St Botolph’s and St James the Greater Benefice of Shepshed and Oaks in Charnwood Monthly Parish News September 2015 !!GREAT NEWS!! CAR PARK REFURBISHMENT Following some extensive works at the end of July and beginning of August, there have now been significant improvements to the Church Car Park. It now comprises of an even surface made up of a grid system —by GRID FORCE—that is filled with crushed stone and provides a permeable surface through which water drains into the ground beneath. The remaining border will be planted with a new hedge-row hopefully being supplied “Free of charge” by the Woodland Trust in February. Car Park bay marking is to be reviewed with the contractor during September including specific disabled bays. No lighting is planned at this stage as it is uncertain exactly what is required and/or permissible. Car Park Before Car Park After CHURCH HALL NEW HEATING SYSTEM During the last few weeks of July a new heating system has been installed in the hall and comprises of radiators to the toilets, office and lobby which can be operated separately to the hall. A second system of two fan assisted radiators have been installed in the hall and the whole system is much more efficient than that which it replaced and will be more economic to operate. No complaints about being too hot please!! We are continuing to investigate ways to resolve other issues affecting the hall given that it is now being used for Family Services on Sundays. Page 1 MINISTERIAL MUSINGS As I sit and muse over what I am to write for this months ‘Musings’ I was aware that even though we were looking at the start of the new academic year we are affectively still in the middle of the holiday season. Many of us will have been on holiday, others are summer dresses (ladies only), still to go on holiday, and yet sandals, flip flops, sunhat, sun others are waiting to go away on cream, swimming towel and holiday. Of course there may be costume; and if you were the some who are not going away and adventurous type may be swim are quite happy to stay at home for fins, snorkel and face mask. With the holiday period. In the midst of today’s technology may be your all of this we are hearing of all the IPad, Kindle or even the good students who have received or faithful book for something to read waiting to receive examination whilst lazing in a deck chair or results. Some will be elated at the laying on a towel on the beach. If results and are looking forward to you were on holiday in this country going to their chosen university one might have even considered and there are others who will have taking a rain hat and coat, along to rethink the direction in which with your favourite wellies. they are to take for the future. But is that all you would have Anyway back to the holidays :-) taken with you? Have you forgotten anything that you really should So where did you go for your have taken with you – and I don’t holiday? Was it a sun, sea, and mean remembering your euro’s or sand holiday; a do as much as you your passport? can holiday, or was it one where you planned to be quiet and Did you ever think about leaving contemplative? Whatever type of space for Jesus in your car, on the holiday you had in mind what did train, plane or boat? Yes you have you take with you, what was on read that right – did you ever think your holiday packing list? Well to of taking Jesus with you on holiday save your little grey cells, as – or was he left on a book shelf ‘Poirot’ would say; I guess you with your ‘daily reading notes’? would have taken the usual array Whenever Jesus took time out to of summer things, ‘T’ shirts, shorts, be with himself he always had the Page 2 Father with him, to pray to, to to, and to share our faith with listen to, and to seek advice from. other people and what Jesus Likewise we have adopted that means to us. We don’t always meet same pattern for ourselves when someone, but it’s exciting to see if we go away on holiday together or God will direct us to someone or to attend meetings or conferences them to us. on our own. So what did you take on holiday We pray at the commencement of with you this year and who did you our journey for the journey; for take with you? Remember that travelling safety; for having time to Jesus is there to be a lamp to your get away to rest, relax and enjoy feet and a light to your path and is ourselves and perhaps to make there for you 24/7 and is only a new friends; for the ability to make prayer away. So did you take Jesus the right decisions when travelling. with you? However you organised Have you ever thought to pray for your holiday I pray that you were