HEXAD May 2020 the Newsletter for the United Benefice of Hallaton and Allexton, with Horninghold, Tugby, East Norton, and Slawston
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HEXAD May 2020 The Newsletter for the United Benefice of Hallaton and Allexton, with Horninghold, Tugby, East Norton, and Slawston Church in Lockdown Whilst our buildings are closed the Church in the Benefice, Deanery, Diocese and Worldwide is flourishing. As Archbishop Justin Welby has remarked Church is just being done differently. The Diocescan web page : https://www.leicester.anglican.org/ shares a new video message from Bishop Martyn every week as well as on their Facebook, Twitter and Youtube channels Local papers are publishing details of local on line services The Church of England web page https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/ church-online has a weekly streamed Sunday Service. Prayers in Lockdown The Church of England has produced a booklet, 'Prayers for use during the CoronaVirus outbreak'. It can be downloaded from: https:// www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/church-online A prayer from the booklet. Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful.to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love, for your Priest in Charge: Rev Canon Cynthia Thomson 01858 545847 07740433871 [email protected] www.ourbenefice.btck.co.uk Lockdown : Around the Villages Horninghold. A community spirit is alive, well and flourishing in Horninghold. The Thursday 8.00pm NHS clap is a regular diary event as is the 7.00pm Saturday 'Singalong' when villagers sing the Song of the Week, amplified from one house, jig along, wave and toast each other from a safe distance. Requested songs so far have been, 'Sweet Caroline', 'I Will Survive', 'Yellow Submarine' and 'Amazing Grace'. Meanwhile there has been an endless stream of volunteers collecting and delivering shopping and prescriptions. Special thanks to Jayne Francis and Bruce Aldritt for spending hours in the heat in the churchyard before the regular grass cutting began. Lara Smith has been making sticky backed rainbows, which she has sold in aid of the NHS and her colourful rainbows can be seen in Horninghold windows. Orders have exceeded supplies and Horninghold rainbows will soon be seen in Suffolk, Surrey and Hertfordshire and one is on its way 'Down Under'. Allexton Residents in Allexton seem to be coping reasonably well and communicating by email and social media apps. People with no health issues are supporting those in the community who are having to be shielded by helping with shopping and supplies. We are very lucky to be surrounded by beautiful countryside, so everyone can take their daily exercise along country lanes and footpaths. Shane James organised “Clapping on the Green” to cheer on our NHS. Hallaton is adjusting well to life in lockdown. We feel enormously lucky to be living in the beautiful countryside and able to take our daily exercise and watch as Spring appears. It seems a lifetime ago that we were inundated with so much rain and it’s hugely encouraging to see that the rape is appearing despite it all. Villagers are all supporting each other and shopping for those that are unable to get out themselves. A couple of particularly generous people are providing regular deliveries of fresh fruit and vegetables to those of a certain age. We have a good crop of rainbows in the windows around the village and our applause for the NHS is getting louder every week. Slawston The community spirit is very much alive in Slawston with new village WhatsApp and email networks to keep everyone connected, informed and amused, and to enable the many kind offers of shopping, etc., and the Thursday Clapping is well supported too. Many thanks to everyone for all the new initiatives, and to Kyriakos for cooking delicious Greek dishes so many times a week which he delivers. Our best wishes to our neighbours in the benefice, keeping well and safe. Tugby The wonderful community spirit in Tugby continues albeit slightly differently. At the beginning of the lockdown a Village Support Group was established and a letter put through each door with contact details of people who are happy to get shopping, prescriptions etc. Tugby School, Tugby Ladies Club and the Mum’s group are meeting via video conferencing forums and the Tugby Together Facebook page continues to keep us informed and entertained. Café Ventoux have a shop selling groceries and precooked meals and also do take away meals to order, which are very popular. There are rainbows in windows and chalked on the road all around the village and the Thursday clapping for the NHS is very enthusiastic and gets louder every week! East Norton Blessed by warm, sunny weather and more time to walk and garden, members of our small community have been sharing lockdown tips with each other at a discrete distance whilst out with the dog, weeding, painting or washing windows. In fact for some residents current circumstances have provided a welcome opportunity to get to know neighbours better than before. We too are showing our support for frontline workers on Thursdays and are seeing greater participation and enthusiasm each week. Our support group hasn't been called on as yet, but it's there if needed. Main Street has a colourful supply of chalk rainbows, which thanks to the lack of rain and traffic are lasting well. They are a poignant reminder that frontline workers are the gold at the end of our rainbows. The Hallaton Group Mothers' Union Whilst we were unable to meet physically on 14 April members of the Mothers' Union each lit a candle at 7.30pm and remembered the worldwide organisation and the work of its members around the world. We were due to have had a talk by Margaret Rouse on Modern Day Slavery. Facts about Modern Day Slavery There are more than 136,000 potential victims of modern slavery in the United Kingdom. Forms of modern slavery can include: labour exploitation, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, organ harvesting (being forced or deceived into giving up an organ) See: www.thecleweinitiative.org Our next meeting would have been on Tuesday May 12th when members will again be lighting a candle of hope at 7.30pm Childrens' Lockdown Benefice Quiz 1. Which village has a church dedicated to St Michael and All Angels? 2. Which 2 villages have churches dedicated to St. Peter? 3. Which 2 villages have churches dedicated to All the Saints? 4. Which village has a church dedicated to Saint Thomas a Becket ? 5. When is All Saints Day? 6. Where can you find a carving of St Michael slaying a dragon ? 7. What symbol is associated with St. Peter ? 8. Where is the shrine of St Thomas a Becket ? Email your answers to : [email protected]. There will be a prize for the first correct entry drawn from a hat on May 15th. Make sure you give your name and telephone number! Christian Aid Week. 10 - 16 May Love never fails. Coronavirus impacts all of us. But love unites us all. The planned House to House collections and Big Brekkies Events cannot take place but Christian Aid Week is moving on line and building a vibrant, virtual Christian Aid week with daily, live-streamed worship and a daily Fun Quiz https://www.christianaid.org.uk/about-us/christian-aid-week/coronavirus-guidance Christian Aid Week 2020 is focussing on supporting communities to build earth dams in order to retain water for times of drought Giving can be via the Christian Aid website https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/ key-appeals/christian-aid-week or by calling 020 7523 2226 or by posting a donation to the local Christian Aid organiser Rose Williams 38 Willow Crescent, Market Harborough, LE16 9DT Thank you for your generosity. Lost: one gold cross and chain Probably on the 23rd February, probably in Tugby but possibly in Horninghold. If you have seen this cross please let Cynthia know on 07740 433871 or [email protected] Safeguarding- children, young people and vulnerable adults The Benefice is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The Benefice co-ordinator is Jane Anne Gore Brown who may be contacted on [email protected] or on 01162598382. Our Benefice website: ourbenefice.btck.co.uk/safeguard lists the parish contacts. Horninghold Church Restoration Project: SPIRE If you buy items from AMAZON then please go to our website www.horninghold.org.uk and click the Amazon link at the bottom of the Home Page. No effect upon the price you pay, but our Church Restoration Fund will earn commission on every purchase made .