Newsletter 13th December 2024
Pontesbury & Stiperstones
Family of Churches
Newsletter
13th December 2024
Dear Friends,
“The car is in the garage (again), this time because the MpG is dropping precipitously for some mysterious reason – I expect the mechanics will chew their bottom lip, suck their teeth and then tell me that some rare but vital part needs to be replaced. But the good news is I finally got around to walking Indy up Whitwell Lane and round the back of Pontesbury Hill which was very pleasant, even in the mud – definitely one for the summer! Can someone tell me what the old church was on the right (as you come down!) near the bottom of the hill, just before coming onto Brookside, it is now a house but looks like an old Assembly Room, there’s a stone cross in the garden.
Old, abandoned churches make me sad, I think of Arnold’s famous poem “Dover Beach”, or maybe Larkin’s “Church Going”, and if I am especially maudlin then I start to wonder how long our own churches have left (it’s the time of the year, ask my wife!). We’ll be busy soon, full of Christmas cheer and bustle, but as we come into 2025 then things die down again, and while I am encouraged and amazed at the life of our churches, the love in them, the constant ability to “turn up”, there is no doubt that we need to be praying for our communities, that the good news of jesus Christ will touch their hearts and how God can use us in that great calling!
Of course, in so many ways the work is beyond us, we need a move of God’s Spirit in Pontesbury, Minsterley and across the Stiperstones. However, as we await the coming of the Christ Child we can take time out each day to pray for God to move. Can I encourage you, as an Advent activity, to pray specifically for three friends or neighbours, that they might come to church this Christmas and be touched by the call of God?”
Rev. Richard Lonsdale
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.
The Gathering
The regular gathering from across the Deanery that meets for praise and prayer at Marton Village Hall meets for the last time this year on Tuesday with refreshments served at 7 and worship beginning at 7.30 p.m.
Blue Christmas
Minsterley Methodist Church are hosting Blue Christmas next Thursday at 3.30 p.m. This is a time of quiet and reflection for those who find the manic festivities difficult.
Christmas Tree Festival
Many thanks to all those who supported the Pontesbury Christmas Tree Festival and to Marianne, the chief organiser. There was a wonderful atmosphere and despite atrocious weather conditions, something in the region of £2,500 was made over the weekend.
Christmas Fair thanks
A huge thank you everyone who baked, made, sold raffle tickets, sponsored, donated, played, helped set up/take down, worked on the stalls and in the kitchen, booked tables, braved the wind and rain to attend and worked so hard to make the fair a success.
Minsterley Christmas Fair
The Minsterley Christmas Fair was a great success again this year, with £2300 raised for church funds. Thanks to all those who staffed stalls and the kitchen, with special thanks to Sarah Edwards for all her hard work as organiser.
Oasis
Oasis, our bereavement support group has marked another year of supporting those passing through a time of grief, encouraging both those who have only very recently lost loved ones, as well as those for whom the bereavement is a little further away, but still keenly felt. Thanks to Fran, Heather and the team from six churches in Pontesbury & Minsterley.
Christmas Lunches in Minsterley
We have had an offer of free Christmas lunches for any resident of Minsterley who would like a lunch delivered on the day. If you know anyone, please ask them first, and then let Greg know asap.
Evening Prayer
A reminder that there is a short service of Evening Prayer at Holy Trinity Minsterley every Monday at 5 p.m.
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
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.
Little Dragons
There may yet be hope for the future of Little Dragons. Thanks to Aimee for stepping forward. We will still need more volunteers. Please speak to Greg if you would like to know more.
Carols with Stiperstones Brass Band Sunday 15th December
Come and join with the congregation from HTM on Sunday 15th December at 730pm when Stiperstones Brass Band will be playing all your favourite carols on the Crown and Sceptre bank. Wrap up warm and get into the festive spirit! Everyone is welcome.
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.
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
Monday Bible Study Group
The bible study series on The Lord’s Prayer will take a break over Christmas, reconvening in the New year on Jan 6th. The venue for this is 4 Parry Drive on Young’s Way in Pontesbury. Anyone is welcome to join us.
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 13th Dec
Coffee Stop 10-12
Sat 14th
Eisteddfod Concert at St George’s at 7 p.m.
Sun 15th
Holy Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Minsterley Praise at 10.30 a.m. at HTM
Christingle at Shelve at 4 p.m.
Group Carol Service at St George’s at 7 p.m.
Carol singing at the Crown & Sceptre at 7.30 p.m.
Mon 16th
Carol Singing at Hillcrest at 11 a.m.
Minsterley Youth Café at 3.30 p.m.
Evening Prayer at HTM at 5 p.m.
Tues 17th
Foodbank at Minsterley 10-12
Little Dragons at St George’s 10-11.30 a.m.
The Gathering at Marton Village Hall at 7 p.m.
Weds 18th
Coffee Hub at HTM 10-12.
Carol Singing at Cliffdale at 11 a.m.
Christingle & Carols at 7 p.m.
Thurs 19th
Pontesbury Foodbank 10-12 noon
Blue Christmas at Minsterley Methodist Chapel at 3.30
Sat 21st
Messy Christmas at St George’s at 3 p.m.
Sun 22nd
Holy Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Carol Service at Hope Church at 3 p.m.
Tues 24th
Carol Service at Habberley at 5 p.m.
Carols on the Green at 6 p.m. in Pontesbury
Midnight Communion at 11 p.m. in Pontesbury
Weds 25th
Holy Communion at Snailbeach at 9 a.m.
Holy Communion at Shelve at 9.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Habberley at 10.30 a.m.
