LENT GROUPS Will Happen As Follows
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THE NEWSLETTER AT THE ROOTS OF THE GRAND UNION BENEFICE OF BLISWORTH AND STOKE BRUERNE/ SHUTLANGER, WITH GRAFTON REGIS, ALDERTON AND MILTON MALSOR September 2019 www.grassnews.co.uk - 1 - Volume 39, Issue 9 Pastoral Letter Dear All, I come to you all with a theme of ‘thanks’ having come back from summer holiday, where Sarah and I experienced the delights of the east coast of Yorkshire and a little of the moors. It was a first for us. Between Robin Hood’s bay, Whitby and many other places, we had a wonderful time. We also visited Rievaulx Abbey, which you can see in the picture. This is a truly special place to visit. Tucked in a tranquil valley of the North York Moors, you completely understand why the Cistercian monks built it there. The peace and tranquillity really lets you be who you are - to just ‘be’ in God’s presence. I also love these little cheeky chappies, who at one point would have adorned part of the building! We walk into September hopefully refreshed from the summer and with a great deal to be excited about and thankful for. On 9 September, we welcome Canon Richard Stainer as our new Rector for the Benefice. The service is at St Mary the Virgin Church, Stoke Bruerne at 7.30 p m. We would love to see as many of you as possible come to welcome Richard and his family and to give thanks for his ministry. Please pray for him as he prepares for that ministry. It is a full and rewarding ministry including leadership, teaching and pastoral care; of being a servant and shepherd amongst us all and in fostering the gifts of all God’s people. These are just a few of the aspects a priest is called to be and I know he would delight in sharing with anyone much more about his work as a priest. But Richard cannot and doesn’t do it all himself. God calls many to service in His church, fulfilling many roles. The last 6 months has been testament to exactly that. Your churches and communities have come together, continuing to do great things, moving forwards, in caring for each other and in serving others. My thanks go to all who have done so much over this period; it is greatly appreciated by so many and by Richard. My last ‘thanks’ - I always find the summer a period of relaxation and reflection. Moving forwards there is so much to be thankful for, but can I also encourage us all to place the focus on everyone else. So often nowadays, we’re asked “Are you well?” and will reply “I’m well”. Give thanks for everything we have and move forwards placing the focus on others. Try consciously replying with “I’m well if you are”. You will be surprised where it takes you and others! Every blessing, Peter, Ordinand. Service Schedule for September 2019 Sunday 1 September Sunday 15 September 9.30 a m: Holy Communion, Milton Malsor (Rev’d Sylvia Coles) 8.00 a m: Holy Communion, BCP, Blisworth 9.30 a m: Morning Worship, Shutlanger 9.30 a m: Holy Communion, CW, Milton Malsor (Rev’d Canon 11.00 a m: Morning Worship, Blisworth Richard Stainer) Sunday 8 September 11.00 a m: Holy Communion, Grafton Regis (Harvest Festival) 9.30 a m: Holy Communion, Stoke Bruerne 11.00 a m: Morning Worship, Blisworth (Harvest Festival, Peter 9.30 a m: Morning Worship, Milton Malsor (Rev’d Malcolm Deacon) Heffron) 11.00 a m, Holy Communion, Blisworth Sunday 22 September 9.30 a m: Morning Worship (Harvest Festival – Rev’d Malcolm Deacon) 9.30 a m: Holy Communion, Alderton (Harvest Festival) 11.00 a m: Holy Communion, CW, Blisworth Sunday 29 September United Benefice service, Grafton Regis, 10.30 a m Every Wednesday: 9.30 a m, Morning Prayer, Blisworth and Milton Malsor Useful Telephone Numbers for the United Benefice of Blisworth and Stoke Bruerne with Grafton Regis, Alderton and Milton Malsor Churchwardens of Blisworth: Mrs Fiona McKenzie, tel 01604 859541 and Mrs Angela Cheesebrough, tel 01604 858059 Churchwardens of Stoke Bruerne: Mrs Christine Frost, tel 01604-862561 and Mr Lee Arnfield, tel 01604 864553 Churchwardens of Grafton Regis: Mrs Jean Glanville, tel 01908 543463 and Lord Charles Fitzroy, tel 01908 Churchwarden of Alderton: Mrs Amanda Selvey, tel 01327 811380. Churchwardens of Milton Malsor: Mrs Jane Treharne, tel 01604 858323 and Mrs Sue Bell, tel 01327 351043 VILLAGE NEWS Monday Group We are a group who have sadly lost someone we loved deeply, and if you also have suffered the same sadness, we would welcome you to join us. We meet in Milton Malsor church on the first Monday of each month from 2.00 p m to 3.30 p m. We have refreshments, chat and an occasional speaker. If you come along you will not find us a miserable