GRATWICH NEWSLETTEROCTOBER 2021 - <span style="font-size: 1rem;">GRATWICH SERVICES IN OCTOBER</span>SUNDAY 3rd 7.00pm Evening Prayer VIA ZOOM SUNDAY 10th 12 noon HARVEST FESTIVAL SERVICEFollowed by Harvest Lunch also in church SUNDAY 24th 7.00pm Evening Prayer No need to book a seat now We are still keeping social distancing and hand sanitising You are very welcome to come to just the Harvest Service on the 10th October, Harvest Service and Lunch or just the Lunch, we don’t mind.But if you would like to come to the lunch - please let Jenny know (01889 502471)by 2nd October.There will be a box will be at the back of church for any donations of groceries for our local foodbankAs you may (or may not!) know St. Mary’s building is in need of rewiring, water connecting, toilet installing and re-decorating! The vision of the PCC is to bring it up to date without changing it’s appearance thus making it usable for services and social events – as the only public building in the village it has such potential!The details of how these things will be achieved will be available at the Harvest Lunch.Lots of events being planned to look forward to – dates for your diary so far are:5th November – Bonfire, Fireworks & Best Guy Competition – see flier26th November - Auction11th December – Carol Singing on the Croft22nd January - Fizz & Quiz evening via Zoom12th February - Murder Mystery EveningPhone Jenny (01889 502471) for more details. 100 CLUB – September– drawn at the Evening Service on 26th September1st Millie Capewell 2nd Sally-Anne Lander 3rd Nicola RecineThe next draw will be at the evening service on 24th October in church .EVENTS OTHER PARISHES2nd October 10.00am – 12 AUTUMN FAIR in St. Mary’s, Uttoxeter2nd October 7.00pm St. John’s Marchington Woodlands HARVEST SUPPER (supper tickets from: G Salt 01283 821587)3rd October 12.30pm onwards HARVEST FESTIVAL & LUNCH in St. Mary’s Uttoxeter (contact: Dianne office.uttoxetercof@gmail.com for more details & lunch tickets) 20th November 10.00am – 12 noon CHRISTMAS FAIR in St. Mary’s Uttoxeter Area Letter from Rev. Margaret SherwinThe RectoryOctober 2021I have an old apple tree in the rectory garden. Since we arrived in July 2016 we have had a crop each year to harvest, with last year's being a bumper crop. This year however, there are very little, if any, apples. We have harvested a large amount of tomatoes – thank you to the kind generosity of those of you who brought me the baby tomato plants during my confinement due to the heel injury! Potatoes and cabbages we have also grown this year – cabbages for the first time. We’re having a competition with the caterpillars as to who gets them first! We have much to celebrate as we eat another meal with our harvested home grown produce.Celebrating harvest goes very deep in us – it seems to stir in us a sense of our country roots, memories of a land that lived by agriculture before the Industrial revolution. Harvest marks the end of a sequence in the church/country calendar. Plough Sunday in January, when the farm implements were blessed; Rogation Day just before Ascension Day in May, when prayers were made for favourable weather for the growing crops; Lammas Day (not when we celebrate Lamas!) at the beginning of August, when the first loaf made with flour from the new crop was offered in token thanks, and coming full circle, (though it was introduced much later on the liturgical scene, in the 19th Century) Harvest. Time for a pause before it all starts again. Time to be thankful, to remember God’s mercy and goodness, enjoying the sight of full storehouses and barns, pantry shelves and freezers. Time to feel secure against the coming winter. It is good to be thankful, and we come gladly, enjoying the colour, the smells and sometimes gathering together for a Harvest meal.But there is something uncomfortable about Harvest, too, especially now that we can see on our television and computer screens that there are people who haven’t got a harvest to celebrate, some who haven’t had a harvest for years, perhaps because the rains have failed, perhaps because civil war have made it impossible to cultivate the land. The Jewish people faced the same situation on a smaller scale. Reading the instructions in Deuteronomy we are reminded that God’s people have always been told to be generous and help the poor to share our good fortune. Deuteronomy speaks of very different farming methods, but the message is clear: don’t keep it all to yourself, leave something for those in need.And the New Testament warns us against taking things for granted, being pleased with our achievement. That man who pulled down his barn and built a bigger one, stuffed it full sat back feeling pleased with himself got a sharp reminder – ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’(Luke 12:16-21) That’s the question Harvest asks us too.In the Bible, harvest and judgement go together – the parable of the wheat