Some thoughts for the Area June 2021The final episode of BBC One's Line of Duty was watched by an average of 12.8 million viewers on that Sunday night, the most watched episode of any drama since modern records began in 2002. Were you one of the viewers who tuned in to find out the identity of criminal mastermind, H? And did you agree with the critics that the series ended with an anti-climax with lots of loose ends and plenty of scope for further episodes.One of Hastings most famous quotes is “Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey” and it seems to be one that has been appreciated. Several lines of duty are incorporated into that phrase. Jesus: the main character in a murder story, one series finished with his resurrection, not a disappointing end that time. The next series is underway, and God knows that the last episode will be triumphant. Mary: a girl who chose to embrace with joy the challenges of her line of duty, no guns required for this strong but humble woman.Joseph: a key character who takes a back seat after the first episodeThe Wee Donkey: carrying Mary to Bethlehem and Jesus to Calvary, not a fast car with a siren, but still getting people to places at the right time.Jesus needed Mary Joseph and the wee donkey, in order to complete his purposes. The complexity of their relationships with each other and the world haven’t been fully explained yet- but they will be one day. And we are also characters in this epic drama, may not be in uniform, may only be a split second on screen but still specially selected by God and part of the big picture. What now for us? The fear may be genuine, there is a lot at stake, there are so many opportunities, and we don’t know where the story line is going. We may have been slow to grasp who H was but let’s grasp who HS is. We do have a Heavenly Director in charge of our reality, a Colleague who won’t let us down, and the Holy Spirit to guide us. Whether you have watched Line of Duty on TV or not, we are in this amazing set and with colourful characters let’s play our part in the exciting adventure God has for Uttoxeter Area.Lucy ToynReader Uttoxeter Area
Join us for a Virtual Quiz and test your general knowledge skills on your own or in team of up to 4 people. £4 per person. You could win £25. All proceeds will be used to maintain St Marys Church. To register please email Jenny at jenny477@btinternet.com or call her on 01889 502471Keep Calm & Quiz Evening <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Friday 14th May 2021 at 7.30pm</span>You can enter on your own or in teams of up to four people. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">The cost per player is £4. This can be paid by direct bank transfer to:</span>Bank details; Account name: PCC GRATWICH PARISH <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Account Number: 00124548 Sort Code: 30-98-90</span>Your Reference (initials and QUIZ)Please complete: Team name: _________________________ Team Captain: _______________________The Zoom Login Details: ID: __________________________ PW: __________________________All proceeds from this evening will be used to maintain St Mary’s Church
GRATWICH NEWSLETTERMAY 2021 For further information about anything in the newsletter, please contact: Rev. Charles Dale 01889 500428: email: revcharles.dale@btinternet.com. Jenny Talbot: 01889 50241 email: jenny477@btinternet.comFacebook: St. Mary’s Church Gratwich GRATWICH SERVICES IN MAY SUNDAY 2nd 7.00pm Evening Prayer via ZOOM SUNDAY 9th 11.15am Morning Prayer IN CHURCH SUNDAY 23rd 7.00pm Evening Prayer IN CHURCHPhone Jenny (01889 502471) to book a seat and please bring a mask.Did you know that Easter lasts for six weeks in the church calendar? It runs from Easter Sunday until Pentecost on 16th May – plenty of time to eat all your Easter Eggs. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">It covers the time from Jesus’s resurrection, through his appearances to the disciples, his ascension to heaven and ending when the disciples were empowered with the Holy Spirit.</span>More information in Acts Chapter 2 verses 1-41.The Church Crime Evening last month was good – the people acting as the suspects were brilliant! It took us ages to work out who had done the dastardly deed. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">We also raised £160 for church funds.</span>This month we are having a Zoom Quiz (see advert on next page). Last Zoom event for now as hopefully after the 17th May we will be able to meet up more with people and go out. Maybe a ladies lunch?Then in June we hope to have a Walking Treasure Hunt around Gratwich–watch this space!100 CLUB – APRIL - drawn at the Evening Service on 25th April 1st Angela & Matt Downing 2nd Lynn Hulin 3rd Millie CapewellThe next draw will be at the service on 23rd May in church .Area Bible Bookclub - on Zoom.The next book will be a gospel - Mark - on Wednesday May 26th 7.30pm to share our thoughts about it, for an hour or so. Enjoy the experience of reading it as a whole book and do join us. Contact Lesley White at the Area Office for the link 01889 562915or by email to the Area office: uttoxeterareaparish@outlook.com
As a teenager on a day like today, when the sun is streaming into the house but it’s too cold to tempt me out into the garden for long, I would delight in lying reading for hours on end. I’d find myself transported into other times and places lapping up the rich, varied language and created images of favourite, and not so favourite, authors. As I got older with less free time I consigned this luxury to holidays but kept reading daily at bedtime. Gradually, like many of you, I also developed the habit of dipping into the Bible regularly (often using ‘Daily Bread’ publication) as well as hearing/reading it in church services. I never looked at reading the whole of the Bible or even stretching myself beyond a few chapters at a time.However, in September I started a Reader Training course with Lichfield Diocese and Queens University. I am now immersed in books with weekly reading lists, assignment deadlines and practical ministry experience to fill any spare time I might have each week. As I took up this study several voices commented that Biblical studies would make me view the Bible in a different way which could be uncomfortable for a while - Certainly the course requires analysis of what’s there, why and how it got there. Since September we have been asked several times to read a whole book to comment on its flow, style, content, etc.. This has suddenly, for me, made the writings make greater sense and altered the impact of the content which we usually have in short passages. Instead of a collection of books, rather like an anthology, I’m now beginning to see the care, purpose and balance of all making up the one storyline from Genesis to Revelation. There are so many vivid stories and descriptions which bring a world in pictures to mind, if you allow the words to paint the scenes as you read or hear them – You may already have discovered this! Currently my assignment focuses around Revelation (4: 1-11 to be precise) which has been a revelation! Written at a time when no television, films or radio existed and the general population were not particularly literate, or indeed free to indulge in spare time activities, its imagery and content must have made a lasting impression to its original audience. The creation of the scenes which can seem unsettling has continued to provide hot debate ever since. However, the ‘Heavenly Throne’ with the detailed description of what surrounds it gives the strong, unequivocal message of our God at the centre of all, there to be worshipped. The God who, as the Bible begins in Genesis, is marvelled at for His creation of our world. The God who loves unconditionally, supports without strings and listens to all, even in the midst of an uncertain time of world pandemic. This picture of God is added to with the celebrations this month of Ascension Day and Pentecost - At Ascension the triumph and achievement of God’s involvement in the World through His son Jesus is seen, whilst Pentecost reminds us of His commitment to always be with us in spirit. Two more great pictures to enjoy. Mindfulness exercises have become popular, so if you have time why not reconstruct a scene from Revelation or Ascension or Pentecost in your own style? – See what you find and feel what it brings you. It’s not only those novels that can conjure up worlds that transport you out of your day and into a space to find tranquillity and be empowered.Stephanie Goodwin – Trainee Reader for the Uttoxeter Area
