Update on Sunday Worship

Sunday 30th August

The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

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Sunday
10:15am Benefice Service at St Michael's Bradden


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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 August

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Dear all,

This Sunday, 30^th August, we have our Benefice service 10.15 am at Bradden. For those that don’t know it – it’s a lovely and very well-maintained village church. There is parking in the road and down towards the Village Hall. I find these occasions uplifting and positive as more people gather together. I think its encouraging for all concerned. Please do consider if there are family members, neighbours or friends who might value an invite and the opportunity to join us.

Our next Bible Study series begins on Wednesday (new day of the week). We’ll be thinking about the Book of Acts and Paul. The structure will be based on the book by  Tom Wright, Acts, from his For Everyone Bible Study Guides. There are copies for people to use. Meetings are 7.30 pm to 9:00 pm.

2nd September  Acts 1  Luke’s story Continues
9th September  Acts 2: 1-41  Wind and Fire
16th September  Acts 2:42- 3:26  Restoration and Refreshment
23rd September  Acts 4: 1-31  Clash of Loyalties
30th September  Acts 4:32- 5:42  The New Community
7th October  Acts 6  The Family Widens
14th October  Acts 7: 1-8:3  Stephen Tells the story
21st October  Acts 8:4 – 40  A Magician and a Finance Minister
28th October  Acts 9:  1-31  Saul Encounters Jesus
4th November  Acts 9: 32 – 10:48  God Shows No favouritism
11th November  PCC meetings
18th November  Acts 11  Controversy and Vindication
25th November  Acts 12  The True King Rules
2nd December  Hogs, Hits & Hallelujah @ Greens Norton
9th December  Acts 13  To Jews First and Gentiles Also
16th December  Acts 14  Open Doors and Opposition

There was an interesting article in The Church Times last week: ‘Gen Z are discovering the C of E’s traditions.’ The author Esme Partridge finds, ‘the breadth of Anglicanism provides a range of entry points for spiritually curious younger people.’

We may assume that people know nothing, yet a good proportion of the population will have attended Church Schools. Many will have experienced church for school services, Christingle services and festivals such as Harvest and family Christenings/Baptisms. Yet it is clear that attendance and the committed belonging of previous generations is sorely missing. We can assume that decline may continue unless we do something that appeals, is ‘contemporary’, and attractive. What Esme has detected is that ‘as the Church has receded from our national life and ceased to be the default option, it has become something quite different. It has become something to be discovered.’

My own experience of taking school groups around a church building is that young people are curious, interested and full of questions. A church building is a wonderful teaching aid. And there is so much to do from ringing bells, that call people to worship, gathering around the font to baptise a doll, to trying on vestments and discussing the centrality of the Eucharist in Christian Worship. Esme continues, ‘To encounter a tradition of such depth and historical significance which yet seemed to have been neglected by the modern world sparked curiosity in many. “I just found it absolutely fascinating,” one 21-year-old said, of stepping into a medieval church for the first time. “So I kept going back.” ‘.

She continues, ‘MOST people initially found themselves in an Anglican church because, at some point on their journey, they had met someone — a university chaplain, parish priest, or friend — who brought them there directly. But, when they arrived, the breadth of the Anglican tradition meant that they could find, in one church or another, the expression of Christianity which had first inspired them — and so they stayed.’.

And concludes, ‘The Church should embrace this potential for post-modern rediscovery, not by changing, but by preserving its traditions so that they may be found anew by a spiritually curious generation. As Dom suggested, “The best thing that the Church can do is stay open and be there doing what it’s always been doing. . . People will come when they’re ready; the Church just needs to be there.”

A link to the complete article is here,
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2026/21-august/comment/opinion/gen-z-are-discovering-the-c-of-e-s-traditions

With every Blessing,
Greg

Could you spare a little time?

I’m on the lookout for a few lovely people with a little time and energy to spare.

There are two areas where some extra hands would make a huge difference:

Sponne Wellbeing Club 
Tuesday and/or Thursday lunchtimes, 1.30 pm to 2.10 pm. This is all about getting to know our secondary school pupils, building and sustaining relationships, and helping us provide a calm, welcoming place where young people can eat lunch, chat, make friends and simply be.

Open the Book
Join our friendly team taking Bible stories into our local primary schools. It involves simple drama and storytelling (no acting experience required!), helping children encounter Bible stories in a lively and memorable way. It’s great fun and only involves occasional sessions.

Both roles require a DBS check and safeguarding training, but Bev or I will help you through all of that, and there’s no cost involved – other than a little of your time.

If either of these makes you think, “Actually, I could do that…”, please do get in touch with me. Even occasional help would be very gratefully received!

"How Synod works is by learning from each other."

Jane, who worships with us when she is visiting family in Towcester, represents Leeds Diocese. In this video she shares what General Synod is really like, as we look toward the next quinquennium, as well as what she hopes for the future of Synod!
If you would like to find out more about standing for General Synod please do speak to a member of the clergy who can tell you how to register your interest. 

Ride, Stride and Drive

Saturday 12th September 2026

This is the new name for the Northamptonshire Historic Churches Trust sponsored event taking place on Saturday 12^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 or drive a car, 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.  It was agreed at the recent AGM that participants should be allowed to drive between churches.  It is hoped that more older and less mobile supporters can take part and that many churches, especially those on busy roads or rather out of the way, will receive more visitors and more people will take delight in Northamptonshire’s beautiful churches.

St Lawrence Towcester is planning to be open between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm on the 12^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.  Welcomers can be sponsored but it is not essential.  We are also hoping to have participants raising sponsorship by cycling, walking or driving (50% of the basic amount excluding Gift Aid is returned to the church of your choice).
I am planning to do four separate walks between some of the local and not so local churches and I already have someone who is going to walk with me.  We are happy if anyone else would like to join us for all or part of the day. 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 from10:00 am to 6:00 pm
St Mary, Easton Neston will be open with welcomers from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
St Bartholomew, Greens Norton will be open with welcomers from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with refreshments.
 
There is information about NHCT and Ride, Stride and Drive on the NHCT website www.nhct.org.uk also showing photos of 2025 participants and their stories.

Worship for this coming week