Weekly News

Weekly News – 5th December 2021

Rector: Revd Paula Challen 01327 350459 rector.tovebenefice@gmail.com
Assistant Priest: Revd Lulu Pelly 07723 604316 lulupelly@yahoo.com
Assistant Curate: Angela Hammett 01327 358852  tovecurate@gmail.com
Children & Families Worker: Claire Reetz tovefamilies@gmail.com  07813 404061

Benefice Office: 01327 350459 tovebeneficeoffice@gmail.com
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 9:30 am to 12.00 noon and 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm.

Benefice Safeguarding Officer: Stephanie Watts 07553 157175

Weekly News – 5th December 2021
Second Sunday of Advent

Advent Collect
After the biding: You are God’s children.
Lord, make us one as we walk with Christ today and for ever. Amen.


The Collect

O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Post Communion
Father in heaven, who sent your Son to redeem the world and will send him again to be our judge: give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming that, when he comes again, we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today's Readings       
OT Reading:           Malachi 3:1–4
NT Reading:           Philippians 1:3–11
Gospel:                   Luke 3:1–6

Daily Readings

Benefice Notices

St John Ambulance Carol Service at St Lawrence
Wednesday 8th December at 7.00 pm. 
All are invited to St John Ambulance Carol Service with the fabulous Musical Charity Choir.
Refreshments afterwards.

Additional services and events across the Benefice:
Please do see the posters which will be going up shortly and offer, where you can, to help as a sidesperson to welcome congregations drawn from our wider communities.
Below is a list of just the additional services and events taking place.
• Sunday 5th December 3.00 pm - Christingle at St Bartholomew's, Greens Norton
• Sunday 5th December 4.00 pm - Christingle at St Lawrence, Towcester
• Wednesday 8th December 7.00 pm - St John Ambulance Christmas Service at St Lawrence, Towcester - Revd Lulu is the county chaplain
• Saturday 11th December 3.00 pm to 4:30 pm - Christmas Crafts at St Michael's, Bradden
• Sunday 12th December 6.00 pm - Lessons and Carols at St Lawrence, Towcester
• Thursday 16th December 6:30 pm - Carols in the Square at Towcester
• Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th December - Christmas Tree Festival at St Lawrence, Towcester
• Sunday 19th December 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm - Christmas Trail around St Lawrence, Towcester
• Sunday 19th December 6.00 pm - Carols by Candlelight at St Bartholomew's, Greens Norton
• Sunday 19th December 6.00 pm - Lessons and Carols at St Augustine, Caldecote
• Monday 20th December 6.00 pm - Carols at Bradden Gate
• Christmas Eve 3.00 pm - Crib Service at St Mary's Easton, Neston
• Christmas Eve 4.00 pm - Crib Service at St Lawrence, Towcester
• Christmas Eve 6.00 pm - Christmas Communion at St Mary's, Easton Neston
• Christmas Eve 6.00 pm - Carols, Lessons and Crib at St Michael's Bradden
• Christmas Eve 9.0 pm - Christmas Night Communion at St Bartholomew's, Greens Norton
• Christmas Eve 11.00 pm - Christmas Night Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester
• Christmas Day 9.30 am - Christmas Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester
• Christmas Day 9.30 am - Christmas Communion at St Michael's, Bradden
• Christmas Day 10:15 am - Benefice Zoom Service (normal Sunday details)
• Christmas Day 11.00 am - Crib Service at St Bartholomew's, Greens Norton
• Christmas Day 11:15 am - Christmas Communion at St Augustine's, Caldecote

In addition to the above we will be visiting our residential and nursing homes (Moorfield Alms Houses, Leeson Court, Ridgeway House, Brook House, Duncote Hall and The Lakes Duncote) and welcoming children for Christmas services (Rocking Horse Nursery, Greens Norton Primary, Towcester Primary and Year 7 from Sponne School) - again if you would like to join us for these visits or help welcome the children and their parents to church please do get in touch with your churchwardens or the Benefice office.

