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Dear Friends
Congratulations to all those who took part in Ride and Stride last weekend. A huge thank you to those who sat in our churches to welcome visitors. Revd Lulu cycled around 12 churches in the deanery including all 5 in our benefice. She said to me how "getting out and about and doing physical exercise" had made her feel so much better.
On Monday and Tuesday we welcomed the Camino to COP pilgrims. A huge thank you to Revd Angela and the small team of volunteers, mainly from St Bartholomew's, who provided hospitality and care. The storytelling evening on Monday night was inspirational. The task of Climate Change may seem too big for us to even comprehend, and yet as Christians our calling is to be good stewards of all that God gives us including our care for the earth and creation. Over Harvest Season, within our churches and our school worships, we will be thinking more about how we might respond and change what we do, both as churches and as individuals.
Last Sunday morning Towcester was on BBC Radio Northampton not once but twice. Firstly, for the Camino and secondly, for this Saturday's Organ Recital & Unique Organ Duet at St Lawrence. Please do come and support what will be a very unique and enjoyable social evening, with not one but two organs filling the church for a tremendous music feast! Doors open 6:45pm for 7pm. Entry: Donations on the door (suggested minimum £5 per person) includes drinks, cheese and nibbles. One not be missed!!
On Saturday 25th September the Renew Cafe, which is part of Churches Together in Towcester, is holding a Fun Day at the new Tove Valley Centre. Anne Ellis, from St Bartholomew's, is a regular volunteer at Renew and is running the bottle Tombola. If you are able to donate a bottle of anything (be creative) please can you either take them to the Benefice Office in the Chantry House or Anne's home at 65 Falcon View.
Save the Dates - three October dates for you to put in your diaries.
- Saturday 9th October 10.00 am to 2.00 pm Arts & Craft Fayre at St Bartholomew's. We look forward to the return of this annual event and fundraiser. A chance to see and purchase from some local and talented crafts people.
- Sunday 10th October 2.00 pm to 4.00pm at St Lawrence a Deanery event called Restore and Refresh: Revitalising Congregational Singing. This is a great opportunity to restore confidence in singing and refresh our repertoire of hymns and songs after all the Covid-19 restrictions. Drawing on the rich mix of traditional and contemporary music available, this afternoon will get you singing again with enthusiasm whilst also holding together the emotional tensions of praise and lament. We will be led by Helen Bent.
- Sunday 17th October 3.00 pm at St Lawrence we are hosting the Deanery Confirmation Service with Bishop Andrew Proud who is an Assistant Bishop for the diocese and former Bishop of Reading. Please pray for those who are considering confirmation and those who are preparing them.
Following last weeks announce of the death of Bill King I can confirm his funeral will take place on Tuesday 28th September 1:30 pm at St Lawrence Church. Please hold Lis Nunn, her brother Andrew and the whole family in your prayers.
And finally, two lots of congratulations!!! Congratulations to Hannah Godwin who celebrated her 18th Birthday this week. We hope you had a fabulous time with your friends and family. And congratulations to Els and Tim on the birth of their first child, Joshua Philip Lane born last Sunday. We look forward to welcoming them at St Lawrence in due course.
With my thoughts and prayers
Revd Paula
Worship for The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
Lectionary Readings : [the links will take you to Bible Gateway from the NIV]:
Proverbs 31:10-33 James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a Mark 9:30-37
The reflection this week is by John Booth and is entitled 'Belief must come before right living'.
Zoom Services : please click here and follow the on screen instructions. The meetings rooms are opened about 15mins before the service is due to start. All the liturgy for the service will be displayed on the screen.
- Sunday 10:15 am Benefice Sunday Worship
- Monday to Friday 9.00 am Morning Prayer
In Church Worship : You can now book through the on line system as before OR sign in on arrival at Church. (You will be asked for contact details for the NHS Test and Trace).
- Sunday 8am Holy Communion at St Bartholomew's, Greens Norton
- Sunday 9:30am Holy Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester
- Tuesday 8am Holy Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester
- Wednesday 10:15am Holy Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester
In order to help us with the voluntary NHS data collection and to reduce queuing to get into services we would like to encourage congregations to reserve a seat for Worship in Church. Otherwise, you will be able to sign in on arrival, space permitting. Please bring a face covering with you. You do not need to print your ticket.
Please click on the links below to book for next week, The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity, 5th September.
If you find you are unable to book online, please call the office on 01327 350459. The reservation system will close on Friday at noon.
The Weekly News contains daily bible readings, prayer requests and all our additional notices for forthcoming events in the Benefice and for Churches Together in Towcester, together with other relevant or interesting notices.
If you know someone doesn't have internet access, please could you print a copy up and pop it through their door?
Bible study restarts 21st September.
The group meets at 7:30 pm on Tuesdays via zoom.
Everyone is welcome to join the group.
The group is looking at Romans 12 onwards.
Please email John if you would like to be involved.
Easton Neston Church and Churchyard visitors
If you have previously registered your number plate for access to visit St Mary's Easton Neston Church and Churchyard and it is not working the gate, please would you let Bev know on 01327 354385.
The Benefice Office is open from 9:30 am to 12.00 noon and 12:30 pm until 2:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Please be aware that the office is closed in the midday lunch break.
01327 350459 tovebeneficeoffice@gmail.com
For details of how to make a donation to your local parish church, please click here.
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