Dear Friends
My thanks to Greg and Angela who have written the mailing for the last few weeks. There are a few things that I need to update you on and what is taking place over the coming months.
Firstly, I need to begin by letting you know about a change made only this week for the date of Greens Norton Fete. This is now going to be on Sunday 23rd June 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Bengal Manor, Greens Norton. A reminder that Towcester Fete will be on Sunday 30th June 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm at the Vicarage, Towcester. We apologise for any confusion over dates and look forward to people now being able to attend both of these events rather than having to choose.
Secondly, I need to let you know about some decisions that were made at last week's PCC meetings which affect our patterns of worship. The Service of the Word, which we introduced last June in Towcester and Greens Norton, has not worked as well as we had hoped. There have been a number of reasons for this and therefore after much discussion we have decided to make a few changes over the coming months. From May the 3rd Sunday 9:15 am in Towcester will become a Family Communion with a new Order of Service. Then from July the 3rd Sunday 8:00 am BCP Communion in Greens Norton will move to the 4th Sunday 11:15 am this will remain a said service (no hymns). We are also in the process of discerning whether these changes provide us with opportunities to offer other types of worship at different times.
Thirdly, as we are approaching our Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCM), it is an opportunity for you to consider whether you could use your talents and gifts for the benefit of our wider church life. Hopefully, you will have been given a leaflet called A brief Introduction to PCCs which gives you information about why we need to have PCCs and their role and responsibilities. Essentially without volunteers, who are willing to take on these roles, the churches would not be able to operate. Also ahead of the APCM we have compiled the Benefice APCM Report Pack. I know it is a long 52 page document, but it just shows how much goes on across our benefice, please either bring this along with you on your tablet or phone, or print up the pages you need for your PCC meeting (including my Rector Report and the Children and Families report). For those without computers or without the ability to print copies there will be a small supply available for collection in churches from this Sunday. If you are on the Electoral Roll you will receive this report twice as we will also email you directly with it.
Finally, we look forward to you joining us for worship this weekend, whether it be in person or via zoom. Please do not forget the events that are taking place on Saturday afternoon - The History Tour and Talk at Easton Neston and the Table Top Sale at Greens Norton . Do look at forthcoming events and make sure dates are in your diary for Ascension Day and Pentecost.
With every blessing
Revd Paula
Rector Tove Benefice
This week....
Another week to say thank you to South Northants Volunteer Bureau, and another small team from Barwood Capital Limited at Pury End who visited St Lawrence Church and helped Steve lay stones to carpark, the garden of remembrance and the front Chantry Garden. The stones once again help suppress the mud underfoot for all those in the carpark and the Garden of Remembrance We continue to receive positive feedback from within the community.
Next week a team from Barwood will be at St Bartholomew’s undertaking some work in the churchyard there. Such volunteering is of great help to the clergy and PCCs.
Worship for this coming week
28th April 2024
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Lectionary Readings: (these links will take you to Bible Gateway from the NRSV):
Acts 10: 44 - 481 John 5: 1 - 6 John 15: 9 - 17
This week's reflection by Paula Challen entitled "Unless someone guides me"
In Church Worship:
Details for services are in the Services for This Month.
This can be picked up in church.
Zoom Services:
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 Saturday 9.00 am Morning Prayer (except on the first Tuesday of each month)
Benefice Office Opening Times
9.30 am to 1:00 pm Monday to Friday
Annual Parish Council Meetings 2024
The Parishes of the Benefice are intending to have their meeting as follows:
St Michael’s, Bradden 12th May
St Mary’s, Easton Neston 4th May
St Lawrence, Towcester 12th May
St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton 5th May
These should be in the respective churches during the Service on that day.
Electoral Rolls Revision will take place over these time periods:
St Michael’s from 17 March to 14 April Exhibit on: 28 April
St Mary’s from 16 March to 13 April Exhibit on: 20 April
St Lawrence from 17 March to 14 April Exhibit on: 28 April
St Bartholomew’s from 17 March to 14 April Exhibit on: 21 April
On the last date for each Church, the Electoral Roll will be closed and the new one compiled and published in Churches on the Exhibit dates shown above.
Those wishing to join an Electoral Roll will find a link to a form here.
All completed forms must be returned to the Benefice Office by the dates in bold above.
PLEASE indicate clearly on the form which Parish it is for.
COVID Vaccination Clinics
Wednesday and Friday 24th and 26th April from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Towcester Rugby club.
Eligibility over 75 years and anyone who is immunosuppressed.
Please see Government Information to see if you fall into the categories.
Don't forget that the Weekly News contains details of this weekend and next weekend's services, daily bible readings, prayer requests and notices for forthcoming events in the Benefice and for Churches Together in Towcester, together with other relevant or interesting notices.
For details of how to make a donation to your local parish church, please click here.