Winter 2011-2012
Tasburgh and Tharston Church Newsletter “Fit it is we find a room” Christmas is a busy time of year, especially for those of us in Christian ministry – but the longer I am in ministry, the more I appreciate the flow and rhythm of our seasonal worship. Christmas is great, because it reminds me of God’s love for me. As Christina Rosetti wrote: Love came down at Christmas; Love all lovely, Love divine; Love was born at Christmas, Star and angels gave the sign. God went to great lengths to show his love for you and me, taking on flesh, living in a hostile world, suffering and dying – all for love. But love demands a response. If someone had bought me the most expensive present I’d ever been given, I wouldn’t ignore it – I wouldn’t leave the giver out in the cold. I would do my utmost to find out about this person who was professing such costly affection towards me. In this way, Christmas invites us to respond. Herrick wrote: The darling of the world is come, And fit it is we find a room To welcome Him. The nobler part Of all the house is the heart. Christmas speaks of the costly and intense love of God for us, and it invites us to respond, not just by singing carols or attending church – as lovely as those things are – but by opening our hearts and finding a room within for the king of kings. In all that life brings to us, in all the trials of this sometimes harsh world, don’t miss out on the fabulous love of God – the God who has made the first move. Wishing you true seasonal cheer, Adrian
Tasburgh and Tharston Church Newsletter - Winter 2011-2012
Tharston Church News Tharston Church Wardens Mrs Pat Read 530325, Mrs Sue Hubbard 530072 We enjoyed a delightful Harvest Meal again this year, this time using the village hall in Forncett. A good time was had by all. Thanks to those who helped organise it. We were delighted with the week of bell-ringing activity at the end of October to mark the launch of the special fund in memory of Paul Cattermole, who was much treasured among us and is much missed. We would love to see you at our annual Carol Service on Friday 16th December, where we shall welcome a talented local church choir. These occasions have been ones to treasure in past years and we are sure this will be too.
Tharston Church Services 4th Dec 4pm Fri 16th Dec, 7.30pm 19th Dec 8am 25th Dec 9.15am 15th Jan 8am 22nd Jan 11am 5th Feb 11am 19th Feb 8am 26th Feb 11am
Christingle Traditional Carol Service with choir Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Village Praise: Plough Sunday Village Praise Holy Communion Holy Communion
Special Services in Neighbouring Parishes 1st Jan
29th Jan 5th Feb
9am 9:30am 10am 6pm 7pm 6:30pm
BCP Communion, Newton Flotman Breakfast, Newton Flotman First Sunday Praise, Newton Flotman Cell Prayer Workshop, Newton Flotman The Gathering, Newton Flotman Benefice High Mass at Candlemas
Tasburgh and Tharston Church Newsletter - Winter 2011-2012
Tasburgh Church News Tasburgh Church Wardens Vivienne Taylor 471790, Julia Orpin 470983 Our ancient building and our modern church room continue to receive good use for a variety of activities and events for all ages, and to provide a place of comfort and solace in today’s world. We’ve seen some ups and downs. We recently suffered some lead theft from the porch roof, and are taking steps to sort that out. On the positive, we’ve seen a record number of weddings at the church this year, all of which seem to have gone well and brought great blessing to those in attendance. Remembrance Day saw the church filled to the rafters, which was lovely. The PCC enjoyed a relaxed time away in the cathedral recently, and it was good to reflect on the good things that are going on, as well as to consider what we can do better.
Tasburgh Church Services 4th Dec 11th Dec 18th Dec 24th Dec 25th Dec 8th Jan 15th Jan 22nd Jan 29th Jan 5th Feb 12th Feb 19th Feb 22nd Feb 26th Feb
9.30am 3pm 6.30pm 3pm 11.30pm 10.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 7:30pm 9.30am
Matins Christingle Traditional Carols, with choir Crib Service Midnight Communion Christmas All Age Celebration Holy Communion & Children’s Church All Age, with shared breakfast Communion, Children’s Church & Sat Nav Epiphany Praise & Children’s Church Matins, Children’s Church & Sat Nav Holy Communion & Children’s Church Youth Service, with shared breakfast Ash Wednesday - Penitence & Healing Communion, Children’s Church & Sat Nav
Tasburgh and Tharston Church Newsletter - Winter 2011-2012
Dates For Your Diary December Lower Tasburgh Carol Singing – 7:30pm, Mon 19th Dec – starting at Harvey Close – all welcome – refreshments provided Upper Tasburgh Carol Singing – 6:30pm, Tue 20th Dec – starting bottom of Henry Preston Road – all welcome – refreshments provided Tharston Carol Singing – 6:00pm, Tue 20th Dec, starting at Willow Farm –- all welcome - refreshments provided Scrooge - 3:00pm, Thu 22nd Dec, Saxlingham Church – see below
January Tasburgh PCC - Mon 9th Jan, 7:30pm, Church Room
February Deanery Synod - Wed 8th Feb, 7:30pm, Trinity Hall, Shotesham
Shoebox Appeal 2011 We sent 250 shoe-boxes off to needy children this year, in response to our appeal, from across the six villages. Well done to all who supported this worthwhile project.
