Update on Sunday Worship

Sunday 27th April 

Second Sunday of Easter

Sunday
9:15 am  Holy Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester 
10:15 am  Benefice Sunday Worship via Zoom
11:1 5am  Holy Communion (BCP) at St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton

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

Looking ahead to events and services that are happening please do look at the Monthly Calendar May. Copies are available in churches for collecting especially for those who do not have emails. 

Dear friends,

Alleluia Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed Alleluia!

What a blessed and powerful Holy Week and Easter we had across the benefice.  Thank you to everyone who did their bit to prepare, decorate and welcome our churches during Holy Week and Easter.   The floral displays in all the churches were amazing - thank you. 

If you read or heard my reflection for Easter weekend you will know that I used both Flat Stanley (by Jeff Brown) and The Risen Existence (by Paula Gooder) to talk about how Jesus is with us always (Flat Jesus) alongside what it means to our resurrection existence of how Jesus makes us real. Paula Gooder put it like this "Jesus does this by drawing us, both in the sense of drawing us to him but also in the sense of re-creating and re-figuring us anew into a Christ-like existence; then he proceeds to colour us in. Our continued life in Christ is the way in which he colours us in."  As we move into this Sunday's readings we are considering, through the four set passages, how we continue to live in the light of Easter as people who live with eyes open to the pain of the world, and yet hearts open to the God who is still in it with us.  For those of you who are interested in seeing photos of Flat Jesus being shared by families you can see them here and if you would like to colour a flat Jesus in yourself then please pick one up from church or ask Sarah Barnett for one. 

As we head towards our Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCM) please note that all Electoral Rolls are now closed and are on display in each church.  Details are below about the annual report (electronic and paper), along with dates and times of meetings.   There are a number of vacancies on both PCCs and for church officers - the reality is we are caught in a catch 22 situation.  We rely heavily on volunteers and the older people are saying 'we served our time, we are stepping down to make way for younger people to come forward' and younger people are saying 'we are struggling to juggle work and family commitments, so can't take on another role.'  Without volunteers we can't function and fewer people are taking on ever increasing extra roles. I feel like the clergy are constantly banging the 'we need you to do more' drum - that is not fun for anyone. 

The stark reality in Greens Norton is - it is currently looking likely that there will be no Churchwarden after the APCM, and the treasurer role is being supported by the diocese with a PCC making bill payments. The PCC is currently made up of ministers (lay and ordained) and officers - there are no additional congregation members voices.  That makes it impossibly hard to share out responsibilities and find time to carry out the work that needs doing. 

On Maundy Thursday we washed feet remembering what Jesus did for his disciples, from John 13:

After Jesus had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

I ask you all, across the benefice, to prayerfully consider what you might be able to do, to support the life and worship of your parish church.  Where might your skill be best used?  It might not be a PCC member, but could you take on responsibility for something else that means the person currently do that role can consider a different role? 

Finally, assuming Nigel's first year is signed off in the next few weeks, Nigel's Priesting will take place on Saturday 5th July 4pm at Peterborough Cathedral.  We are organising a 33 seater coach which (assuming all the seat are booked) will be £25 per seat.  We already have 12 seats booked, but still over half left.  Please contact the office or speak with your churchwarden to book your place. Then on Sunday 6th July Nigel will preside at his first communion service this will be 3pm at St Bartholomew's Greens Norton - please save the date for this. 

With my prayers 

Revd Paula Challen 
Rector 

Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCM)

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) is a key event in the life of our church, offering an opportunity for everyone in the parish to reflect on the past year and look ahead together. It’s when we review the church’s finances, hear updates on ministry and mission, and elect churchwardens and PCC members who help guide the future of our church community. Your voice matters, and attending the APCM is a simple but powerful way to be involved and support the life and growth of the church. We encourage everyone to come along and take part.

The Benefice Annual report is now available.  In order to cut down on paper copies it is available electronically here.  A small number of paper copies are available in each church.  The report brings together reports for the whole Benefice and therefore you may wish to read them all or you may wish to read just the sections relevant to your parish.  The Contents page will help you find the relevent reports.  In addition to your parish reports, can I encourage you also to read my Rectors Report and the Children and Families Leader Report and associated accounts.

If you are unable to attend the APCM please can you send your apologies to PCC secretary.

APCMs will take take place during the service on the following dates:

Saturday  3rd May 6:00 pm  St Mary's Easton Neston
Sunday  4th May 11:15am  St Bartholomew's Greens Norton
Sunday  11th May 9:15am  St Lawrence Towcester
Sunday  11th May 9:15am  St Michael's Bradden

Forthcoming Events

Preparation of a New Electoral Roll

ELECTORAL ROLLS FOR EASTON NESTON AND GREENS NORTON ARE NOW CLOSED THE LATEST VERSION WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN THESE CHURCHES FROM THIS WEEKEND.

FORMS FOR TOWCESTER AND BRADDEN NEED TO BE COMPLETED BY MONDAY 21ST APRIL - PLEASE USE THE LINK BELOW OR PICK A FORM UP FROM CHURCH ON SUNDAY 

• St Lawrence Towcester, please return these forms to the Benefice Office either electronically or as hard copy by MONDAY 21^st APRIL 2025 click here
• St Michael’s, Bradden please return these forms to the Benefice Office either electronically or as hard copy by MONDAY 21^st APRIL 2025 click here

This new Roll will stand until 2031 and whilst there will be periods of time during these six years when the Roll is closed (approaching the Annual Meeting’s), applications to join can be made anytime outside of these closures.
 
Thank you
The Electoral Roll Officers of the Benefice