at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Snailbeach 150th Anniversary Service at 3 p.m.
Photo credit: Photo by Rowlandzy at Pexels
