Newsletter 29th November 2024
Pontesbury & Stiperstones
Family of Churches
Newsletter
29th November 2024
Dear Friends,
I think the worst day of my life was my dad’s last day. Seeing him die at home, staying awake with him all through the night as he succumbed to leukaemia was an experience of nightmares. The system let him down. Having received all kinds of assurances of the support and help that would be available when the end came, it transpired that this didn’t include weekends, and so when his final hours arrived in the early hours of Remembrance Sunday, it took far too long for the morphine to arrive and be administered, finally bringing him some peace after many hours of terrible suffering. Most people will bring their own experiences to bear on the assisted dying debate. And everyone will interpret those experiences according to their character, values and religious beliefs. My own conclusion from my dad’s experience is that the last thing the National Health Service needs right now is one more morally contentious thing to do. The hospice movement in this country should be a source of incredible pride, and ought to be invested in heavily. I personally believe that this is the best way forward. I also believe that as much as I like to be in control (you’ve noticed?) there are some things that are best left to God.
The Benefice Council recently agreed that from the beginning of January there will be a new pattern of services across our benefices:
1st and 3rd Sundays at St George & Holy Communion at 10.30
2nd and 4th Sundays at HTM Holy Communion at 10.30
1st Sunday at Minsterley: Tea-time service at 4 p.m.
2nd Sunday at Pontesbury: Morning Worship at 10.30
3rd Sunday at Minsterley: Minsterley Praise at 10/10.30
4th Sunday at Pontesbury: Family Service at 10.30
2nd Sunday at Habberley: Evensong at 5 p.m.
4th Sunday at Habberley: Holy Communion at 5 p.m.
Services at Hope and Shelve will remain unchanged.
Evening Prayer
A reminder that there is a short service of Evening Prayer at Holy Trinity Minsterley every Monday at 5 p.m.
Tea Service
The monthly short communion service at St George’s takes place this coming Tuesday at 2.30 p.m. This service is designed for all those who can’t get to church on a Sunday or can’t sit in pews or for long periods of time. A warm welcome for everyone.
Little Dragons
The Little Dragons team have done exceptionally well over their first term. However, one of their number is having to go back to work and two leaders are insufficient for the group to continue. If it is not to close at Christmas, we badly need another volunteer or two. Time is of the essence since DBS checks will have to be undertaken. Please let Greg know if you want to know more.
Survey
A reminder to all those who attend St George’s (regularly or irregularly) that we would very much value your completing the survey that was sent out a couple of weeks ago. Please either return to Greg or the address shown on the survey. If you can’t locate a copy, contact Emma at officepontstip@gmail.com
Shrewsbury Youth for Christ
Shrewsbury Youth for Christ, who do wonderful work in Mary Webb School and in the villages is looking to increase its database of prayer supporters. To sign up would mean receiving a monthly prayer letter. Let Greg know if you would like to receive this.
Volunteer Drivers
Rea Valley Foodbank which relaunched successfully on October 1st is looking for volunteer drivers to transport food from the store at Minsterley Parish Hall to Holy Trinity on Tuesdays and St George’s on Thursdays. Please speak to Greg asap if you think you may be able to help with this.
Mary Webb Governor
After three years as a governor at Mary Webb School, Greg is standing down. However, the school would still appreciate a church representative. This doesn’t have to be a member of St George’s Church, but anyone with an interest in secondary education from any of our churches. If interested, please contact Greg.
Esperanza
News from Chile this week is not so good – Espe has had to be readmitted to hospital. We don’t know exact details as yet but she’s in a lot of pain. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.
If you would like to help the family financially since the operation has to be paid for, there is a go fund me page, which also has further details of Espe’s condition: https://gofund.me/02b125c6
A Church Near You
Holy Trinity Minsterley is looking for a volunteer to maintain its A Church Near You page. If you think you might be able to help, contact Sarah Edwards sarahedwards90@hotmail.com
Mince Pies
Would anyone be prepared to make mince pies for foodbank clients for Christmas? We would need them for w/c Dec 16th. Please contact Simon Thompson at ThompsonS686@gmail.com if able to help with this.
