Update on Sunday Worship

Sunday 11th May 

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Sunday
9:15 am Holy Communion with APCM at St Lawrence, Towcester 
9:15 am Holy Communion with APCM at St Michael's, Bradden
10:15 am Benefice Sunday Worship via Zoom
11:15 am Family Worship with Year 1 at St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton

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

Looking ahead to events and services that are happening please do look at the Monthly Calendar May. Copies are available in churches for collecting especially for those who do not have emails. 

Dear friends,

Last weekend, we held the first round of our Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCMs) at both St Mary’s Easton Neston and St Bartholomew’s Greens Norton. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported these opportunities to reflect on the life of the Church in our parishes.

This weekend it’s the turn of St Michael’s Bradden and St Lawrence Towcester, with St Augustine Caldecote. These meetings will take place as part of our 9:15am Communion Service.

On Bank Holiday Monday, the clergy attended the 80th anniversary of VE Day event at the Community Centre. Alongside photos and video footage of village life during WWII, we enjoyed a performance by the Greens Norton Community Choir. Unfortunately, a similar event planned in Bradden had to be cancelled due to low sign-up from the village.

As a benefice, we are marking VE Day within our Family Worship—last Sunday in Towcester and this Sunday in Greens Norton at 11:15am. On Thursday, our bell ringers in Bradden, Greens Norton, and Towcester rang to commemorate the occasion. I also supported the Royal British Legion in Towcester by leading an Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Brackley Road.

I wonder how many of you, like me, have been watching the events unfold in Rome? The symbolism, ritual, and tradition have been fascinating to witness.  Especially as they’re explained in ways that resonate with people today. In a world where the Church is often seen as disconnected from society, it’s been encouraging to see people of all ages showing interest and curiosity. It’s now 7pm on Thursday evening, and as I make my final edits to this mailing, St Peter’s Square has filled with thousands of people wanting to catch a first glimpse of Pope Leo XIV.

Across the country, Anglican churches are reporting an increase in children and young people turning up to ask questions about faith and explore deeper meaning. We’ve seen this in our benefice as well, with many thoughtful and reflective conversations. In response, we’re planning to launch a discipleship group in early June. We had also already begun conversations with Towcester Primary School about running a programme called Eucharistic Journey, similar to Experience Easter, for Years 4 and 5. Helping children understand things like communion and discipleship in an age-appropriate and meaningful way is essential for being a church that stays connected to the world around us. And who knows, we adults might learn something along the way too.

Speaking of adults, we also have our questions! On Wednesday next week, Revd Nigel is launching what we hope will become a monthly gathering called ‘God & Chips’ - subtitled No sermon! Just chips, chat, and real talk about faith. If you know anyone with questions or frustrations about church, please invite them to come along and bring their questions. You can book a place with Revd Nigel.

We continue to pray for the selection process for the new Archbishop of Canterbury. The Spirit is definitely moving... As we look towards Pentecost, we pray that God will raise up leaders who are guided by wisdom, filled with compassion, and bold in proclaiming truth, so that the Church may be renewed in power and unity for the work ahead.

Finally, there are two funeral / thanksgiving services coming up for people who have had connections to parishes.  The first of these is Helen Wooller who used to attend St Mary's Easton Neston.  Her funeral will be at Milton Malsor Crematorium on Wednesday 14th at 1:15pm followed by a Thanksgiving Service at St Mary's Easton Neston on Thursday 15th at 11am. Then the second one is to remind people that Ursula Beary's Thanksgiving Service is at St Bartholomew's Greens Norton on Wednesday 21st at 12noon. 

With my prayer 

Revd Paula Challen 
Rector

Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCM)

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) is a key event in the life of our church, offering an opportunity for everyone in the parish to reflect on the past year and look ahead together. It’s when we review the church’s finances, hear updates on ministry and mission, and elect churchwardens and PCC members who help guide the future of our church community. Your voice matters, and attending the APCM is a simple but powerful way to be involved and support the life and growth of the church. We encourage everyone to come along and take part.

The Benefice Annual report is now available.  In order to cut down on paper copies it is available electronically here.  A small number of paper copies are available in each church.  The report brings together reports for the whole Benefice and therefore you may wish to read them all or you may wish to read just the sections relevant to your parish.  The Contents page will help you find the relevent reports.  In addition to your parish reports, can I encourage you also to read my Rectors Report and the Children and Families Leader Report and associated accounts.

If you are unable to attend the APCM please can you send your apologies to PCC secretary.

APCMs will take take place during the service on the following dates:
Sunday  11th May 9:15 am  St Lawrence Towcester
Sunday  11th May 9:15 am  St Michael's Bradden

NOTICE

As you may be aware St Lawrence Church is currently having some masonry/stonework repairs and we would ask you NOT to park in the Church car park on Monday 12th May. Thank you

Forthcoming Events

Worship for this coming week