Update on Sunday Worship

Sunday 3rd May

The Fifth Sunday of Easter

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
6:00 pm  Holy Communion at St. Mary's Easton Neston

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

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 May

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

Dear friends,

This week brings three important and encouraging updates in the life of our benefice.

Firstly, following on from last week’s mailing…
Thank you to Greg Roberts for his reflection on Ascension Day, a reminder of this often overlooked but deeply significant moment in the Christian year, as we look ahead to Pentecost.

As we move through this season, we also join with Christians around the world in Thy Kingdom Come, a global wave of prayer between Ascension and Pentecost, inviting us to pray especially for others to come to know the love of Jesus Christ.

To support this, resources will be available in our churches from this week, including the Novena and Prayer Journal. Do pick up a copy and use them in whatever way helps you pray, whether at home, on the move, or as part of your daily rhythm. This is something simple, but powerful, that we can all take part in together.

Secondly, a reminder that our Annual Parochial Church Meetings APCMs begin this weekend.
Easton Neston will meet on Saturday evening, followed by Towcester and Bradden next Sunday 10th, and Greens Norton on the 17th.

All APCMs take place as part of the service, and everyone is warmly encouraged to be there. These gatherings are an important moment in our shared life, an opportunity to give thanks for the past year and to look ahead together to what God is calling us into next.

“Church is what we do together,” and APCMs are one of the ways we live that out. There are always ways in which each of us can support the ongoing life of our churches, whether through prayer, practical help, or offering our time and gifts in different ways.

We also shared last week that those on the Electoral Roll, for whom we hold an email address, should now have received the APCM report. Paper copies will be available in Greens Norton and Towcester from this weekend, and can also be posted on request via the benefice office.

Thirdly, an update on upcoming works at St Lawrence, Towcester.
As shared in our letter to the congregation in September 2025 , two significant projects are now moving into their installation phase over the summer months.

In early June, a new projector and screen will be installed. This has been made possible through a generous legacy, together with a contribution from Towcester Combined Charity. This will support worship, concerts, school visits, and wider community use of the building.

In early July, work will begin on the installation of new heating and lighting. This is a major investment in the future of the church, helping to improve comfort, energy efficiency, and year round usability. We are deeply grateful for the support of Richard Hicks, Towcester Combined Charity, Towcester Community Parkland, Benefact Group, Benham Charitable Settlement, and Northampton Historic Churches Trust in making this possible.

During both installation periods, the church building will need to be closed to the public, and our midweek service will temporarily move to the Chantry House during this time.

Across our benefice, we are constantly taking important steps to seek improvements that will ensure our churches remain places of worship that are warm, welcoming, and well equipped for mission and community life. These projects in Towcester are one example of that ongoing commitment, as we continue to invest in the life and future of all our churches.

There is much to give thanks for across our benefice at this time. Please continue to pray for each of our parishes, that the Holy Spirit would stir and inspire us, building us up as a people of faith and hope, and drawing others to Christ, as we hear throughout the Acts of the Apostles that “the Lord added to their number.”

With my prayers 

Revd Paula Challen 
Rector 

Open the Book – Join the Story!

It was a joy for our Open the Book team to visit Towcester Primary School recently, where we received a wonderfully warm welcome. We had great fun acting out the story of The Paralysed Man, bringing the Bible to life for the children in an engaging and memorable way. This story linked beautifully with the school’s values, particularly Fellowship, as we explored the importance of friendship, teamwork, and supporting one another.

We are always looking to grow our team and would love more people to get involved in this rewarding and enjoyable ministry. Whether you enjoy acting, directing, making props, or creating costumes, there is a place for you!

If you’d like to join the fun, please do get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.

If you’re wondering about time commitments, we’re planning three stories a year. Eventually, each story will be shared across four local schools, meaning we perform the same story four times—so once you’ve learned it, you’re ready to go!

Not everyone can give lots of time, but even a small contribution makes a real difference. Could you:

• Donate old bedding or curtains for costumes?
• Help sew simple tunics?
• Create props?
• Offer a helpful eye at rehearsals to support the actors?
• Take on a speaking role?

There are many ways to get involved—whatever your time or talents—and it’s great fun.

If you’d like to be part of it, please get in touch at tovefamilies@gmail.com and come and join in.

          


St Lawrence Church Fete and Craft Fair

Raffle Tickets are now available inside St Lawrence Church or The Chantry House. Please place your completed ticket stubs in the envelope and post through the Vicarage postbox, Chantry House postbox or bring to the Fete.

 Worship for this coming week