Update on Sunday Worship

Sunday 14th September

Holy Cross Day

Sunday 14th September
9:15 am Holy  Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester
9:15 am Holy  Communion at St Michael's, Bradden
10:15 am  Benefice Sunday Worship via Zoom
11:15 am Holy  Communion at St Bartholomew's, Greens Norton 
4:00 pm Choral  Evensong at St Mary's, Easton Neston


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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 September

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

Changes to Service pattern in September at St Bartholomew’s
Holy Communion will be taking place at St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton on Sunday 14^th September and on Sunday 21^st September there will be Family Worship at Greens Norton Primary School, followed by a Fun Day.
 

Dear friends 

Have you ever had a week where the same theme seems to echo back at you from different directions, through scripture, prayer, and even unexpected conversations? That has been my experience recently, as I have been struck by words about how we treat one another.

At a course last week, two quotes stayed with me:

• “Systems change when people change, and people change when they are cherished. Cherishing is love with its sleeves rolled up.” (Fr Gregory Boyle)
• “If you do not transform your pain, you will transmit it.” (Richard Rohr)

Then, in Morning Prayer, Proverbs reminded us that “those who are slow to anger calm contention” and that “the mind of the righteous ponders how to answer.” And in Philippians we are urged: “Do nothing from selfish ambition, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.”

These words feel timely. It seems to me that, in many places, nationally, locally, and even in our own communities, there is too much hurt being passed around and too little cherishing of one another. A degree in “taking offence” comes easily to all of us. But when we slip into tittle tattle, quick judgments, or unkind assumptions, we transmit pain rather than healing it.

Perhaps part of the healing comes when we pause long enough to walk in the other person’s shoes. The person before you is often trying their best with the skills they have. It may not be the way you would do it, but it is their way. Instead of being quick to judge, what might it look like to ask how we can support them?  How might we cherish them into a way that allows them and us to flourish? 

The good news is that we are not left to ourselves. In the collect for the last week, God is always “more ready to hear than we to pray” and pours out mercy in abundance. And as Revd Nigel reminded us in his sermon last Sunday, the call of discipleship is costly. It asks for humility, forgiveness, and grace. Yet it also brings freedom and life, both for us and for the communities we belong to.

So perhaps this week we might pause and ask: Am I cherishing others? Am I passing on pain, or am I passing on grace?

As we reflect on those questions, we also continue to live out our discipleship in the ordinary rhythm of church and community life. Here are some of the things coming up this week across the benefice:

A reminder that this weekend is Heritage Weekend and Ride and Stride, so please do support the churches across the benefice.  Don't forget the Detectorist Event in Bradden Saturday Evening and the Choral Evensong on Sunday at Easton Neston at 4pm. 

Sunday morning service at St Bartholomew's will be Holy Communion not Family Worship as that will be next Sunday (21st) at Greens Norton School as part of Family Fun Fest.

This week Davina & Chris Bowmer moved from Greens Norton to Northumberland after many years support in lots of areas of village life. Davina particularly as member of St Bartholomew's Church, has supported the church in so many hands on ways including as part of the organising committee for the village fete, a regular member of the church cleaning rota, and being the Stewardship Officer.  Respecting that they didn't want a big presentation and lots of fuss we organised a more low key gift delivery as a thank you and to send them on their way with our love and prayers.

Finally to let you know Bridget Hunt's funeral will be on Monday 22nd September 12noon at St Michael's Church in Silverstone followed by burial in the churchyard. Afterwards there will be refreshments at the SRA in Silverstone.  Please do hold Roy, Victoria, Julian and all their families in your thoughts & prayers at this time. We are gathering a choir for the service if you would like to sing please let me know.

With my prayers 

Revd Paula Challen
Rector

St Lawrence Church Welcome Lunches

We are delighted to be running a second year of Welcome Lunches! Thank you to everyone who gave feedback after last year – based on this, we are making a few changes to how people are invited.

This year, if you would like to take part, we are asking you to put your name into a draw. From this, up to 30 places will be offered.

By putting your name forward, you are committing to:

• Attending all four lunches (dates below)
• Helping with setting up and catering as needed

Lunch dates:

• Saturday 5th October
• Saturday 25th January
• Saturday 26th April
• Saturday 19th July

At the back of church you will find a box and slips of paper. Please complete a slip by Sunday 21st to enter the draw.

If you are not invited this year, your name will automatically go onto the list for next year. If you have already attended previously, we encourage you to consider stepping back this year so that others can have the opportunity to join.

We look forward to sharing food, fellowship, and friendship together!

Renew169 is a wellbeing café in Towcester and is a place where it is OK not to be OK. The café is part of the national Renew network which began in Nottingham. We are open to everyone in the community with a view to helping people to feel less isolated and also supporting them with their mental health. The charity was started in 2018 as a Churches Together initiative. We have had quite a few changes at trustee level and are now in need of some new trustees, up to a maximum of three. In particular, we urgently need someone who could be our treasurer – if that could be you, please contact Dr Lynn Suter, Chair of Trustees at lis@suter.uk.com. Other people who feel called to be a trustee may also contact Lynn at the same email – thank you.

The Northamptonshire Historic Churches Trust Ride and Stride
This will be taking place on Saturday 13^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 etc, 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.  Some participants drive round the churches which is ok as long as their sponsors don’t mind! 
St Lawrence Towcester is planning to be open between 10am and 6pm on the 13^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. It is very unlikely you be inundated and you may not be able to welcome anyone at all during your hour.  Welcomers can be sponsored but it is not essential.  We are also hoping to have participants raising sponsorship by cycling or walking (50% of the basic amount excluding Gift Aid is returned to the church of your choice)
I am planning on either cycling or walking between some of the local, or maybe not so local, churches and would be happy to have anyone else with me. 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 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
St Mary, Easton Neston will be open and manned from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
St Bartholomew, Greens Norton will be open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, manned from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with refreshments.
There is information about NHCT and Ride and Stride on the NHCT website www.nhct.org.uk also showing photos of 2024 participants and their stories.

Towcester Primary School

Towcester Primary School are seeking regular weekly volunteers to listen to readers.
Please contact Elizabeth Sandham on 01327 350332 or office@towcester.pdet.org.uk for more information.

   

Ukraine

On 5th October Alex and Steve will likely be making their last drive to Ukraine. Alongside Northampton Becket Rotary, they will deliver and donate 2 ambulances full of aid - medical, rehabilitation, and humanitarian. Our ambulance will be particularly poignant, as it is being donated in memory of a volunteer paramedic friend of our aid team, who was sadly killed in August whilst helping others. Thank you to all those who have donated items and supported previously. It will cost £5500 to buy, drive, and donate this ambulance. It is always hard to fund these ambulances, but we know they help save lots of lives. If you would like to support this last trip, then please use the link below, pop into the Chantry Office or speak with Steve direct 07593700754 

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/towcesterambulanceukraine?utm_medium=CR&utm_source=CL

Worship for this coming week 

Lectionary Readings: (these links will take you to Bible Gateway from the NRSV)