and the tares puts the point very starkly (Matthew 13:24-30). So it’s right and good to be thankful, but we have to ask ourselves how our thankfulness can find expression in making it possible for all humankind to be thankful. We can’t ever sit back and say we’ve done enough – not while there are those children with stick limbs and swollen bellies looking at us hopelessly from our screens.Imagine if my apple crop this year was a year in year out event and it was what I relied on for food for myself, my family and community. We need to support our local food banks and ‘Helping Hands’ and support those in need. We also need to support the agencies who work to improve farming methods, but also with those who challenge the leaders around the world to remove world debt. We must keep asking the questions and seeking action. Harvest is the point where, far from sitting back and thinking how fortunate we are, we have to prepare to sow the seeds and encourage the growth for the harvest to come, when the will of God will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.Rev Margaret SherwinArea RectorFor further information about anything in the newsletter, please contact:Rev. Charles Dale 01889 500428: email: revcharles.dale@btinternet.comJenny Talbot: 01889 50241 email: jenny477@btinternet.comFacebook: St. Mary’s Church Gratwich
GRATWICH NEWSLETTERSeptember 2021 For further information about anything in the newsletter, please contact:Rev. Charles Dale 01889 500428: email: revcharles.dale@btinternet.comJenny Talbot: 01889 50241 email: jenny477@btinternet.comFacebook: St. Mary’s Church Gratwich GRATWICH SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER SUNDAY 12th 11.15am Holy Communion IN CHURCH SUNDAY 26th 7.00pm Evening Prayer IN CHURCHNo need to book a seat now We are still keeping social distancing and hand sanitising September already, schools back and looking more like autumn now. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Lots to look forward to in the next few months (not even going to mention Christmas!). </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Harvest Festivals galore – unfortunately most of them seem to be on the same day but I think you could get to at least two of them on the 26th – and the fashion show in Bramshall is always a good evening for a bargain.</span>CondolencesWe send our love and prayers to the family of David BebbingtonDavid and his parents lived in Gratwich for many years and his father was also churchwarden at St. Mary’s Church – there is a plaque in his memory in the church.100 CLUB – August – drawn at the Evening Service on 22nd August1st Alfie Cotton 2nd Sophia Capewell 3rd Ian CottonThe next draw will be at the evening service on 26th September in church .GRATWICH HARVEST FESTIVAL SERVICE AND LUNCHSunday 10th OctoberService 12.00noon followed by lunch in ChurchLunch tickets: Adults £6Children (Under 13 years) £4Contact Jenny for tickets (01889 502471)Lunch spaces limited to 36 so book earlyEVENTS IN OTHER PARISHES10th September 7.00pm FASHION SHOW Bramshall Parish Hall – chance to buy high street fashion items as a good price. (Contact SallyAnne for more details 01889 565228)17th September 10.00am -12 MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING in St. Mary’s Uttoxeter26th September 12.30pm HARVEST LUNCH - St. Peter’s Marchington (lunch tickets from: Mrs Halcrow 01283 820346)26th 11.00am HARVEST FESTIVAL & LUNCH St. Lawrence’s Bramshall (lunch tickets: SallyAnne 01889 565228)26th September 3.00pm HARVEST FESTIVAL SERVICE St. John’s Marchington Woodlands2nd October 10.00am – 12 AUTUMN FAIR in St. Mary’s, Uttoxeter2nd October 7.00pm St. John’s Marchington Woodlands HARVEST SUPPER (supper tickets from: G Salt 01283 821587)3rd October 12.30pm onwards HARVEST FESTIVAL & LUNCH in St. Mary’s Uttoxeter (contact: Dianne office.uttoxetercof@gmail.com for more details & lunch tickets) Bible Bookclub – Thursday 30th September, 7.30pmThe next meeting of the Zoom Bible Bookclub will be discussing 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy.If you would like to join please contact Lesley at the Area Office either by phone – 01889 562915 or email – uttoxeterareaparish@outlook.comArea Letter from one of our Area Staff Team - September 2021Dear friends,I write this letter after returning from a lovely day spent with my daughter and granddaughters, both of whom are flourishing at school and delighting in all that life offers them. As I looked at the fourteen-year-old, my mind cast me back to the images witnessed this week on our television screens of those trying to flee Afghanistan and the horror stories emerging of actions waged against some of those who have been enjoying roles which women never had until fairly recently. Fifteen-year-olds are now being forced into marriage by Taliban fighters whom they have never known.The Taliban vowed in a press conference yesterday to forgive