St. George’s Church Newsletter – Autumn 2018Dear Wyverstone Residents,As you may be aware, our Vicar Val White took early retirement on health grounds at the end of July. You may still see Val and her husband David around as they are continuing to live at the rectory in Bacton whilst David looks for a new parish. We wish them both well for the future.Being without a Vicar does not mean that the life of the church comes to a stop. Regular services will continue to happen (more on this below) – and should you need the services of Priest for a wedding, funeral, christening or any other reason, please contact the Rural Dean, Diane Williams, tel: 01449 720316 or e-mail: diane.rev@btinternet.com St George’s church is here for the community, and the building is always open. The latch on the big wooden door can be a little tricky, but anyone is welcome to come into the church – whether you want to have a look around, to pray, or just a few minutes’ peace and quiet. All are welcome to come to our services, which are: Praise in the Community, at 6.30pm on the first Sunday each month - this is a relaxed and informal service usually lasting 30-40 minutes, followed by refreshments. Then on the 4th Sunday each month we have New Songs for Worship at 6.30pm, again an informal service where we learn to sing some newer hymns and songs used in churches around the country. There is also a regular Benefice Communion services at 10am on every 3rd Sunday in the month, rotating between the 5 churches in the Benefice, and if there is a 5th Sunday in the month (eg 30th September) we host an additional Benefice Communion here in Wyverstone - details of all these services are in the Parish magazine, on the website www.bactonbenefice.net and we will soon have a sign outside the church showing when the next service will be held.Dates for your diary:Harvest thanksgiving service followed by tea, 5.30pm Sunday 7th OctoberCeremony of Remembrance 9.30am Sunday 11th NovemberCarol Service – 6.30pm Sunday 23rd DecemberChristmas day service – Holy Communion 10amWe are extremely grateful for the level of support that we enjoy as a Church Community, which includes the regular cleaners and flower ladies as well as the excellent support from the ‘Friends of St George’ for the fabric and maintenance of the church building. We normally have a spring and autumn church tidy-up day, when volunteers help to trim up the churchyard and dust and polish the interior. This autumn we will be doing this on Saturday 29th September, so if you wish to join us we will be in the church from 9am -1pm. Maintaining our church does take time and if you are interested in how you can assist in any way, please give me a call. Thanks for reading,Andy Mellen – ChurchwardenTel: 782971 e: mellenfamily@btinternet.com