Sunday 16th November
Second Sunday Before Advent
Sunday 16th November
9:15 am Family Communion St Lawrence Towcester
10:15 am Benefice Sunday Worship via Zoom
11:15 am Holy Communion St Bartholomew’s Greens Norton
1:00 pm Bell Peal St Lawrence Towcester
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Looking ahead to events and services that are happening please do look at the monthly calendar for November
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Dear all,
Last Saturday, for the first time, I took part in the Lord Mayor’s Show – though for this year it was renamed the Lady Mayor’s Show at the request of Dame Susan Langley the new Lord Mayor. Some of you may know that I’m a member of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, one of the Livery Companies, and a freeman of the City of London. I enjoy taking part in the life of the company and city when that is possible.
The Company of Glass Sellers promotes knowledge of the properties of glass in schools and helps with education projects in the City of London and elsewhere around the country. It also supports smaller businesses and artists working in glass through exhibitions, competitions and with significant prizes. Glass can range from the glass of chandeliers and crystal glass to industrial and studio glass. A link with my career as a physics teacher is that glass is used to make optical fibres, the backbone of the internet and telecommunications, and the optics of telescopes and microscopes, as well as the glass of mobile phone screens.
The Lord Mayor’s show is a historic event that dates back more than 800 years and is one of the focal points of the City of London Calendar. It was a fantastic spectacle and uplifting to take part. A great deal of waving was done by participants and observers. The three-mile-long procession is a snapshot of the Square Mile, bringing together the bygone era of English tradition and pageantry with the modern business City. There were military bands and livery companies along with community groups, charities, and overseas organisations. It was a joyous and unique day. The centrepiece is the state coach the Lord Mayor travels in on the day from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice.
The Lady Mayor had personally encouraged the Company to take part, and with Cinderella’s Glass Coach as the centre piece, the theme for our float was “Glass Through Time -reflecting History, Shaping the future”. The master Glass Seller had presented Dame Susan with a glass slipper early in the morning, the coach was then used by the BBC for their opening shots, and we accompanied the coach through waving crowds with various aspects of the glass industry on our hats – mine was a telescope !
It was very much a family day, and all generations took part together. As at our formal dinners we had a group of cadets to accompany us. The theme of the generations coming together continued to the Sunday. It was very special to have packed churches on Sunday as we paused to remember those who had given their lives in wars and conflicts over the last 100+ years. Cadets, and the uniformed organisations, attended with their flags together with families and dignitaries ,and all came together for the solemn Remembrance Sunday services. A very welcome to all who came and took part.
As the weeks progress now we will soon come to the end of the church year on the Sunday called Christ the King. Then on Sunday 30th November, Advent Sunday, we begin the new year. This Sunday is marked by one of the great services of the year, the Advent Carol Service.
I’d like to flag up that the Tuesday evening Bible Study is now embarking on the study of Matthew’s gospel.
And a message from Helen; WALKING INTO ADVENT 30th NOVEMBER 2025
Every Christmas, we celebrate the coming of our Lord to the Earth to rescue us. Advent is the time when we wait in hope and anticipation. God came and dwelt among us. This year, we thought it would be good share our joy with the people of Towcester, by walking down Watling Street carrying Lanterns. These can be proper lanterns or jam jars with battery operated tea lights in, which we can provide. We can meet at 3.30pm, starting from Whittons Lane. The aim is for us all to be carrying lanterns and slowly walk towards St Lawrences, perhaps singing as we go. We will go into the church in time for the Advent Service at 4pm.
If you would like to join us, please contact Helen Castle on 07786-385207 or the Benefice Office on 01327350459.
With every blessing,
Greg
Northamptonshire Historic Churches Trust
Ride and Stride - 13th September 2025
Thank you to everyone who sponsored me. I enjoyed four short walks (two of them different from last year) and only had to put my umbrella up once. Thanks to your support, I raised £500, half of which will be returned to St Lawrence Church, Towcester. I was lucky in once again receiving sponsorship from Towcester Homes estate agents and also from several very generous individuals. Churches which raise money for the Ride and Stride are regarded favourably when applying for a grant from NHCT. Ride and Stride is always the second Saturday in September so the 2026 date will be September 12th. I would be happy for anyone to come on all or some of the walks with me.
Val Hartley
The annual Explore Day is an information occasion for those who feel God may be inviting them to serve. It is open to everyone and is an opportunity to hear from people who have gone into new opportunities to serve God, Church and community and have the opportunity to meet others who are also wondering what God is inviting them to next.
Bishop Debbie has recorded a video inviting people Explore Day. Watch the video here.
https://www.peterborough-
Forthcoming Events
Worship for this coming week
Lectionary Readings : (these links will take you to Bible Gateway from the NRSV):
Malachi 4: 1 – 2a 2 Thessalonians 3: 6 - 13 Luke 21: 5 – 19
This week's Reflection by Jane Jakes entitled "By standing firm you will gain life"
Zoom Services:
The meeting rooms are opened approx. 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 Hours
Monday to Friday
9:30 am to 1:00 pm
01327 350459
tovebeneficeoffice@gmail.com
Key Ministry Team Contacts
The Rev'd Paula Challen (Rector) rector.tovebenefice@gmail.com
The Rev'd Greg Roberts (Associate Priest) TheRevdGregRoberts@
The Rev'd Nigel Clent (Assistant Curate) tovecurate@gmail.com
Sarah Barnett (Children and Families Leader) tovefamilies@gmail.com