Advent and Christmas activities:
Claire and the Children and Families Team are busy planning some exciting activities for this Advent and Christmas. However, they need your help! If you have any empty toilet roll tubs (if we microwave them for 30 seconds we can now use them) or 4 pint/2 litre plastic milk bottles with tops (washed out), please can you bring them with you next time you are in Towcester or Greens Norton? The milk bottles are for a display at the Vicarage so please place these in the large sack on the Vicarage drive in Towcester. Toilet rolls can be dropped off to the Benefice Office or left in Towcester or Greens Norton Church.

Dementia Café:
Last Thursday of every month, 2.00 pm to 3:30 pm, Brook House Care Home, Towcester. An opportunity for carers to meet on a monthly basis to receive information and advice for caring for someone with dementia and to ask questions and share experiences.

Appointment of Churchwarden and Deputy Churchwarden:
Last Sunday, the appointment of Stephanie Watts as Churchwarden and Julie Godwin as Deputy Churchwarden of St Lawrence Church was approved. We will be updating the January 2022 edition of the Tove Messenger but if you do need to speak to Stephanie or Julie in the meantime, their contact details are as follow:
Stephanie Watts 07553 157175
Julie Godwin 07714 437044

Art Exhibition:
Saturday 4th December, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm at Chantry House.
Please come along to Zoritza Williams’ Art Exhibition at Chantry House where you can view some of her beautiful art work as well as purchase paintings, photographs and Christmas cards. Entry is free. One not to be missed.

Christmas Tree get in.
The Christmas tree at St Lawrence is to be decorated on Saturday 4th December starting at 10:30 am.
All are welcome to come and help.

Time4Tea 
Time4Tea has started via Zoom on Wednesdays at 2:30 pm.
This is an opportunity for people to natter and support one another across the Benefice.
Please call Angela on 01327 358852 to discuss how to join.

Christmas Meal 2021
When it comes to volunteering for the Christmas meal I have sufficient drivers to deliver the meals.
I will need four volunteers for Thursday 23rd at the Chantry between 10:00 and 12:00 to get all of the goody bags packed ready for delivery on Christmas Day. SNVB will also be asking for this.
For donations, the following explains what is involved. ‘Each Christmas meal will include a bag of Christmas treats as well as a small gift. Donations of money would be preferred and can be handed into the office, please get in touch with the officeif you would like to discuss anything else’.
If you or if you know anyone who may want a meal, then please get in touch with the office.
Jenny MaryL

Help at Services
We are very short of Acolytes at St Lawrence and no Crucifer especially leading up to Christmas services.
If you think this could be something you would be interested in please contact me at Samcfw68@gmail.com or call 07718763900.
Even if only once a month.
Chris Williams

Tove Messenger Reminder
Your subscription to the Benefice Messenger will become due on the 1st January 2022, To ensure you keep receiving it please either pay your subscription to the office or hand it to the person who delivers it to you.







We pray for those who are sick at this time and remember those who have recently died and pray for their families:

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

RIP diary for St Lawrence is now in Church
Please check it and add any names of loved one you wish to be remembered each year on the anniversary of their departing.

Services

Sunday 28th November
9:30 am  Holy Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester
10:15 am  Benefice Sunday Worship via Zoom
11.00 am  BCP Matins at St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton
11:15 am  Holy Communion at St Augustine’s, Caldecote
6.00 pm  Advent Carol Service at St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton

Monday 29th November
9.00 am  Morning Prayer  Zoom

Tuesday 30th November
8.00 am  Holy Communion  St Lawrence
9.00 am  Morning Prayer  Zoom
10:45 am  Mothers’ Union  Chantry House

Saturday 4th December
9.00 am  Morning Prayer  Zoom
6.00 pm  Advent Communion  St Mary’s, Easton Neston

Sunday 5th December
9:30 am  Holy Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester
10:15 am  Benefice Sunday Worship via Zoom
11am  Holy Communion at St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton
3.00 pm  Christingle Service at St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton
4.00 pm  Christingle Service at St Lawrence, Towcester



Monday 6 th December
9.00 am Morning Prayer Zoom
2.00 pm Leeson Court (MB)