“Scrooge” 3pm, Thurs 22nd Dec, Saxlingham Church For the first time, we are privileged to welcome Fusion Musical Theatre to our benefice. They are a group of local children (6-14 years) who will tell the story of Scrooge through music, song, dance and drama. The story will include a lovely nativity scene. There is no charge and no booking required (though first come will get the best seats!). Donations will go to support the Bulgarian Orphans Fund. Refreshments will be served after the performance. For more, see www.fusionmusicaltheatre.co.uk or contact Adrian.
Tasburgh and Tharston Church Newsletter - Winter 2011-2012
Tas Valley Cell Church Cells are vital units of the body – and cells in church life are small groups, which contain the DNA of what it means to be church. We meet to grow in faith, to pray and support each other, to learn from the bible and to join in actively sharing our faith and serving the wider community. If you'd like to join a cell, contact Jo Luxton (daytime, Newton) 473030; Andrew Gibson (Tues eves, Saxlingham) 499004; Chris Martin (Wed eves, Tasburgh) 470768; Richard Bond (Wed eves, Saxlingham) 578093; William & Vicky Ball (Thurs eves, Newton) 471506; Andy Cox (Friday eves, Newton) 471334; Chris Gaze (Sunday eves youth) 470762 Youth Cells (JAM) We meet on Monday evenings 7–8.30 to explore our faith and have fun together. Once a month, we have a social event – cinema, bowling, circus skills, lazer quest etc. Other nights, there’s a fast moving programme, with bible bits, drama, games, praying about stuff that means a lot to us and crazy stunts all mixed up. Contact Chris Gaze, e-mail: chris@tasvalley.org; telephone 01508 470762.
St. Mary's Guild – Tasburgh We meet on the first Monday of each month in the Church Room at 2.30pm. Please come and join us, everyone is welcome. Coming up.... 2nd Feb Mrs A Crawshay AGM Mrs C Crawshay Cycling for Charity 5th Mar Mrs P Anderson Amsterdam & Keukenhof Gardens 2nd April Mrs Trixie Dye Stones Guild Coffee Morning Saturday 21st January, 10.30am – 12noon 36 Henry Preston Road, Tasburgh Cake Stall, Raffle, Bring & Buy, Coffee & Biscuits - £1
Tasburgh and Tharston Church Newsletter - Winter 2011-2012
Regular Events/Groups Bible Study Group – New members are always welcome. Please contact Philip Simmons on 499041. Emmanuel Group – Meeting weekly in Tasburgh. Ask Renee Hollinger for more details or phone Shirley Brookes on 470369. Fairtrade – Fairly traded products catalogues are available on request from Val Cook on 470298. Music in Worship – If you’d like to sing in Tasburgh Church Choir or explore learning the organ, phone Sarah Norman on 471505. Prayer for the parishes takes place every day. Please give prayer requests to a churchwarden, clergy person or prayer box or board in church. On Tuesdays we meet to pray at Tasburgh Church at 9:30am. Children’s Church – Tasburgh has a Children’s Church for children aged from three years. This runs on the first, second and fourth Sunday of each month. All welcome. Contact Jane Rae on 470692. Tasburgh Crafts Club – Come and try new skills in a relaxed atmosphere. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month, 10am – 12noon in the Church Room, Tasburgh. Tasburgh Coffee Pot – Come and make new friends at the Coffee Pot. We meet every Wednesday from 2 – 4pm for a chat with coffee & cake. Church Room, Tasburgh. All ages welcome.
Making Contact Rev’d Sally Gaze: sally@tasvalley.org 01508 470762 The Rectory, Church Road, Newton Flotman NR15 1QB Rev’d Adrian Miller: adrian@tasvalley.org 01508 498317 The Rectory,re The Stet, Saxlingham Nethergate NR15 1AJ. Rev'd Chris Martin: chrism@tasvalley.org 01508 470768 The Rectory, Church Hill, Tasburgh NR15 1NB All contributions for the next edition to Adrian by the 10th February 2012. Thank you.