Newsletter June 10th 2022
Dear friends
At last, I am able to announce progress on the Foodbank front. We have wanted to do things properly, which means getting the foundations right, rather than rushing into making a response and then folding a few months down the road. Foodbank is expecting to launch in September at Holy Trinity on Tuesday mornings and at St George’s on Thursday mornings. We are well advanced in forming a partnership with Foodbank Plus who operate the third oldest foodbank in the country in Shrewsbury. There is to be a volunteers’ briefing session on Monday 11th July at 7 p.m. at Pontesbury Baptist Church. Anyone is welcome to come along and find out more about what being a volunteer might mean. We must never forget that as the Lord’s Prayer teaches us to pray for our daily bread, so we may ourselves be the answer to that prayer for others. We also must recognize that those who are struggling to feed themselves and their families are likely to be struggling in other ways. Matthew 25 reminds us that whenever we help the weakest of Christ’s brothers and sisters, we do it for Him.
Ian & Claire Williams
As many of you will know by now Ian and Claire Williams (Ian is a lay reader who has regularly ministered at Minsterley, Hope and Shelve) lost their son, Arthur, seven days short of his 18th birthday. Please remember them and sister Elspeth and grandmother, Connie, in your prayers.
Treasurer for Minsterley
In light of ongoing health concerns, Bruce Norsworthy has decided to step down as Treasurer at Minsterley. We therefore need someone to take on this role as soon as it can be managed. Bruce has promised a full handover. Anyone who wants to know more about the rule should speak to Greg or one of the Minsterley churchwardens.
Friends
We are trying to establish a Friends of St George’s Churchyard group, a group made up of church and community members to look after the churchyard. If you think you might be interested in this, please let Greg or Stephen Winwood know.
Naming Rights
Thanks to Jean Evans who suggested the name Jubilee Grove for the new housing estate on the Minsterley Road. This suggestion has been passed on to the relevant authorities.
Richard Lonsdale
Richard, Claire, Moray, and Liv move into Minsterley next Friday. Please remember that Richard isn’t working until after his ordination. However, I am sure the family will appreciate messages of welcome to the area. He is ordained at Hereford Cathedral on July 3rd. While it’s a long way to expect anyone to come, everyone is welcome at the Cathedral and a few friendly faces will make all the difference. If anyone is planning to go and has a spare seat in the car, please let us know. The following Sunday, July 10th, we will host usual second Sunday services, but at 12.30, there will be a shared lunch at St George’s to which the whole family is warmly invited. Fran will be coordinating the catering, so please speak to her if you are able to help. You should find a list at the back of your church to sign up for attendance so that we have a reasonably reliable guest list.
Offertory
We have now restored the practice of taking up a collection during the service. By doing so, we remind ourselves that our financial gifts are not given in order to keep the church going, but as a response to God’s generosity to us. Tokens will be available for anyone who donates directly through their bank account, to be collected on entrance and then placed on the plate during the collection.
Baptism Team
We are seeking to establish a Baptism Team for our group to help welcome and support the many families that are coming forward seeking Christenings for their children. To this end, we have scheduled a “find out more” evening on Monday 27th June at 8 p.m. at St George’s. Just come along or speak to Greg if you want further information.
Celtic Service
St George’s will be hosting a Midsummer Celtic Service at 7.30 p.m. on Weds June 22nd. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore a different, gentle form of spirituality that might appeal to friends and neighbours who don’t regularly come to church. Further information from Sue Townsend at atxst3@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk
Hope/Shelve
From this Sunday onwards, there will be a change in the pattern of services offered at Hope and Shelve. There will be a service at Shelve on first and third Sundays at 9 a.m. and at Hope on second and fourth Sundays of the month, also at 9 a.m. Some of these services will be communion, led by Pam or Greg and some will be Morning Prayer, led by Richard.
Food Safety Training
Chris Kinnersley has kindly offered to provide food safety training for anyone who wants it. We have a couple of takers, but to make it viable we need a couple more. Please contact her directly at christinekinnersley16@gmail.com to find out more.
Holiday
Please note that Fran and Greg will be on holiday from 10th-17th June inclusive. Any urgent concerns should be addressed to a churchwarden or Revd Pam Bickley.
Healing Service
The next group healing service takes place next Sunday, June 19th, at St George’s at 6 p.m. All welcome.
Spring Harvest
We now have a viable group to take a party from Pontesbury & Stiperstones to Spring Harvest next Easter, April 10-14 in Minehead. We will be booking this in the next few weeks. Costs are £185 and up per person (with discounts for children) depending on the type of accommodation. The event provides worship, teaching and fellowship for all ages and has been a joyous and upbuilding time for every church I have attended. If you want to know more, speak to Greg or Fran.
Stone Circle Service
Please find attached a poster advertising an outdoor service on Stapeley Common on June 26
th at 6 p.m.
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 and it would be good to have a couple of drivers to staff a support crew.
Calendar for the Week
Fri June 10th Prayer at HTM 9-10 a.m.
Choir Practices
Sun 12th Holy Communion at Hope at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Pontesbury & Minsterley at 10.30 p.m.
Patronal meal for Holy Trinity at the Stiperstones Inn
Mon 13th Youth Café at HTM at 3.30 p.m.
Tues 14th Little Dragons 10-11.30 at St George’s
No Alpha
Weds 15th Café at HTM 10-12
Thurs 16th Trinity Tots
Fri 17th Richard & Claire move in
Sat 18th Wedding of Nick Williams & Sophie Farrington
Sun 19th Holy Communion at Shelve at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Morning Praise at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Healing Service at St George’s at 6.00 p.m.
Photo by Mariana Kurnyk (Pexels)