Tuesday 7 th December
8.000 m Holy Communion St Lawrence
9.00 am Morning Prayer Zoom
12.00 noon Greater Chapter Yardley Gobion
7.00 pm Choral Society Rehearsal St Lawrence

Wednesday 8 th December
9.00 am Morning Prayer Zoom
9.00 am Tots own St Bartholomew’s
10:15 am Holy Communion St Lawrence
3:30 pm Prayer Group St Bartholomew’s
7:00 pm St John’s Ambulance Carol Service St Lawrence

Thursday 9 th December
9.00 am Morning Prayer Zoom
9:30 am Little Sprouts St Lawrence

Friday 10th December
9.00 am Morning Prayer Zoom
10.00 am Coffee Morning Chantry House
6.00 pm Choir Practice St Lawrence
8.00 pm Bell Ringing St Lawrence

Saturday 11th December
Christmas Tree Festival St Bartholomew’s
9.00 am Morning Prayer Zoom
3.00 pm Messy Church St Michael’s
7.00 pm Bell Ringer’s Dinner Greens Norton
7:30 pm Towcester Choral Society Concert St Lawrence

Sunday 12 th December
8.00 am Holy Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester
9:30 am Holy Communion at St Michael’s, Bradden
10:15 am Benefice Sunday Worship via Zoom
11.00 am Family Praise at St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton
1.00 pm Holy Baptism at St Lawrence, Towcester
2:30pm Holy Baptism at St Bartholomew’s, Green Norton 
6.00 pm Lessons and Carols at St Lawrence, Towcester

Autumn Evenings with the Vocation & Formation Team
Upcoming event to help you think through the past year, consider the year ahead and wonder about how the Lord may be calling you to serve Him.
To book into any of these and to receive the Zoom link to join in, please Email: Lesley-Anne.Marriott@peterborough-diocese.org.uk or phone Lesley-Anne on 01604 887048. 
New Year, NewYou? 
Monday December 6th – 7.30 pm to 8.45 pm on Zoom
Hosted by Revd Canon Steve Benoy - Get started on your new year’s resolutions. 
A chance to reflect on the past year and how God might be leading you in the year to come.


Towcester Foodbank
Help, please!!  Towcester Foodbank still needs volunteers 
Thank you to those who have recently volunteered. 
Some more are still needed - could you volunteer for one session a fortnight? 
Tuesdays 12.00 noon to 2.00 pm or Fridays 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. 
Training is given and Covid precautions are in place. 
Roles for behind the scenes or for front of house are available.  Also for helping deliver parcels in Towcester and surrounding villages.  
The Foodbank really needs your help.  Please do consider volunteering, and contact Lulu  07723 604316 or Helen for more information.
www.towcester.foodbank.org.uk

Churches Together Renew Wellbeing Cafe news:
Renew169 for men.  Monday Evenings - 7.00 pm to 8:45 pm.  
Come and join us, just drop in.  Do you sometimes feel a bit stressed out with life, have a low mood or feel anxious.  Or perhaps you know somebody else who is struggling; do them a favour and bring them along!  At renew169 there is an opportunity to play table tennis, a game of pool, chat or read the paper over a cuppa in a quiet space.  Everyone needs to take care of their wellbeing.  You don't have to be unwell....all are welcome.  #oknottobeok

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.

Watch
Don't forget the diocese daily video reflections on YouTube. 

Benefice Office email Address
Please note the new Tove Benefice Office email address:
tovebeneficeoffice@gmail.com

The Benefice Office  is open from 9:30 am to 12.00 noon and 12.30 to 2.30 pm Monday to Friday. 






Important Notice about Public Worship
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are calling for Church of England Churches to put public worship on hold and become a “different sort of church” in the coming months to face the challenge of coronavirus.
Please do read this statement and join us along with the Archbishops in prayers.
For those who have planned a baptism, wedding or funeral we are awaiting advice as to whether these can continue.
If you wish to speak with Revd Paula or Revd Lulu the number is 01327 350459.
Please do share this post widely and let people not on Social Media know.