This edition of St Mary’s News starts with a Revd Heather’s Message looking at Goldilocks, and continues with other news including:
- Apple picking at Manor Grove Farm,
- Harvest Festival Weekend,
- a START Course,
- a welcome to a new administrator,
- a Diary Date, and
- the usual listings of services and contacts.
Revd. Heather’s Goldilocks Message
Just Right!
Many of you, I am sure, will be familiar with the story of Goldilocks and the three bears. There is something in this fairy-tale which speaks into our very human nature.
When Goldilocks tries the three bears porridge, the first is too hot, the second too cold, but of course baby bears porridge ‘is just right.’
When it comes to the beds, one is too hard, the other too soft, but again baby bears ‘is just right.’
Our Weather
As I write this, on yet another very hot day, in what has been an extraordinarily hot and dry summer, how many times have we heard people complain, oh its too hot, remembering, that it wasn’t that long ago, that we all thought it was too cold. Rarely, it seems, can we all at the same time, find the happy medium and declare ’this is just right’!
In the desert
Complaining about the weather is a national pastime and we are great at it. But this year, as we head into drought conditions, it has made me think about how the Israelites complained in the desert to Moses, when there was no food and water. Complaining that at least in Egypt they were given food and drink. Never mind the fact they were slaves.
Time and time again, God provided for the people in the wilderness, but as soon as it looked like things were going wrong again, so the grumbling began again.
It’s hard for us, as humans, it seems, to feel that everything is just right for too long. We soon want to find something to complain about again.
Energy Prices
As we head into an autumn and winter, with food and energy prices soaring and many facing a very real cost of living crisis. There is much that we might be feeling anxious about.
But we are also reminded that we have a God we can trust, he will help us through and in some cases, we may very well be the Moses in the situation, the answer to someone else’s prayer in what we can do to help our neighbour in need.
So as we head into the next few months, mindful of the challenges we all face, with little seeming to be ‘just right’, may we trust in the God who provides the harvest, and be willing to share what we have with others.
And may God bless you
Heather
Apple picking at Manor Grove Farm
Manor Grove Farm have kindly offered an opportunity for people to raise funds for St Mary’s Church by picking apples in the orchard between 9.30 am and 4 pm on 10th September. A fun activity for the whole family and for every large apple bin filled, £20 will be donated to the church.
All ages welcome but children must be supervised by an adult as there will be a tractor moving between the rows of trees.
Tea and cake will be served at the end of the day.
Harvest Festival Weekend
The church will be open on Saturday 1st Oct between 2 pm and 5 pm for people of all ages to come in and look at the beautiful harvest flower displays and enjoy some fun activities and crafts. Tea and cake will also be served! There will be an admission charge of £2 per person or £5 for a family and all proceeds will go towards our project to upgrade the church hall.
Our Harvest Celebration Service will take place on Sunday 2nd October at 9.30 am, featuring a special contribution from the amazing Heathlands school choir! All are warmly invited to both events.
START Course
Got questions about life and the Christian faith and looking for answers? Then why not make a START! It’s a 6-week course designed to help people discover the basics of the Christian faith. Each session lasts about 90 minutes and involves watching a short film clip with time for questions afterwards.
The sessions will take place at St Mary’s Church at 11am on the following dates: 29 Sept, 6 & 13 Oct and 3, 10 & 17 November. All are welcome.
Welcome to our new administrator
We are delighted to welcome Donna Luxton as our new temporary church administrator. She is covering for Jo Rassell who is currently on adoption leave.
Please note the revised office hours: weekdays 10am to 12 midday.
Diary Date
There will be a Soup Lunch on Sunday 18th September. This is to raise funds for FiSH and to learn about the proposed replacement heating system.
Services & Other Dates
| 4th September | 9:30 am | Holy Communion |
| 10th September | 9:30 am – 4 pm | Apple Picking |
| 11th September | 9:30 am | Messy Church |
| 18th September | 9:30 am | Holy Communion |
| Soup lunch | ||
| 25th September | 9:30 am | Café Church |
| 1st October | 2 pm – 5 pm | Open Church |
| 2nd October | 9:30 am | Harvest Celebration Service |
| 2 pm – 5 pm | Open Church | |
| 9th October | 9:30 am | Messy Church |
Our Team at St Mary’s
- Priest in Charge: Revd. Heather Wilcox
email: [email protected]
tel: 01206 240906 or 07503 151715 - Assistant Curate: Revd Anne Mason
email: [email protected].
tel: 07895 970834 (Sunday & Tuesday – Thursday). - Church Wardens:
Peter & Caroline Finlay, — [email protected] or 07926 387551 and
Kate & Stephen Penrose, — 07973 421306 - Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs):
Richard Chadborn—01206 240541;
Michael Foster—01206 241022;
Joy Budden—01206 241871;
Liz Dixon—07914 001212. - Parish Evangelist
Ron Seymour—01206 272579. - Church Administrator:
Donna Luxton — 01206 243683,
email: [email protected].
Church Office Hours — Monday – Friday 10 am – midday. - Hall Bookings:
Nicole Long—01206 240443. - Newsletter Editor:
Liz Dixon
tel: 07914 001212
email: [email protected]. - Website: Stmaryswestbergholt.co.uk
- Follow us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/stmaryswestbergholt.