Merry Christmas December 2020 & January 2021 The Magazine for the Parishes of Alfrick with Lulsley, Leigh & Bransford, Leigh Sinton and Suckley THE PARISHES OF ALFRICK w LULSLEY, LEIGH & BRANSFORD, SUCKLEY STD code 01886 Vicar Revd. Anne Potter 07783711665 or 832355 The Rectory, Suckley Road, Leigh WR6 5LE email: [email protected] Parish Secretary Alison Khan 07984 748059 Parish Treasurer Mrs Ina Steel 821777 ALFRICK w LULSLEY Church of St.Mary Magdalene Church Wardens Mr.A.G.Duncan 884281 Mr Stephen Osmond 884259 Secretary Mrs.Judith Davies 884336 Treasurer Mr.Andrew Cooper 833903 LEIGH & BRANSFORD St.Edburga, Leigh/St.John the Baptist, Bransford Church Wardens Mrs Jean Colley 832964 Secretary Mrs. Judith Soper 832354 Treasurer Mr John Drage 833178 Bell Captain Mr Christopher Phillips 832230 Organist Vacancy Chapelry Warden SUCKLEY Church of St.John the Baptist Church Wardens Dr Anne M Lewis 884552 Mrs Liz Devenish 884787 Secretary Mr. Richard Lewis 884552 Treasurer Mrs.Diana Holloway 884665 Bell Captain Mrs.LindaTaylor 884280 'The Sphere' Magazine Editor Geoff Wright, Brook House, Brockamin, Leigh WR6 5LA 832350 e-mail [email protected] (or [email protected]) Assistant Editor David Fowler, Old School House, Alfrick Pound WR6 5EZ 884690 Advertising Daphne & David Fowler e -mail [email protected] Treasurer Biddy Hood, Broad Dingle, Lulsley WR6 5QW 821020 Collation Distribution John Burton, Watchwood, Birchwood Rd. Suckley 884596 Coordinators John Colley, Autumn Cottage, Sandlin 832964 Printing Geoff Wright, David Fowler, & Ken Richards Please send in articles for the Sphere NOT LATER than the 12th of the month. All material published in The Sphere, including adverts, editorials, articles and all other content is published in good faith. However The Sphere accepts no liability for any errors or omissions and does not endorse any companies, products or services that appear in the publication. The Sphere Magazine: Future Plans Everything has been different for everyone in Regarding advertisers, we 2020 and production of The Sphere has been no have not been charging exception. It is edited, printed, collated and them since April 2020 as distributed by a small group of willing volunteers we have been uncertain and the last printed edition was produced for as to how many readers April 2020. This was as usual done in the vestry would be viewing online, of Alfrick Church (a process that can take up to although this appears to have grown to five mornings). Collation, collection and delivery something over 500 views on the websites for just scraped past the first lockdown deadline, October 2020 plus 160 sent by email. after which the church had to be closed, later We have had this Christmas edition (combined only to be open for private prayer on December/January) printed for us by outside Wednesdays and Sundays (including services) printers and it will also be on the local websites. for limited hours. However this is much more expensive than Subsequent editions have been placed on printing it ourselves although has the advantage websites in each parish for subscribers, where of better reproduction of photographs (but still possible, to download. Back copies can be in grey-scale). We are looking into the found at www.alfrickandlulsley.org/community possibilities of upgrading our duplicating www.leighandbransford.org.uk and machine and are hoping to have the next www.suckley.org.uk/ printed version produced for the Easter edition A questionnaire was circulated via most (April 2021) if necessary having it again from distributors to establish whether subscribers outside printers. Meanwhile the website and would be willing, or indeed would prefer, to email versions will still be produced (and in the receive copies emailed to them. About 150 of future for those who prefer to receive their our 800 subscribers preferred this option, Sphere that way). If possible we would then like perhaps to minimise the impact on the to return to printed versions each month (and environment of producing hard copies. We anticipate resuming charging our advertisers realise however that many of our loyal from April 2021). We would expect to return to subscribers do not have the facilities or the charging all annual subscribers (including for ability/inclination to follow the internet route copies by email) in July 2021 when they will and of course many of them much prefer to have received the eleven printed editions paid have a hard copy at hand to refer to (especially for in 2020. for events and advertisements). Geoff and David If you would prefer in future to receive copies by email then please send an email to: [email protected] with a note of your home address and if possible the name of the person who normally delivers to you (no need if you have already done so). Wishing you A Merry Christmas and A Peaceful New Year from the Sphere