those who fought them and to respect women’s rights within Islamic law. Yet a group of female special- forces soldiers trained by the British said that they had been forced into hiding and stopped from getting to a visa- processing centre. Only time will tell how things progress. Yet in every horror story there are rays of hope as military flights escort as many as possible to safety. An American plane intended to hold one hundred and thirty four soldiers sitting on either side of the plane, took off with six hundred and forty men, women and children crammed onto the floor of the plane and it landed safely in Qatar. The pilot decided not to remove any of the passengers and took off when air traffic control gave the green light. Christians both inside and outside the United States disagree on what the US government and military should have done. But they are trying to apply their faith to help them understand how to best advocate for justice in the aftermath. Mark Tooley, the editor of Providence: Journal of Christianity & American Foreign Policy and the president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy says. “This war like all wars reflects human depravity. It’s inevitable and inescapable. And yet we can admire the sacrifice and courage of all—American, Afghan, and various NATO personnel, who laboured and sacrificed that Afghanistan might escape the ravages of the past. There have been many successes: longer lives, greater health, more education, more freedoms—across 20 years. These victories will not be entirely smothered by the Taliban. And we can assume that the church in Afghanistan, however small, has planted seeds whose fruit will be harvested across future generations in ways we cannot imagine.”We pray that Afghanistan will rise up like a phoenix from the ashes, this time stronger and wiser. May the Holy Spirit touch the Taliban so that they remain soft-hearted and recognize the human rights of all the people. The global body of Christ needs to express Christian love and compassion to the Taliban and share the blessing and joy that God has given us. We pray for Afghanistan - that the Taliban stick to their promises of a freer society with women participating in all aspects of life and girls/women in school and that followers of Jesus in that country will grow in number and maturity and bless it with transforming deeds and words for we are called to build God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven.”Yours in ChristIreneThe Rev’d Irene Smith, OLM at Checkley.
A question that Rev Margaret asked the staff team recently was “What is the joy in our ministry?” It certainly got me thinking. 17 years ago I had felt the call to take my faith a step further and after 3 years of study and a few interviews when I had to discuss and explain my faith, I was licensed as a Reader. During these years I have had the privilege of preparing and taking services in all of the churches in the Area. I’ve taken many funerals which has involved talking to the bereaved families and preparing a service that they feel recognises the love for their family member and celebrates their life. This despite the sadness that surrounds a funeral gives me joy that I can help in some small way to make a difference for the family. As you can imagine it takes a lot of thought and prayer to put together such a service, but it is also the pastoral work that goes alongside this that is most joyful. Not that these times are joyful.I also find joy in putting together services and other occasions where we all get together to think about and discover what our Christian faith means. It really is fun thinking of creative ways to share our faith and working with other like-minded people in the preparation. Thinking of different ways to explain, discuss and to share our faith is joyful – the hope is that people who attend such services or events also find it joyful! Just a plug here – I hope you will join us at Marchington Woodlands Village Hall on 15th August at 3pm for one of these creative ways to look at our faith and enjoy getting back together over tea and cake!So what is joy? The dictionary definition is a feeling of pleasure and happiness. Defining joy in ministry is difficult. I suppose that it is the pleasure of what I have just described. But then the happiness comes from the feeling I can get when I get the sense that a service has been well received, not that I’m often told! I just hope it has!But the real joy is that I am not alone – I may live alone but I have a companion in all that I do – one who understands me, one who I can talk to, one who puts up with me, accepts me as I am with all my faults and failings, one who will never walk out on me, one who will give me encouragement. There is the continuous assurance that God in Jesus through the Spirit walks beside me always. What more can I ask for!?Maggie Hatchard, Reader for Uttoxeter Area of Parishes.
