Exploring my Story …

Saturday 20th November, 10am-4pm at Holland House, Cropthorne

‘Exploring my story … and God’s story’ is a day for anyone who wants to think more deeply about where God is leading them in life. All Christians are called to be faithful but this takes us each of us along a unique path, and there is a sense in which we cannot be truly content until we have discovered what God wants of us. This might be to do exactly what we’re doing now... but it might also involve something quite different. There will be time for conversation, exploration and reflection in company with others and in the beautiful surroundings of Holland House. The cost of £28 includes coffee, lunch and tea. If you’d like to step aside into this sacred space for a day, or want to ask for more details, please contact the Rural Dean, Sheila Banyard, on 01905 773134 or at sk.banyard@virgin.net

For Bookworms .....

If you enjoy reading, come and join us at 7.30pm on the fourth Wednesday of every month at the Parish Centre.
22 Sep: A Change of Altitude, Anita Shreve
27 Oct: Girl in a Blue Dress, Gaynor Arnold
24 Nov: Choosing books for 2011
Please contact Jill Batts [778155] if you have queries.

Sunday 12th September - Authorised Lay Ministry

There’s a special service in Worcester Cathedral at 6.30pm on Sunday 12th September, when the Bishop will affirm those who’ve been training for the new Authorised Lay Ministry scheme. Those being authorised for this parish are Heather Ward, Margaret Steward and Elizabeth Baker as Pastoral workers, Rachel Rean and Paula Honniball as Worship leaders, and Rod Griffiths and Nina Owen as Evangelists. Please come and support them, or if you can’t make the service, please pray for them.

Moving Prayer - Saturday 24th July

Mary Callaway will be coming to St. Nicholas’ Church on Saturday 24 July to lead us in an afternoon of meditative circle dancing. We will begin at 2.30pm and finish around 4.45pm and the cost will be £4.00 which includes light refreshments. No experience necessary as all dances are taught and involve only simple steps and movements which are suitable for all ages. If you want to know more contact Hazel on 01905 773911.

Parish Harvest Supper - Friday 15th October

Advance Notice for your diaries!

Parish Harvest Supper, Friday 15th October. Venue to be decided

Parish Summer Fair - Saturday 11th September

This will be held in the Parish Centre Garden
If anyone would like to help, please contact Hilary Fisher(798551) as soon as possible so that we can get it organised.

Pet Service - 27th June

The Annual Pet Service will happen at St Augustine’s at 4pm on Sunday 27th June. We encourage families to bring their animals and we will celebrate God’s praises with mixed barking, meowing and singing, amongst other voices. Refreshments will be served after the service, but please bring your own dog biscuits!

Advent Quiet Day at Holland House - Sat 4th December

An Advent Pause - a led day for quiet and reflection during the materialism of Christmas.  Make God a priority by putting it in your diary now.  The parish will be subsidising this day leaving you to pay a £5 deposit and £18.00 on the day.  This will cover the use of two rooms plus the chapel & garden,  morning coffee with biscuits, 2-course lunch with tea/coffee, afternoon tea with home-made cake.  Names with deposit should be given to Rita or left in her pigeon-hole in the Parish Centre.  Lifts will be arranged.

Appointment of Acting Team Rector

This was announced in all our churches on Sunday 30th May but is printed here for the benefit of those who missed it. The first part of our deanery plan to work with fewer clergy began with Sheila's appointment as Rural Dean. That means that from now on this parish will have two stipendiary priests for the foreseeable future, one of whom will be shared with the parish of Salwarpe and Martin Hussingtree. There is quite a lot of work ahead of us to make this happen effectively, and we hope constructively, and only at the end of that process will we be able to appoint a permanent Team Rector again.
In the meantime, after consulting with representatives of the parish and the deanery, Bishop John has appointed Doug to be the Acting Team Rector as everyone here works on that process of development together.