Newsletter 29th March 2024
Dear Friends,
I have recently been trying to reduce the number of books I own. Each time I have finished reading a book, I ask myself, ‘Am I ever going to read this again?’. If the answer is, ‘Probably not’, then the book goes in the bag for the Oxfam bookshop. I have no doubt there will be one or two occasions when I get it wrong, and give away something I later think I would like to re-read, but the advantage is that the books in the pile on my study floor are gradually finding places on the shelves!
This week we have been hearing a story that we have heard many times. It is the story of the days leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a story that has been retold so many times before, through drama, through music and poetry, through paintings, and through the liturgy of our churches. And yet each of us is invited to experience it once again. We are invited to do more than watch on the sidelines, but to enter into the sorrow and the joy of these three days with Jesus and his friends. Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday – these days stand at the heart of our faith.
For this story is not just his story, Jesus’ story, it is our story too. It is the story which can shape our lives individually, and as churches, as we learn from him, and seek to follow him in our daily lives. For when we look at Jesus, we see what God is like, and we see his love for us and for the world.
The services and other activities in our churches this weekend are there to help us draw closer to Jesus, to know more of what he has done for us. So are the many online and broadcast events. Do take some time this weekend to ‘reread’ this wonderful story for yourself. And may you have a very happy Easter.
Rev Fran
Lent Lunches
Many thanks to all those who supported Lent Lunches at St George’s and Hope Village Hall. Wonderful fellowship, wonderful soup and great to be reminded what Lent is truly about – the journey to the cross.
Everyone who came to the Lent Lunches in Hope Village Hall. We raised the wonderful sum of £600 which will be sent to Christian Aid to help those in need in Gaza.
Website
Richard Elliot formally stands down as St George’s Webmaster this weekend after many years of loyal service. His reliability, creativity and professionalism are hugely appreciated and will be much missed.
Bingo, Bangers & Mash
A fun evening at St George’s on Saturday 6th April at 7 p.m. Tickets available from Marianne McCall.
Dentist
For those who haven’t heard, Pontesbury Dental Practice will soon be exclusively private patients only. Final appointments are being offered to existing NHS patients before they will be asked to pay or go elsewhere.
Spring Harvest
Please note that the clergy will be away en masse at Spring Harvest from 1-5 April. Greg is still available by phone and email, although you may have to leave a message and wait for a call back. Otherwise, please contact a churchwarden.
Sunrise Service
There will be a Sunrise Service on Easter morning at Lower Camp on Pontesford Hill at 6.30 a.m. We will meet in the car park at 6.20 and then walk up to Lower Camp from there. This is a six minute walk at West Highland Terrier pace, gently up hill, although it will take longer if you’re not used to walking in the hills. Don’t forget the clocks!
Good Friday
There is a full programme of services on Good Friday as follows:
Children’s Service at 10 a.m. at St George’s
Prayers and readings at 12 noon at Hope
The Last Hour at the cross at 2 p.m. at Shelve
Service of Witness at 2.45 p.m. at School Green, Pontesbury
Tenebrae at 7 p.m. on HTM
Easter Sunday
6.30 Sunrise Service at Lower Camp
9 a.m. Holy Communion at Snailbeach & Hope
10.30 a.m. Holy Communion at Pontesbury, Habberley & Minsterley
Evening Prayer – A weekly service of Evening Prayer is held at Holy Trinity Minsterley at 5 p.m. on Mondays.
Next week
There will be no newsletter next week because of the post Easter holidays.
Normal service will be resumed in two weeks time.
Tea Service
The monthly Tea Service, a said communion service lasting half an hour, followed by tea and cake, takes place at St George’s next Tuesday, April 2nd at 2.30 p.m. All welcome.
Snailbeach Coffee Morning
Coffee Morning at Snailbeach Village Hall
Saturday 6th. April 2024 for St. Lukes Church 10am till 12.
Cakes stall, tombola, raffle.
A friendly welcome to all.
Joan Evans – 01743 791374
Clocks
Don’t forget that the clocks Spring forward this weekend and arrive at church an hour early!
April 28th
Please note that the service pattern on Sunday April 28th will be different in Minsterley and Pontesbury. The 10.30 service at St George’s will celebrate St George’s Day, with the uniformed groups in attendance; and will not be eucharistic. There will therefore a short said communion service at 12 noon. This will be followed by the APCM. People are welcome to attend any combination of these three events. In Minsterley that day, we will launch Tea-Time church at 4 p.m. at Minsterley Parish Hall, with no service in the morning.
Calendar for the Week
28th March
Maundy Thursday service at HTM at 7pm
Good Friday
Children’s activities at St George’s at 10 a.m.
Prayers and readings at 12 noon at Hope
The Last Hour at the cross at 2 p.m. at Shelve
Service of Witness at 2.45 p.m. at School Green, Pontesbury
Tenebrae at 7 p.m. on HTM
Sat 30th
Minsterley Easter Trail
Easter Day
Sunrise Service at Lower Camp at 6.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Snailbeach & Hope at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Pontesbury, Habberley & Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Tues 2nd
Foodbank at HTM 10-12
Tea Service at 2.30 p.m.
Weds 3rd
Coffee Hub at HTM 10-12
Thurs 4th
Foodbank at St George’s from 10-12
Fri 5th
Coffee Stop at St George’s from 10-12
Sat 6th
Snailbeach Coffee morning at Village Hall 10-12
Funeral of Ronald Crowther 12 noon at Holy Trinity, Hope
Sun 7th
Holy Communion at Shelve at 9 a.m.
Family Service at St George’s at 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Evensong at Habberley at 5 p.m.
Sat 13th
Repair Shop at St George’s 10-12
Sun 14th
Holy Communion at Hope at 9 a.m.
Morning Prayer at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