GRATWICH NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2021 Tell out my soul the greatness of the Lord Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice Tender to me the promise of his word In god my Savour shall my heart rejoice. GRATWICH SERVICES IN AUGUST SUNDAY 1st 7.00pm Evening Prayer via ZOOM SUNDAY 8th 11.15am Holy Communion IN CHURCH SUNDAY 22nd 7.00pm Evening Prayer IN CHURCH SUNDAY 29th 10.00am AREA SERVICE – Greatwood Primary School, Tean It is not necessary to book a seat or wear a mask in church but if you feel you would prefer to wear a mask that’s fine. There will still be hand sanitising and social distancing for the moment. Blimey actual Summer Weather in July and hot enough to make hay as well!! We made ‘almost’ hay and had it wrapped as we don’t have a barn to keep hay in. It brought back memories of long ago (eee when I was young!) haymaking at home in-between milking times and in the evenings – small bales by pitchfork, not like today with large round bales moved with tractor spike. It was hot work and I suppose tiring at the time but travelling back up the field on top of a load of bales was the best thing ever. 100 CLUB – JULY - drawn at the Evening Service on 25th July 1st Bonnie Cotton 2nd David & Co Woolley 3rd Carol Woolley The 100 club started it’s new year in July – if you would like to join/rejoin please contact Sue Capewell 01889 502241 (Church Treasurer) ASAP. The next draw will be at the evening service on 22nd August in church . EASY FUNDRAISING FOR ST. MARY’S As you may (or may not) know the PCC are raising funds to re-wire the church (new heaters and lights too), have the water connected and install an eco-toilet in the churchyard. If you register with www.easyfundraising.org.uk and support St. Mary’s church Gratwich, when you shop on-line (as most of us do!) they will donate money to St. Mary’s. It doesnot cost you anything (or make your purchases any dearer) but would be a big help to church funds. Have a look there are 100s of companies to shop from so there will be some you buy from I am sure.The Uttoxeter Area of Churches Invites you to AN AFTERNOON TEA! Sunday 15th August 3.00 – 5.00pm At Marchington Woodlands Village Hall ST14 8PF Join us for an afternoon of activities for all the family – and tea & Cake!! ***************************************************** MARCHINGTON OPEN GARDENS 7th and 8th August 11.00am – 5.00pm £5 Entry by wristband available from Marchington Shop (next to the church) www.marchingtonshop.co.uk Refreshments and wine tasting at the shop Also Refreshments served in some of the gardens. ********************************************************* St. John the Baptist Church, Stowe by Chartley Pet Service Sunday 5th September 3.00pm All welcome to come along with their pet/pets To Book a place please phone: 01889 270114/01889 270596 The article below was written by Mrs Elizabeth Statham who farmed at Elm Farm, Bramshall and is borrowed from Bramshall Newsletter. She was born in 1895 and was the grandmother of Robert Statham who farms there now. The House in Gratwich used by the Postman to mend boots in was situated in the corner of the Church Croft by the road and called “The Postman’s Hut”. The ruins of which are still there in the nettles. BRAMSHALL AS IT USED TO BE How well I remember the lovely countryside around Bramshall: the footpaths, especially the unique one which was raised over three feet down Bennett’s Lane, which has unfortunately been allowed to go astray and would have been much more valuable in these days of heavier traffic. At the termination of this path we turned in across the field opposite, to cross the railway over the bridge and so on to the Great Northern Line. Past this we went over a stile and through a field to a rather shaky plank with only one handrail over the brook. A coppice lay opposite, after which we came out onto the main Stafford Road. To view Bramshall from Loxley Hall was well worth the effort, not only of knowing most of the fields by name, but also all their associations over so many years. Coming back to the village, which used to be a hive of activity, we saw the local Baker’s shop, Wheelwrights, Butchers, Cobblers and not forgetting the busy little Bramshall School, where concerts were held and local talent used. These were worthy to be remembered. I recall the Whist Drives and the Dance Music to gramophone (by special permission) in the good old days, when most of us appreciated our limitations but made the most of them. There was the postman on his early morning round, delivering letters, then collecting boots to repair to occupy himself for the rest of the day at a house in Gratwich. He came back about six in the evening to collect the post and take it on to Uttoxeter in time for the G.P.O. mail coach to Stafford. This returned during the night with the next day’s post. I think the well, which supplied the majority of drinking water for the village, deserves a mention. Regularly one could see folk shouldering their buckets attached to yokes which were worn across their shoulders. This well was called “Incroft Well”, where the water was filtered before use. Most pumps were terribly hard to use and I remember that the water tended to be the same. If anyone has any information about Gratwich in the past please let me know – it would be lovely to put it in the newsletter. Jenny 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@btint
