Newsletter 16th August 2024
Pontesbury & Stiperstones
Family of Churches
Newsletter
16th August 2024
Dear friends
I am pleased to report that having stepped on the scales this morning that I lost 0.2 of a lb while on our fortnight’s summer holiday. This may not seem much of an achievement, but if I tell you that we ate out most days (otherwise it’s not much of a holiday for Fran!) and that such is my personality, I will never leave a meal unfinished, however dire or large it is, you may be a little more impressed. I don’t think we ate at the same place twice, which meant that I had ample opportunity to assess a wide variety of customer experiences. Two remain uppermost in my mind. Firstly, a pub in Pwllheli that we discovered by accident, where we had lunch. The food was superb, and the staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. However, on our final evening we visited a pub in Abergynolwyn that we have passed many times and looked very attractive from the outside, festooned with brightly coloured flowers. However, the food was desperately poor and sadly the service equally bad. We will heartily recommend one of these to any interested friends and issue warnings about the other.
The comparisons with church bear consideration. People come for one thing (the food or the worship) and they will make a judgment about the quality of it, but they will also take note and speak to their friends about the quality of the welcome, whether people smiled at them or went out of their way to be helpful. I hope and pray you feel you can recommend your church to your friends, both the quality of the spiritual nourishment and the warmth of the welcome.
Little Dragons and Trinity Tots
We continue to look for additional volunteers to supplement our new Little Dragon and Trinity Tots teams. Please speak to Greg, Val or Sarah Young if you would like to know more.
Pet Service
Habberley is hosting a Pet Service on Sunday September 8th at 3 p.m. outside the Village Hall. All reasonably well-behaved pets are welcome. The service will be followed by refreshments in the hall. All welcome.
Garden Service
Thanks to everyone who attended the Garden Service at Pontesbury Congregational Church last Sunday. By all accounts, a powerful service and a good turnout.
Romans Course
A course on the Book of Romans, St Paul’s great masterpiece, continues on Monday August 19th at 7 p.m. at The Deanery
Health Survey
Shropshire Council is reviewing health provision via a community survey (see the link below). It’s important that our voices are heard if we want the best provision available. Please make time to do this if you’re able.
Service of Meditation
A new Ignatian style service is to be launched at St George’s on Sunday September 8th at 7 p.m. The service entails opportunities for prayer and reflection as well as refreshments served. Everyone welcome.
Greg’s birthday party
A belated thanks to all those who attended Greg’s birthday party on the 28th, and many thanks for the cards and best wishes. £160 was given by way of donations to Rea Valley Foodbank, which has been very gratefully received.
Ride and Stride
The annual sponsored walk raising funds for our churches and the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust will take place on Saturday Sept 14th. This year the plan is to walk around the six churches of the group so that walkers can do as many or as few legs as they are able. If you want to walk for Pontesbury, please speak to Stephen Winwood, for Minsterley to Sarah Edwards and for Hope/Shelve Fran Brealey. If anyone would like to be an organiser for Habberley, please speak to Greg.
Hope Summer Praise
On the third Sunday of the month, over the summer months at 2.30 p.m. there will be a service at Hope Village Hall, continuing this Sunday, August 18th. We hope to attract new worshippers but would encourage all our folk to come along to support this new venture.
Congratulations
And best wishes to Rosie Winter, who is being baptised during the main service at St George’s this Sunday.
Group Service
Please note that the next Group Service will be at Shelve at 10.30 a.m. on Sunday August 25th
Rea Valley Foodbank
Rea Valley Foodbank agreed that it will go independent from 1st October, thanks to the wonderful generosity offered by so many of our supporters. We are grateful to Foodbank Plus in Shrewsbury for its generous partnership over the first 18 months of our existence, but we are now ready to say: Rea Valley people are feeding their own. We are also grateful to Minsterley Parish Hall for the offer of a food store. Please contact Greg if you wish to become a supporter.
Richard & Claire
Please note that Richard & Claire will be on holiday from 19th August to 1st September inclusive. All enquiries should be addressed to Greg or the relevant churchwardens.
Calendar for the Week
Fri 16th
Coffee Stop at St George’s from 10 a.m.
Sat 17th
The Minsterley Show
Wedding of Chester & Claire at St George’s at 12
Sun 18th
Morning Prayer at Shelve at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Minsterley Praise at HTM at 10.30 a.m.
Hope Summer Service at Hope Village Hall at 2.30 p.m.
Holy Communion at Habberley at 5 p.m.
Mon 19th
Romans Bible Study at The Deanery at 7 p.m.
Tues 20th
Foodbank at Minsterley 10-12
Weds 21st
Standing Ctte at St George’s at 9.30 a.m.
Coffee Hub at HTM 10-12.
Pontesbury Festival planning group at 6.30 p.m. at the Pavilion
Thurs 22nd
Pontesbury Foodbank 10-12 noon
Sun 25th
Group Service at Shelve at 10.30 a.m.