group, but a friendly, welcoming group. Geoffrey Goswell, tel 01604701572. September 2019 www.grassnews.co.uk - 2 - Volume 39, Issue 9 STOKE BRUERNE Could you Deliver GRASS around Part of Stoke Bruerne? Diane Whitby has been delivering GRASS around the Wentworth Way area of GRASS for the last 25 years or so and now feels that it is time for her to step down from this task. She will deliver this September issue but is there anybody who could take over from her? Could you please contact her or Alison Jones so that arrangements can be made for distribution? Diane’s number is 01604 863719, and Alison’s is 01604 863598 or email [email protected]. It is not an onerous task and is only once a month. We would be very grateful. In the meantime, thanks must be extended to Diane Whitby, who has done a sterling job over the years. Canal Partnership Our Adoption Group is very busy at present keeping on top of the continuous growth of grass, hedges and brambles within our area. Whenever conditions permit we have been painting lock beams and furniture; we have been fortunate to have had some corporate groups coming to give their help, which enabled the footbridge at Lower Locks to be given a much needed face lift recently. We hope you have been enjoying the flower tubs and planting around the museum and are grateful to kind residents who keep them watered. Longer term, we are working up plans and sourcing funding to enable the far end of the Woodland Walk to be improved. We were much saddened during August to receive the news of the passing of Sam Samuells, one of the Adoption Group’s original volunteers and a resident continually supportive of all the Partnership does. We will remember Sam with much affection and gratitude and extend all our sympathies to Lynda and family. The Canal Partnership is continuing to have discussions and input into the plans which the Canal River Trust is making to improve the visitor experience for those who come to Stoke Bruerne. We were pleased to see the start of these when the toilet facilities were upgraded in the spring and the old pond dipping signs down at the Lock 17 side ponds were renewed. We look forward to future improvements. We are delighted that the Over and Under the Hill boat trip/walk planned for 30 August has already been a sell-out success and are sure it will be an enjoyable evening for all concerned. Many thanks to Stoke Bruerne Boat Company for organising this event and to our voluntary walk leaders on the day. On 30 October, in half term week, we will again be organising another Big Draw event on the Green. The theme this year is ‘Drawn to Life’ which should give plenty of scope in this colourful, busy setting. Don’t forget – everyone is invited, whatever their age or ability and it is entirely free! Helen Westlake, Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership St Mary the Virgin Parish Church Coffee Morning The church held its summer coffee morning on Saturday 10 August. Despite the rather miserable day outside, there was a warm and friendly atmosphere inside. Some of our regular visitors were unable to attend on this occasion, but we were delighted to welcome newcomers who have moved into the villages of Stoke Bruerne and Shutlanger and hope they will come again. One late comer received a spontaneous round of applause when she arrived! It was Reverend Sue Cooper, who found time in her busy schedule, to come and see us. It was lovely to catch up with her. Also there were the ladies who created the commemorative wall hanging for the church. They had produced beautiful Christmas cards, depicting the design, to sell and raise funds for the church. These proved to be extremely popular. We are very grateful to the ladies involved. Many thanks also, to all the kind and generous people who provided cakes, who gave up their time to help and who supported the event. Our next coffee morning is on Saturday 9 November from 10.00 a m to 12.00 noon. We are hoping that “ReChoired” will be performing favourite war time songs on that occasion, as our Remembrance Sunday service is the following day. The Church and the Community It is worth mentioning that as someone was leaving the church they commented that the church coffee mornings aren’t just about raising money. They offer an opportunity for the community to come together, for people to meet and chat and make new friends. Someone else added it was the only time they got to catch up with people they hadn’t seen for a while, even though they live in the same village! This is exactly what we were hoping to achieve! We have a few other events planned which we hope the community will get involved in.