Christmas Tree Festival
The Pontesbury Christmas Tree Festival starts next Friday and is open at St George’s to visitors through the weekend.
St George’s Church Pontesbury on Friday 5th 10- 6pm Saturday 6th 10-6 pm and Sunday 7th 12-4pm of December
Songs of Praise
Everyone is cordially invited to a Songs of Praise service at Pontesbury Baptist Church on Sunday December 1st at 6.30 p.m.
HTM Christmas Fair
Can all sold and unsold raffle tickets be given to Sarah or dropped at Marie and Colin’s no later than Wednesday 4th December.
We’ll be setting up from 2:00pm on Friday 6th December so any help that can be given then would be much appreciated.
Minsterley Christmas Fair
Our annual Christmas fair takes place on 7 December from noon – 3.30pm at Minsterley Parish Hall. If you’ve not already been nabbed, we’re looking for volunteers on the day plus donations for the tombola, craft stall and cake stall. We also need Christmas trees to decorate the hall. Contact Sarah on sarahedwards90@hotmail.com or 07971984925.
Monday Bible Study Group
The new bible study series on The Lord’s Prayer continues fortnightly. The venue for this is 4 Parry Drive on Young’s Way in Pontesbury, continuing on December 9th at 7 p.m. with thanks to Lynda Munton our hostess. Anyone is welcome to join us.
From Darkness to Light
‘From Darkness to Light’ is a musical written in 2019 that has been revised and extended on its five-year anniversary. It tells the Christmas story from a fresh perspective, including more unusual characters that don’t normally get included (such as Zechariah and Elizabeth!), and shares a new perspective on the refugee aspects of Jesus’ early life.
The show is being performed by the Shrewsbury Theatre Singers and is on Saturday 21st December at Bayston Hill Methodist Church at 7pm (with a preview performance at Yockleton Church on Sunday 15th December at 4pm).
The original show was performed in three towns/venues, including Hereford Cathedral, and is suitable for all ages. Tickets are available here: https://www.kscleaton.co.uk/event-details/from-darkness-to-light-a-musical
The Gathering
The monthly gathering of Christians from across the Deanery for praise and prayer which is hosted at 7.p.m. Marton Village Hall. as follows:
17 December 2024
21 January 2025
17 February 2025
18 March 2025
WW2 80th Anniversary
To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War next year, we’d like to feature your recollections throughout the 2025 Minsterley Parish Magazines. These can be a memory of the war years as a whole, of VE/VJ Day, family history etc. They don’t need to be specifically Minsterley or even Shropshire centred – we’re excited to hear about wherever you were.
Pieces can be from 50 to 500 words. We can include an image though it will appear in black and white. Any image should be your own (rather than taken from the internet).
Please send your pieces to Sarah Edwards (sarahedwards90@hotmail.com) or David Young (minsterleyparishmagazine@gmail.com) and watch out for what we hope will be a really interesting feature for 2025.
Calendar for the Week – December
Fri 29th Nov
Coffee Stop at St George’s from 10 a.m.
Sun 1st Dec
Holy Communion at Shelve at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Family Service at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Evensong at Habberley at 5 p.m.
Songs of Praise at Pontesbury Baptist Church at 6.30 p.m.
Mon 2nd
Minsterley Youth Café at 3.30 p.m.
Tues 3rd
Foodbank at Minsterley 10-12
Little Dragons at St George’s 10-11.30 a.m.
Ichthus at Waterwheel at 2.30 p.m.
Rea Valley Prayer Group at 7 p.m. at Hove-to, The Gravels
Weds 4th
Coffee Hub at HTM 10-12.
Minsterley PCC at 7 p.m. at Minsterley Vicarage
Thurs 5th
Pontesbury Foodbank 10-12 noon
Trinity Tots at HTM 10-11.30 a.m.
Snailbeach Committee at 3.30 p.m. at Ash Lea
Fri 6th
Pontesbury Christmas Tree Festival begins
Sat 7th
Minsterley Christmas Fair from 12-3.30 p.m.
Sun 8th
Holy Communion at Hope at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Morning Worship at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Service of Meditation at Longden at 7 p.m.
