Newsletter 6th December 2024
Pontesbury & Stiperstones
Family of Churches
Newsletter
6th December 2024
Dear Friends,
Habberley is experiencing digital poverty at the moment, which is another way to say that the internet has gone down across the village. That means the people of Habberley may not be reading this, but my thoughts and prayers are with them. Those I have spoken to are outraged with the customer service that their provider hasn’t provided. Not to rub salt into the wounds, but I can’t help being reminded of the occasion thirty years ago, when our previous West Highland Terrier puppy chewed through the telephone cable leaving us without a telephone for three days. I didn’t think three days was too bad a wait and was grateful to the BT engineer who came out to fix it. I had expected to be billed for the repair, since it was our fault (or at least our dog’s fault), so was pleasantly surprised a few days later to receive a £30 cheque by way of compensation!
I am not for a moment suggesting that BT provide that sort of customer service these days, but I would like to point out that we do have an advocate, a helper that we can turn to at any time, who will always give us full attention immediately, is endlessly sympathetic to our complaints and will meet us in our time of need. Psalm 34: “This poor soul called and the LORD heard”
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.
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.
Christmas Tree Festival
The Pontesbury Christmas Tree Festival starts this 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
Minsterley Christmas Fair
The annual HTM Christmas Fair takes place on Saturday (7 December) from 12pm – 330pm at Minsterley Parish Hall. There’ll be crafts, cakes, toys, games, raffles and tombola, lots of local makers, Santa’s grotto and amazing refreshments. Entry is free and all are welcome.
Christmas Fair raffle books
Can ALL raffle books (sold and unsold) and money be returned to Marie or Sarah by Saturday morning please.
Service of Meditation
There will be our regular service of meditation shared with Longden Church, at Longden on Sunday, 8th Dec at 7 p.m. All welcome.
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.
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.
Little Dragons
Further to the message last week, we have had no takers for the Little Dragons leadership, and so sadly after many years, the group will close after its Christmas party on the 17th. Huge thanks to Leah, Mandy and Helen who worked hard to try and keep the group going.
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 6th Dec
Christmas Tree Festival until Sunday
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.
Mon 9th
Minsterley Youth Café at 3.30 p.m.
Lord’s Prayer at 4 Parry Drive at 7 p.m.
Tues 10th
Foodbank at Minsterley 10-12
Little Dragons at St George’s 10-11.30 a.m.
Oasis Christmas Party at 12 noon at Minsterley Methodist Church
Weds 11th
Coffee Hub at HTM 10-12.
Pontesbury School Service at St George’s at 2 p.m
Thurs 12th
Pontesbury Foodbank 10-12 noon
Trinity Tots at HTM 10-11.30 a.m.
Funeral of Keri Morris at Snailbeach at 1 p.m.
Messy Church at HTM at 3.30 p.m.
Sat 14th
Eisteddfod Concert at St George’s
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.
