Dear friends At our second Alpha gathering this week, we discussed the question: why did Jesus die? It is one of the most curious things about the Christian faith that this question needs to be asked and even more curious that it has such prominence: week two of a ten part course. After all, everyone dies, so it’s hardly remarkable to say that Jesus, along with the other fourteen billion humans who have inhabited the planet ultimately died. Moreover, the fact that he was crucified is also unremarkable: the Romans went in for that sort of thing rather a lot. And yet, two thousand years later, the cross upon which Christ died remains the central Christian symbol and his death for both the sins of the world and for my sins also, continues to be one of the great Christian truths. Its all-encompassing power is the remarkable thing. “Christ died for sins, once for all to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3.18). Sue, in her talk on Tuesday evening, used a wonderful phrase: “evil was exhausted by Christ’s love shown on the cross”. (I hope I have paraphrased correctly). The triumph of the Cross is subsequently guaranteed by Jesus rising from the grave. We in the church therefore continue to celebrate Easter even if the rest of the world has moved on to plan its summer holidays. House for Duty Priest We will be readvertising the House for Duty post almost immediately, starting on the 27th of this month, with interviews scheduled for July 13th. Please do pray that a suitable candidate emerges from this process. Cynthia Webb We are very sad to announce the death of Cynthia Webb, whose funeral will take place at St George’s on Monday May 16th at 1.30 p.m. followed by cremation at Emstrey at 2.45, with a reception at The Plough. Cynthia’s family are keen to ensure all her friends know that they are very warmly welcomed to join them on this sad occasion. Christian Aid Week Events planned as follows: Saturday 14th May. - Breakfast/Coffee Morning 9.30 - 12noon Holy Trinity Minsterley Sunday 15th May - collection at HTM after Morning Praise Saturday 21st May - Collection at Minsterley Co-op Any enquiries to Susan Bates 01743 891985 St George’s Explorers The second gathering of St George’s Explorers will take place on Tues May 31st at 2 p.m. in St George’s Churchyard. Treasurer We continue to seek a new Treasurer for Pontesbury, following Gerald Worrall’s retirement. Healing Service There will be a Healing Service at Hanwood Church on Sunday May 15th at 4.30 p.m. This is a joint service between our group and the Hanwood group. Do join us if you have a healing need or would like to pray for another. Repair Shop St George’s will be hosting a repair shop on Saturday July 9th from 10-2 p.m. If anyone has any repair skills to offer (clothes, machinery, electronics etc.) please contact Greg who will pass on your details to the Pontesbury Climate Change Group who are organising this event. Sidespersons We are holding a thank you evening for our Sidespersons on Monday May 30th at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity, Minsterley. All sidespersons in the group are warmly invited. This is also an opportunity for anyone who would like to find out more about this role to come along. Beatles Evening The new date for the Beatles evening at Hope Village Hall is Friday June 24th. Tickets previously purchased are still valid. Spring Harvest When I met with Richard (our new curate) this week over in Cambridge, he described how much his children had enjoyed Spring Harvest this Easter. It reminded me how much Fran and I have enjoyed attending Spring Harvest over the years (probably 30 years since we first attended). We want therefore to investigate whether there is any mileage in taking a party from Pontesbury & Stiperstones next Easter, April 10-14 in Minehead. Costs are £185 and up per person (with discounts for children) depending on the type of accommodation. The event provides worship, teaching and fellowship for all ages and has been a joyous and upbuilding time for every church I have attended. If you want to know more, speak to Greg or Fran. Calendar for the Week Fri May 13th Prayer at HTM 9-10 a.m. Coffee morning at St George’s 10-12 Choir Practices Sun 15th Holy Communion at Hope & Shelve at 9 a.m. Holy Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 Family Praise at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m. Healing Service at Hanwood at 4.30 p.m. Mon 16th Cynthia Webb’s funeral at St George’s at 1.30 Youth Café at HTM at 3.30 p.m. Tues 17th Little Dragons at 10 a.m. Wedding of Mark & Penny at St George’s Ichthus at Brookfield at 2.30 p.m. Alpha week 3 at 7 p.m. at the Deanery Weds 18th Café at HTM 10-12 Pontesbury PCC at 7.30 p.m. Thurs 19th Funeral of Jenny Broadhurst at Holy Trinity at 11 a.m. Sun 22nd Holy Communion at Pontesbury, Minsterley & Habberley at 10.30 a.m. Pontesbury Open Gardens from 12.30-4
Services are held every Sunday.Communion is held on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays.A family service is held on the 3rd Sunday.Should there be a 5th Sunday in the month a communion is held in one of the churches in the benefice. The church Wardens will know which church.Services are also held to celebrate special seasons in the church calendar. Theses services will appears as a news story.