the bus or train driver or the pilot rested, relaxed and refreshed, that of the plane you’re flying in? God will bless you, guide and lead We include prayers for the you by his Holy Spirit as we are protection of family and friends caught up in the preparations for whilst away. In addition to all of the start of the new academic year. that we pray that God may open situations where we might witness Every Blessing John Copyright: mooningduck.com Page 3 WHO’S WHO Vicar Curate Associate Priest Rev’d Canon Rev’d Ed Bampton Rev’d John Bird Cynthia Hebden (Day off Friday) (Day off Monday) 8 Buckingham Drive 1 Charles Hall Close 12 Smithy Way Thorpe Acre Shepshed Shepshed Loughborough LE12 9UP LE12 9TQ LE11 4TE 01509 506791 01509 505510 01509 234962 Parish Office (Open Monday - Friday mornings 9am - 12noon) Church Gate Telephone: 01509 502255 Shepshed e-mail: [email protected] LE12 9RJ website: www.shepshedandoaks.co.uk/ St Botolph’s Parish Church Shepshed Officers Churchwardens PCC Secretary Richard Rock Tricia Breen Denyse Dawson 2 Harrington Road 5 Pentland Avenue 2 Banbury Drive Shepshed Shepshed Shepshed LE12 9PQ LE12 9BH LE12 9PL 01509 508690 01509 508746 01509 829849 Deputy Wardens PCC Treasurer Colin Stinchcombe Sue Burt Jill Greenwood 1 Arbury Dale 11 Ring Fence 01509 504638 Shepshed Shepshed LE12 9JS LE12 9HX 01509 821869 01509 650074 07976544022 St James the Greater Oaks in Charnwood Officers Churchwardens PCC Secretary Steve Upton Laura Kaminski 07954 149635 01509 324156 Peter Clamp PCC Treasurer 01530 459451 Jayne Moss Page 4 Have You Made your Will Yet? For Wills—Trusts—Estate Planning & Lasting Power of Attorney (Formerly In-Home Legal Services) JUST WILLS & LEGAL SERVICES Phone: Mrs Chris Thomas & Mrs Pam Draycott 01509 507334 (Home) - 08450 568571 (Office) 90 The Meadows, Shepshed Member of The Society Of Will Writers St. Botolph's Church Taster Day Following the success of our first Taster Day on 1st march 2014, and in response to a request from a group of young families, we are organising an open day on Saturday March 12th. from 9am - 1pm. In doing so we hope to highlight the variety of activity that takes place at St. Botolph's. We are asking all leaders to discuss with their groups the most efficient way of demonstrating their Christian activities. A letter of invitation with a logistics questionnaire should be winging its way to you in the near future. If you haven't received one by October 1st then please contact me or the office. We want everyone to be included. From feedback participation in practical activities and audio - visual techniques are firm favourites. Please give this prayerful thought as to how you can promote our gospel values to our wider community. many thanks Sue Burt Come along and see What goes on in and around our 12th Century Church Page 5 St Botolph’s Mother’s Union Report Our July meeting saw us pitting our wits to answer the tricky questions put to us by Judeth in her summer quiz! After a somewhat puzzling time, we again enjoyed a lovely meal pre- pared by Doris and her team. Thanks to them and to Judeth for organising such an interesting and stimulating event. Instead of an August meeting, we held our summer barbecue to support the ‘Away From It All’ holidays provided for needy families by our Diocesan Mothers’ Union. Unlike last year, we were blessed with good weather and enjoyed a lovely warm evening in Anne and Alan’s beautiful garden. A sum of £366.50 was raised towards this very good cause. Many thanks to Anne and Alan for inviting us again and to all who helped in any way to make this such an enjoyable event. Our September meeting will be held in the church hall as usual, on Wednesday 9th September where we shall be looking at all the projects in the Diocese supported my Mothers’ Union. All are welcome. Heather See page 21 for result of BBQ ACCENT DRUM TUITION K J PARTRIDGE All ages and level PLUMBING AND HEATING ENGINEERS Beginners welcome Bathrooms Tiling Kitchens Rock School/ABRSM 100% Pass rate Full Central Heating Systems Gas Boiler repair and replacements Boiler Servicing Landlord safety certificates All plumbing and heating work undertaken Phone 01530 814 270 Tel 01509 600574 Mobile 07816 139 305 [email protected] Free quotes and advice Page 6 St Botolph’s St James’ Acorn Club 100 Club winners for Lottery Results June 2015 are: for June 2015 are: 1 L Spotak 1st J Worth 2 P Whitehead 2nd M West 3 P Harris 3rd C Clamp for July 2015 are: July 2015 are: 1st J Cook 1 B Hing 2nd C Foulds 2 J Bradford 3rd J Duerden 3 M Dumbleton New members are always required to boost funds Could the people who have for the Church.