Team Services for December 2020 Services for January/February 2021 December 6th (Advent 2) January 3rd 10.30am Leigh CW Holy Communion 10.30am Leigh – CW Holy Communion 4.00pm Becky – Zoom farewell (Clifton and 6.00pm Alfrick – Words and Music Martley) January 10th 6.00pm Alfrick – Evensong 9.00am Alfrick – Matins December 13th (Advent 3) 10.30am Crown East – CW Holy Communion 10.30am Crown East – BCP 4.00pm Becky’s Licensing 4.00pm Suckley – Christingle/lighting of tree January 17th outside 9.00am Bransford – BCP Holy Communion December 20th (Advent 4) 3.00pm Suckley – Evening Worship 9.00am Bransford BCP Holy Communion January 24th YouTube Lessons and Carols 9.00am Alfrick – CW Holy Communion (Wednesday 23rd December 10.30am Crown East – BCP Holy Communion 10.00am Suckley Midweek Holy Communion) 6.00pm Leigh – Evensong December 24th (Wednesday 27th January 9.00pm Crown East – CW Holy Communion* 10.00am Suckley Midweek Communion) ([email protected] 07906 309122) January 31st (5th Sunday) 10.30am or 4.00pm 11.00pm Leigh – CW HC* Suckley – Group Candlemas Service ([email protected] 07850 233320) February 7th December 25th 10.30am Leigh – CW Holy Communion 9.00am Alfrick – BCP HC* (Judy Davies - 6.00pm Alfrick – Evensong [email protected] 01886 884664) 10.30am Suckley – All Age* ([email protected] 07957 388926) From the Registers *Due to social distancing please could you Baptisms: None ‘book’ the number from your household wishing to attend these Christmas services Weddings: None with the named person by December 20th. Funerals: Suckley; 03 November 2020: December 27th Joan Garbett, Hereford Crematorium No service Our Church continues to be alive and active, but due to COVID-19 our buildings must remain closed except where mentioned in the separate parish pages. Even though they are not able to meet with you in person the clergy are available at the end of a telephone line so please feel free to contact us: Rev David Sherwin (Team Rector) 01886 888664 [email protected] Rev Anne Potter (Team Vicar) 01886 832355 [email protected] Rev Jennifer Whittaker 01886 833897 [email protected] Rev Becky Elliott 01886 812451 [email protected] Rev Jen Denniston is currently undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer If you have an administration query please contact Alison Khan on 07984 748059 or [email protected] Please contact Alison if you would like to receive a regular weekly pew sheet by email. For those of you with computers, IPads or other such ‘modern technology’ you will continue to find worship through our YouTube wwrtlivestream Other information can be found on A Church Near You (ACNY): www.achurchnearyou.com Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/Worcesterwestruralteam www.facebook.com/suckleychurch CHRISTMAS IS ... …..A CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF A VERY SPECIAL BABY CALLED JESUS WHO CAME TO REVEAL GOD’S LOVE FOR ALL HUMANKIND …..NOT CANCELLED DUE TO COVID BUT DIFFERENT ….CAROL SINGING – two opportunities to join with those leading Carols at Alfrick Village Shop – 14 December at 6.30pm - mulled wine and mince pies. And Carols Round the Tree at Leigh and Bransford Memorial Hall 20 December at 4.00pm (and 5.30 pm if overbooked) – mulled wine, mince pies, Father Christmas. Bookings through Simon and Jennie Bond will need to be made so families can be accommodated socially distanced – See full details in the Leigh and Bransford section. …. A Festival of Light recalling the light that came in the darkness and in Suckley on Sunday 13 December at 4.00pm when we will be gathering in the churchyard for a short Christingle service alongside turning on the tree of light in a Covid friendly way. ….TRACTIVITY instead of Barnyard Nativity On Christmas Eve from around 3.00pm to approx. 5.00pm watch out for the stable with some of the Christmas Story characters, like Mary and Joseph, passing through the villages on a trailer pulled by a tractor. Details of the timings and route will be circulated through social media, emails and word of mouth – Sphere deadline beat the route planning!! …..Traditional services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in each of our parish churches. These are listed on the Services page. Unfortunately we will have to offer ‘first come first served’ which feels very wrong, but hope you understand if there is no room in the church. As you go on your daily walks do look out for the stars around Leigh Sinton, the Pom Poms and baubles around Alfrick bringing some Christmas Cheer (which we all need) and the message tree in Leigh Sinton, bringing communities together. Fuller details in the Village sections. The Church of England’s theme this Christmas is ‘Comfort and Joy’… and then when I opened the M&S Christmas Food promotional booklet the first words I read were ‘We’re all ready for a bit of comfort and joy this Christmas…’.