Being church for one another
The past 6 months have had different challenges for each of us; some have faced more acute challenges than others. As church we have faced the challenge of living out what we believe when many of our normal routines are removed.
We believe that God has united us together in Jesus as one body, one people, one family. I’m sure there are ways we could do that better in the coming months, but I wanted to thank you for the ways that you have kept caring for one another and being patient in times of loneliness for some. We really miss being together and being able to share properly in our fellowship together.
Thank you for your patience as we meet as church fortnightly. We greatly miss those who can’t be with us in person. If you can’t make your normal service then feel free to come to one of the other ‘repeats’ at either St Mary’s or All Saint’s. The PCCs recently reviewed our service patterns and risk assessments so please let one of us know if can see ways we can improve. We have reviewed whether we are able to have communion and don't feel it is sensible to do so at this time — we look forward to being able to share together when we are able to do so safely.
Upcoming service dates are:
9:30am at St Mary’s Selattyn on Sundays 27th Sep, 11th Oct, 25th Oct, 8th Nov (at 10.45am) and 22nd Nov.
at All Saints’ Gobowen on Sundays 27th Sep, 11th Oct, 25th Oct, 8th Nov, 22nd Nov.
11:00am (Pete & Mel’s Pastoral Circle) — except Nov 8th at 9:30am
12:30pm (John & Beth’s Pastoral Circle)
at All Saints’ Gobowen on Sundays 4th Oct, 18th Oct, 1st Nov, 15th Nov, 29th Nov.
11:00am (Margaret’ Pastoral Circle)
12:30pm (Geoff & Maggie’s Pastoral Circle)
Harvest 2020
Our Harvest Celebrations this year will be as part of our services on the Sundays of 11th and 18th October. We are thankful for the hard work of all who have helped provide in the past months: farmers, support workers, pickers, delivery services, shops, many others … and of course our all-providing Lord too. Any donations will support the Oswestry Foodbank. If you feel able to offer help to others at this time, you can give money or goods to support vulnerable households through the foodbank.
To give money, you can either give by bank transfer (Oswestry and Borders Foodbank, sort-code 40-35-32, account number 11785451) or by giving at one of our Sunday services. Their gift aid form is available here.
To give goods, please either bring items to a Harvest Service or you could drop them off at the collection point at Sainsbury’s in Oswestry. Urgently needed food items: jam, marmalade, honey, peanut butter, chocolate spread; ketchup, mayo, brown sauce and other sauces; rice pudding, custard; squash, fruit juice; tinned fruit; tinned vegetables, potatoes, instant mash; tinned fish (not tuna); hot chocolate; biscuits; porridge; deodorant, shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste.
If you are staying at home and would like a gift to be collected please get in touch with me. Cheques/Gift Aid forms can be posted to Oswestry Foodbank, 56 Beatrice Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1QW.
Tradecraft Christmas Cards
Margaret Linkins is kindly arranging an order of Tradecraft Christmas Cards this year. The designs will be available to browse and order in the All Saints’ Church Hall between the services (11:30-12:30) on Sundays 11th and 18th October. Or you can get in touch directly with Margaret on 01691 659557.
Electoral Roll and Annual Meetings
Our annual meetings for both parishes were delayed during lockdown but will now be hosted on Tuesday 20th October 2020
All Saints’ Hengoed with Gobowen: 6pm
St Mary’s Selattyn: 8pm
You can connect to the meeting from any telephone at the cost of a national number or via Zoom.
If you would like to practice connecting, there will be a practice session from 4:00-4:30pm on Monday 19th October using the same connection details.
As part of that meeting the Electoral Roll is reopened between 29th Sept – 4th Oct. Forms for new applications can be obtained from the Vicar or Roll Officer (previous names are remaining on the roll) and forms should be returned by October 4th.
Gift of Life Service, 1st November 4pm, All Saints’ Church
A service to remember with thanksgiving those whom we love and miss.
Any are welcome to join us, however long-standing or recent your bereavement. We hope that this will be both a help and a comfort to you and your family. No amount of time ever makes the sense of loss any less acute. Our prayer is that this service may be a small help in your journey.
If you are able to join us, please could you book online (http://www.allsaintsgobowen.uk/blog/giftoflife) or call the Vicarage on 01691 590 564 so we can manage capacity in the building. We also remind you that you will need to wear a face covering. As you arrive you will be guided on social distancing within the building as well as providing information for NHS Test & Trace.
Remembrance Sunday, 8th November 2020
Looking ahead to Remembrance Sunday this year, all plans are somewhat pencilled in at this stage. Given the restrictions on gathering at this time, we have decided it is not possible to have a joint service between All Saints’ and Preshenlle URC but will join together at the Gobowen Memorial. Across our two parishes we hope to offer:
9:30am at All Saints’. A service for those who would normally have attended at 11am (those in Pete & Mel’s Pastoral Circle)
10:45am at St Mary’s. A service of remembrance starting at the memorial.
11am at the Gobowen Memorial. Everyone is welcome at a brief Act of Remembrance led by Rev. Chris Burgham.
12.30pm at All Saints’. A service for those who would normally have attended at this time (those in John & Beth’s Pastoral Circle)
With my thanks and prayers,
Steve