Update on Sunday Worship

Sunday 23rd August

The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

Thank you for visiting the Tove Benefice website.

We are currently reviewing our approach to communications and would appreciate your feedback.  We would particularly like to know if this is your first visit or you are a regular visitor to the website.  It would also be helpful to understand what it was you were looking to find out.

Please contact us using the Your Comments page, by email to 360musafa@gmail.com, or by contacting the Tove Benefice Office.

Saturday
  2:00 pm  Baptism at St Lawrence, Towcester

Sunday
  9:15 am  Holy Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester
10:15 am  Benefice Sunday Worship via Zoom 
11:15 am  Family Communion at St Bartholomew's, Greens Norton
11:15 am  Holy Communion at St Augustine's, Caldecote
  2:30 pm  Baptism at St Lawrence, Towcester


Subscribe to our weekly Newsletter here.

Our weekly news contains details of services for this and next weekend, as well as daily bible readings, prayer requests and notices for forthcoming events. 

Looking ahead to events and services that are happening please do look at the monthly calendar for August

Copies are available in churches for collecting especially for those who do not have emails. 


Dear friends,

Having just returned from some time away, I was reminded of Greg's reflection a couple of weeks ago about Jesus' need to withdraw, to find time for rest, prayer and space away from the demands around him.

There is something important about stepping away from the normal routines of life. That doesn't necessarily mean physically going away. It might simply mean changing our rhythm for a while, putting down the phone, turning off the notifications, going for a walk, finding some quiet or making space to pray.

Perhaps the important thing is not where we go, but what we make space for. In lives that can so easily become filled with noise, activity and demands, stepping away can help us regain perspective and re centre ourselves on Jesus, remembering again who he is, who we are and what really matters. Jesus withdrew, but he also returned to the people he loved and cared for, and to the work God had called him to do.

As we look towards a new academic year and all that it will bring across our churches and communities, perhaps that is a good place to begin. What helps you to re centre yourself on Jesus, so that you can return refreshed to the people and places God has called you to?

As the summer holidays begin to draw towards their close, we are looking forward to the start of a new academic year and to Family Worship restarting in September. We are also delighted that Kim, Karen and Mike will begin their Licensed Lay Ministry training this September. Please do hold them in your prayers as they begin this new chapter. We look forward to journeying with them and seeing the gifts God has given them continue to develop and flourish as they explore where he is calling them to serve.

There are a few dates for your diary:

• Sunday 30th August 10:15 am we have a Benefice Service at St Michael's Bradden - hope you will join us. Then in the afternoon is Greens Norton Village Show with events in a number of venues - including St Bartholomew's Church. Do come along and enjoy a cream tea (in church) and to see the wonderful exhibits - it's not too late to take part.  Applications forms are available in church. 
• Ride, Stride and Drive is on Saturday 12th September and, as you will see from Val's note below, all our churches will be open to visitors. Please do consider helping to welcome people at your local church. It really does make a difference to have someone there to greet you, even if it is only one person who walks through those doors. What a wonderful opportunity to take a book and read in the peace and quiet while you wait!  Some of our young people from Faith, Fun and Food are also keen to be involved. Originally we planned for them to cycle around all the churches in the Benefice, but unfortunately the risk assessment requirements have made that impossible, so instead they are planning to walk from Greens Norton to Bradden. If any other adults would like to join them for the walk, or if you would like to sponsor them, please speak to Sarah Barnett.
• Then, on Sunday 13th September, Family Worship at St Bartholomew's will, as last year, take place at Greens Norton Primary School, where we will join with the school community for their Family Fun Day. Later that day, at 4pm, we are hoping to have a Choral Evensong at St Mary's, Easton Neston.  If you would like to join the scratch choir for that service please speak to Judith Edwards or Revd Paula. 
• Finally, on Sunday 20th September at 9.15 am, our usual Family Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester, will include a special opportunity for thanksgiving and celebration, as we give thanks for the completion of two major projects at St Lawrence: our new heating and lighting, and our new projection and screen system. We are enormously grateful to all those whose generosity and support have made these projects possible, and we hope many of you will be able to join us as we give thanks and celebrate together.

Many across the Benefice will also be saddened to hear of the death of Lily Watkins, affectionately known as Nanny Lily, at the age of 99. Lily was a regular and much loved member of our worshipping community, both at services at St Lawrence and at Brook House. Her funeral will take place at St Lawrence Church, Towcester, on Wednesday 2nd September at 2:00 pm. Lily's family have asked that an invitation be extended across the Benefice to anyone who would like to attend. Refreshments following the service will be at Towcester Mill. Please hold David, Karen and Lily's wider family and friends in your prayers in the coming weeks.

With my prayers 

Revd Paula Challen 

"How Synod works is by learning from each other."

Jane, who worships with us when she is visiting family in Towcester, represents Leeds Diocese. In this video she shares what General Synod is really like, as we look toward the next quinquennium, as well as what she hopes for the future of Synod!
If you would like to find out more about standing for General Synod please do speak to a member of the clergy who can tell you how to register your interest. 

Ride, Stride and Drive

Saturday 12th September 2026

This is the new name for the Northamptonshire Historic Churches Trust sponsored event taking place on Saturday 12^th September with churches in Northamptonshire taking part along with many more all over the country.  Participants plan a route to walk, cycle, horse ride or drive a car, on their own or in a group, visiting churches, many of which are open with people to welcome them and nearly all with basic free refreshments.  It was agreed at the recent AGM that participants should be allowed to drive between churches.  It is hoped that more older and less mobile supporters can take part and that many churches, especially those on busy roads or rather out of the way, will receive more visitors and more people will take delight in Northamptonshire’s beautiful churches.

St Lawrence Towcester is planning to be open between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm on the 12^th September and we are looking to set up a rota of people willing to spend an hour or two in the church to welcome any visitors.  Welcomers can be sponsored but it is not essential.  We are also hoping to have participants raising sponsorship by cycling, walking or driving (50% of the basic amount excluding Gift Aid is returned to the church of your choice).
I am planning to do four separate walks between some of the local and not so local churches and I already have someone who is going to walk with me.  We are happy if anyone else would like to join us for all or part of the day. I would also welcome sponsorship and will be putting a sponsor form in the Chantry Office.
Anyone interested in finding out more, please contact Val Hartley on 07511 636883 or val.e.hartley@btinternet.com
 
Other churches in the benefice are also taking part:-
St Michael, Bradden will be open, unmanned from10:00 am to 6:00 pm
St Mary, Easton Neston will be open with welcomers from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
St Bartholomew, Greens Norton will be open with welcomers from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with refreshments.
 
There is information about NHCT and Ride, Stride and Drive on the NHCT website www.nhct.org.uk also showing photos of 2025 participants and their stories.

Worship for this coming week