Rector’s Newsletter 4th June 2021

Dear friends

The Diocese and Deanery have agreed that our group can have a House for Duty Priest from 2022 to work three days a week in the Stiperstones benefice. This will be a huge help to me and I am grateful that the undertaking given me at interview has been made good. However, there is a catch (isn’t there always?). We will have to pay for it. This means that we will need an increase in income in 2022 of between 25 and 30%. Given that income has been artificially depressed in 2020 and 2021 by the pandemic, I am hopeful that this will not be too onerous. Inevitably, I have spent quite a lot of time talking about money over the last couple of weeks to get this deal in place. Now, therefore, seems a good time to reflect on what giving to church is all about. It is easy to think of it as a membership fee, like the National Trust or a yoga class. We pay either by direct debit or whenever we attend. An alternative way of thinking of our church giving is as a charitable contribution. The church, like Battersea Dogs Home, is a good cause that deserves our support and without it might not keep going. While both of these attitudes are understandable, neither do justice to the Bible’s view. The Bible tells us that everything we have comes from God in the first place and that we simply give back a little of what he’s given us. Or as St John puts it: “we love because He first loved us” (1 John 4.19)

Live recordings

Our second live broadcast will take place this Sunday from Holy Trinity Minsterley. The service will be available to view from 6 p.m. via either the Pontesbury or Stiperstones websites. A review this week noted the importance of having the liturgy on screen, ensuring consistency of sound and ensuring the preacher’s face is lit properly. The delay between recording the service and posting it is a reminder to us of how much hard work Alistair Bates puts into such a fantastic job of editing. We would be pleased to hear from anyone who would be prepared to operate a camera on this or future occasions. Please contact Greg or Alistair.

June 21st

Plans are now well advanced for a special service on Monday June 21st at 7 p.m. at St George’s. This is an opportunity for the whole family to come together and welcome Greg and Fran and celebrate the start (albeit four months later) of their ministry. It will be a wonderful opportunity to meet all our new friends at the same time and to bid our old friends from Coventry a fond farewell. There will be a buffet supper served from 6 p.m.

Good Neighbours

Are looking for additional volunteers to run errands and visit those living alone. Anyone who thinks they might be interested in joining the current team of 15-20 volunteers who volunteer in Pontesbury and Minsterley should contact Greg.

Eco-church

A small group met last week to consider how Minsterley and Pontesbury churches might make progress towards the Eco-Church bronze award. Holy Trinity is reasonably close to be ready to apply, needing to do more with the wider community. St George’s is further back and will need to investigate what it can do to ensure its building and its land use are more eco-friendly.

Harvey Trudgett

We mourn the passing of Harvey Trudgett, a former crucifer at Minsterley, who died on 29th May. His funeral will take place at the crematorium later this month. Please pray for his wife, Maureen.

Safeguarding

The Parish Safeguarding Officer is June Cribb 07947 482066. The Diocesan Officer is Carl Steventon 07598817717

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Eco-church

St George's church supports Eco-church. We have reached the silver award. To find out more, please visit this  link:

About St George's

St George’s Pontesbury, is a Christian Community providing a loving and spiritual environment in which to embrace, explore and experience faith in order to serve our community. We hope you find what you are looking for. Please do contact us for further help, advice or information.

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