Sunday 12th October
Harvest
Sunday 12th October
9:15 am Harvest Holy Communion St Lawrence Towcester
9:15 am Harvest Holy Communion St Michael’s Bradden
10:15 am Benefice Sunday Worship via Zoom
11:15 am Family Worship St Bartholomew’s Greens Norton
2:30 pm Baptism St Bartholomew’s Greens Norton
Subscribe to our weekly Newsletter here.
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 October
Copies are available in churches for collecting especially for those who do not have emails.
Dear friends,
In last week’s mailing, Greg mentioned the imminent announcement of the new Archbishop of Canterbury. We now know that the 106th Archbishop will be The Most Reverend and the Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally, DBE, to give her full title. Throughout the week, many people have expressed delight at her appointment and asked whether I am pleased.
My response has been one of both joy and fear: joy that, within my lifetime, the roles of women within the Church have expanded to the point where a woman can be called to serve as Archbishop; and joy also that Sarah brings with her proven quiet leadership, the heart of a shepherd, and a deep pastoral wisdom rooted in service. Yet there is also fear, because the role carries some almost impossible challenges, balancing a deeply divided Church, bearing the weight of global expectation, and leading with grace in a complex world.
Even now, there are those who feel able to question or undermine the ministry of women, as if calling were determined by gender rather than by God. Too often, qualities that are celebrated in male leaders, such as decisiveness, strength, and conviction, are criticised in women as being controlling, overbearing, or difficult. Archbishop Sarah’s appointment is therefore both a moment of hope and a reminder that we still have work to do in shaping a Church where the gifts of all are honoured equally.
Within hours of the announcement, letters were released from bishops providing alternative oversight for those opposed to the ordained ministry of women. The Bishop of Risborough wrote a gracious and pastorally sensitive letter, acknowledging difference while affirming the ministry of women and the unity of the Church. The Bishop of Ebbsfleet also offered a thoughtful and reconciling message, seeking to hold together faithfulness to conviction with generosity of heart towards the wider Church. In contrast, the GAFCON statement was painful to read, strident in tone, dismissive in spirit, and seemingly blind to the hurt such words cause.
For those who value and support the ministry of women, the tone of these letters will speak volumes. The gracious responses from the Bishops of Risborough and Ebbsfleet will be received as healing and hopeful, while the GAFCON letter will be experienced as alienating and deeply wounding.
On Tuesday morning, the Ven. David Painter presided and preached at our monthly 9.00 am Communion service, using passages from Ephesians 4:1–16 (with the addition of the word women to verse 8) and John 15:1–17. David spoke about Bishop John’s retirement service, Fr James’s final service (as he moves to High Wycombe), the licensing and relicensing service for Lay Ministers (of which we are so blessed in this Benefice), the arrival of Fr Alessandro at St Thomas More, and of course the appointment of Archbishop Sarah. It was a timely reminder that Jesus came to shake up and change the old order, and that God calls us as we are. He equips each of us with the gifts we need to undertake the tasks that face us, and it is in and through his strength that we serve.
As Greg also mentioned last week, we are currently celebrating Harvest across the Benefice, and some photos below show our beautifully decorated churches. We are very grateful to those who have offered their time and talents to make this possible. The school and nursery services have gone really well, and the generosity of donations to the Foodbank has been wonderful (weighed in at 144.7kg!!!)
Alongside the services, there have been a number of other successful events. The Harvest Supper at Greens Norton raised over £600 for St Bartholomew’s Church. The first of this year’s welcome lunches for the St Lawrence congregation was a lovely time of fellowship. The new Tuesday lunchtime initiative was so popular that extra seats had to be squeezed in, and there was plenty of Soup, Sandwiches and Social. The Churches Together AGM also saw a number of new representatives join the committee and brought a sense of new energy and purpose for the year ahead.
As we reflect on all this, may we hold fast to joy and continue in prayer, for Archbishop Sarah as she prepares to take up this calling, for healing and grace in the divisions across the Church, and for our world where fear is so often rife. May God grant us courage, compassion, and hope in our own places of service.
Finally, we have been asked to share news that Nigel Read, who was Deputy Head at Sponne School from the early 1970s through to 1994, died on 30 September. His funeral will take place on Friday 17 October at 10.45 am at Crownhill Crematorium, Milton Keynes (MK8 0AH), followed by a gathering at his home, 9 Wordsworth Close, Towcester NN12 6JU.
With my prayers
Revd Paula Challen
Rector
From this week
Ukraine
We are pleased to share that Alex and Steve have returned safely from Ukraine after delivering our 7th ambulance full of aid, and also helping Northampton Becket Rotary deliver their 2nd. Upon handover, Alex and Steve received recognition for their Ukrainian aid efforts. The ambulances are now on their way further eastwards with volunteers and frontline paramedics where the contents will be shared with institutions and individuals in need, and the ambulances put to work helping to save lives.
Thank you again to everyone who has supported the team this year aid work ! 
Steve Challen
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):
Deuteronomy 26: 1 – 11 Revelation 14: 14 - 18 John 6: 25 - 35
This week's Reflection by Revd Nigel Clent entitled "Every Day is a Harvest Day"
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
