Newsletter 28th June 2024
Dear Friends,
The other day the old Hope School next to the Village Hall was open for people to visit, prior to its demolition. Many people went to relive memories of their time there, as pupils, parents or staff. There were books available for people to write their reminiscences, as well as a display of photos and memorabilia, with some familiar names and faces, not just from that building opened in 1970, but also from the previous school building, next to Hope church, built in the 1840’s. This got me thinking about my own schooldays, trying to work out whether some of what I think are my memories could possibly be true. I have a clear memory of watching a steam train on the railway line next to my primary school, but now wonder if the ‘memory’ is actually something my father told me happened to him, since by my school days the trains were on that line were diesel. Our memories of the past may sometimes be less clear and accurate than we assume. Only God understands everything about us. The pastoral theologian John Swinton talks about God’s ‘memory’. Even when we struggle to remember things, or our loved ones do, God’s memory holds us and remembers who we are. We are who we are because God remembers us. The Psalmist wrote of God’s knowledge of us as too great to understand, and a sign of God’s presence with us. He knows who we are, not who we think we are or were. God watches over us, knows us intimately, and will never forget us.
Rev Fran
Golden Caster Sugar
I have been provided with a 25kg bag of golden caster sugar, if anyone is baking for church events and needs sugar then please do come and grab some.
Richard Lonsdale
Minsterley Show
The Minsterley Show is back again on the 17th of August, and we need people to start making delicious cakes! If you think you can bake some cakes and pop them in the freezer then please do start as your support is very much appreciated! This is a big fundraiser for Holy Trinity and our stall is very much appreciated by the show attendees due to our reasonable prices – we can keep our prices down due to the fact that cakes and sandwiches are donated. Keep the date in your diary and on your marks, get, set, bake!
The show ground is situated 5 miles Southwest of Shrewsbury on the B4386, Shrewsbury to Westbury Road. SatNav users should input SY5 8PW as the postcode.
Van Morgan
Van’s funeral will take place at Holy Trinity on Friday July 12th at 10 a.m. followed by a reception at the Crown & Sceptre.
Garden Service
Everyone is warmly invited to the Garden Service hosted by Pontesbury Congregational Church on Sunday August 11th at 2.30 p.m. If anyone is willing and able to represent St George’s at a planning meeting on the evening of Thursday July 18th, please let Greg know.
Romans Course
A course on the Book of Romans, St Paul’s great masterpiece, continues on Monday July 8th at 7 p.m. at the Deanery, Pontesbury.
Greg’s birthday party
Greg is hosting a 64th birthday party at Minsterley Parish Hall on Saturday July 27th at 7 p.m. and you are invited. Yes, that means you if you are reading this. It is planned that it should be a bring and share supper, and Mary Worrall worrallwaverley@hotmail.co.uk has kindly offered to coordinate this. Please advise Mary of what you’re intending to bring. I do understand that it’s the start of the summer holidays, and many will not be able to attend, but it would be lovely to see as many of our Shropshire friends as possible (there is only a small handful of others coming from elsewhere).
Group Service
St Mary’s Habberley will be hosting our Group Service on Sunday June 30th at the usual time of 10.30 a.m. All welcome, especially those who have never enjoyed a service at Habberley before. Please note the limited parking in Habberley and arrange to share transport if you can.
Tea Service
The monthly Tea Service, hosted by St George’s takes place this Tuesday followed by tea and cake, 2nd July at 2.30 p.m.
Countryside Church (Mitchell’s Fold)
There will be an outdoor Midsummer service at the Stone Circle (Mitchell’s Fold) – Sunday 30th June at 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
Holiday Club
The St George’s Holiday Club is scheduled for the week commencing July 22nd and volunteers have been working very hard to get ready for it. We now need children to sign up for it, which they have been reluctant to do up to now. Would you therefore please pray hard about this, that the church will be full of children that week.
Praise Evening
Our next Praise Evening takes place at 7 p.m. on Tues July 8th at St George’s. All welcome to come along.
Rea Valley Foodbank Appeal
Rea Valley Foodbank has been operating for more than 18 months, supplying food to families in need in the Rea Valley area (Pontesbury, Minsterley and surrounding villages). During that period, we have been working in partnership with Foodbank Plus, the Shrewsbury Foodbank, run by Barnabas Church. Foodbank Plus has provided a storage facility and supplemented our parcels, and as a result we have been able to feed over 200 clients.
From September, our partnership is coming to an end, and RVF will be operating independently to be more responsive to clients’ needs, often quite different from those approaching a town-based foodbank. Our vision is one of local people being supported by local people. To this end, we estimate we need additional income of £150 per month to be able to feed all our clients. We are therefore launching a community appeal, inviting our supporters to pledge £5 or £10 a month to ensure we can continue to operate and provide food for families in need.
At this stage, we are looking for pledges rather than cash so that we can plan effectively. Offers of pledges should be sent to Greg Smith at rectorpontstip@gmail.com or by calling 07902 794653.
Youth Camp
We are taking a bunch of young people from both Pontesbury and Minsterley away next weekend for an overnight youth camp at Condover. Please cover this potentially lifechanging event with prayer.
Calendar for the Week
Fri 28th
Coffee Stop at St George’s from 10-12
Sat 29th
Baptism of Max Franklin at St George’s at 1.30 p.m.
Sun 30th
Group Service at Habberley at 10.30 a.m.
Countryside Church atMitchell’s Fold at 6.00 p.m.
Mon 1st July
Youth Café at HTM at 3.30 p.m.
Tues 2nd
Foodbank at Minsterley 10-12
Little Dragons at St George’s 10-11.30 a.m.
Tea Service at 2.30 p.m. at St George’s
Ichthus at 2.30 p.m. at Waterwheel
Weds 3rd
Coffee Hub at HTM 10-12.
Pontesbury Standing Ctte at 1 p.m. in WER
Youth Café at Pontesbury Baptist Church at 3.20 p.m.
Rea Valley Prayer Group at 7 p.m. at Hove-to
Thurs 4th
Pontesbury Foodbank 10-12 noon
Trinity Tots at HTM 10-11.30 a.m.
Treasurers’ meeting at Pontesbury, WER at 2 p.m.
Sat 6th
Wedding of Holly & Rob at 12 noon
Sun 7th
Holy Communion at Shelve at 9 a.m.
Family Worship at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.
Holy Communion at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.
Evensong at Habberley at 5 p.m.
