Newsletter April 22nd 2022
Dear friends
Holy Week and Easter were truly joyous for me, and I hope for many of you. So many highlights to record. A service on Shepherd’s rock on Good Friday afternoon, joined by other walkers who just happened to cotton on to what we were doing. The launch of St George’s Explorers on the Tuesday afternoon of Holy Week, attended by 50 people including leaders, with children running excitedly around the churchyard as they participated in the Easter Egg hunt. Watching Mark Hackney cram a slice of Warburton’s (other white sliced breads available) on Easter morning to demonstrate that not everything that seems possible is (the tomb’s ability to hold onto Jesus). Central to all this is the privilege of sharing the most special occasion in the church’s year with our new friends, alongside the visitors, who we may wish would come more frequently, but remind us that the rumour of resurrection is alive and well in South Shropshire. Proclaiming He is Risen, first at Hope and then at Minsterley on Easter Sunday, I was fully expecting a half-hearted response that would need to be repeated, but instead it was full-throated, and I trust full of faith. May the Joy of this season inhabit all we do in the days to come.
Thanks
To all those who made the above possible (too many to name): musicians, readers, prayers, performers, service leaders, sidespeople, refreshment providers and servers, flower arrangers, cleaners, and admin supporters. We have a wonderful team, each playing a vital part. Special thanks to you if this turns out to be your last time or was your first time!
Alpha
We will be running an Alpha course at The Deanery on Tuesday nights, commencing 3rd May (not 2nd May as previously advertised) for 10 weeks. The course is aimed at anyone who wants to explore the Christian faith or is new to the faith or simply wants to brush up on the foundations. If you yourself or you know anyone who might be interested, do let us know. We are limiting places to 12, but still have plenty left. We will also need help with catering. If you would be willing to help prepare a simple meal for 15 people once or twice during the 10 week course, please speak to Fran for further details.
House for Duty Priest
We have shortlisted a candidate (Steve) for the post of House for Duty priest. He is being interviewed on the afternoon of the 28th. Please pray for discernment for the interviewing panel.
Holiday
Please note that Greg & Fran will be on holiday from lunchtime on the 24th until the morning of 1st May, except for a brief window on the 28th. Any urgent pastoral needs should be referred to Revd Pam Bickley.
Covid Restrictions
We have reinstituted the common cup (or shared chalice) at communion services where the presiding priest feels comfortable doing so. We will be also inviting the congregation to kneel at the altar rail. We continue to be mindful of the very high Covid infection rate, so the priest will be masked when distributing the bread and wine and the congregation will be free to receive bread only (one thing we have learnt over the last two years is that this is still ‘proper’ communion). The congregation will not be allowed to dip wafers into the wine, although the priest may do so. As a general principle, we suggest that no one takes the cup who has a cold, stomach upset, cold sore etc.
APCMs
We are in the midst of the annual meeting season. Still to come:
Hope/Shelve April 20th at 6 p.m.
Pontesbury April 24th at 11.30
Congratulations
To Susan Lockwood and Sarah Edwards, who were elected as churchwardens at Minsterley and to Pearl Hannigan and Pauline Stopford who were re-elected as churchwardens at Habberley.
St George’s Explorers
The second gathering of St George’s Explorers will take place on Tues May 31st at 2 p.m. in St George’s Churchyard.
Treasurer
We continue to seek a new Treasurer for Pontesbury, following Gerald Worrall’s retirement.
Repair Shop
St George’s is looking to host a repair shop on Saturday mornings in July. If anyone has any repair skills to offer (clothes, machinery etc.) please contact Greg who will pass on your details to the Pontesbury Climate Change Group who are organising this event.
Beatles Evening
Stop Press. The Beatles evening, scheduled for Friday at Hope Village Hall has had to be postponed because of Covid. A new date will be announced soon.
Imagine
There is a reunion event for those women who attended the Imagine day at Holy Trinity Minsterley last month. This is scheduled for Sat 14th May from 10-12 at 78 Orchid Meadow, Minsterley.
Calendar for the Week
Fri 22nd Prayer at HTM 9-10 a.m.
Coffee morning at St George’s 10-12
Choir Practices
Sat 23rd Growing Leaders Away Day at Quinta 9.30-3.45
Sun 24th Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30
Image: Anna Shvets via Pexels
