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 'Maureen's Musings'
November 2010
Let's begin the month of remembrance with a news roundup.
First of all - a belated Happy Anniversary to two of our stalwart
church couples. David and Liz Sampson celebrated their Ruby Anniversary
on the day of the Bells Run ... 17th October. And Sylvia and
Bob Harrington passed their Diamond Anniversary on the 28th of
last month too! (sorry Liz & Dave, you've got a few years
to go yet!) Having just officiated at what I think is the last
wedding in St Chad's for 2010 - (We have had 17 this year which
is not bad for a village of this size) and with 15 already 'in
the book' for 2011, it is good to know that despite all the competition
and with many couples 'just not getting round' to formalising
their relationship, there are still plenty who do value making
their commitment to each other in a formal way - in public and
before God.
Now for the
not so good news.... St Chad's and St Mary's have both been visited
by the lead thieves again this autumn. As I write we have only
just discovered the theft and damage in Pattingham - despite
all the measures that were put in place the last time this happened,
some years ago. While the Churchwardens go through the time-consuming,
frustrating and expensive processes of contacting our Insurers,
the Police and organise something to make the church water-tight
again, please keep them especially in your prayers and - if you
notice anything at all suspicious around the church or churchyard,
please notify me or them or the police as soon as possible. Thank
you. This problem has become so acute that the Insurers can now
only pay a fraction of the cost of replacing our roof covering.
Nationally, claims are running at over £1million for losses
caused by lead thieves.
In a week or
so our Archbishop, Rowan Williams, will be visiting the Diocese
and I hope as many of you as possible will take advantage of
the several opportunities to meet, hear and see him - especially
on Sat. 6th November in Telford at the International Centre there.
There are sheets in church for you to sign up if you would like
a ticket. There is no cost as such for this day, but I need to
pre-book the tickets. So if you have not already signed up, please
let me know as soon as possible.
We no longer
have a branch of the Mothers Union in Pattingham - although there
is a thriving branch not far away in Tettenhall Wood. However
may I commend to you their campaign against the commercialisation
and over-sexualisation of children, which you can find on the
website, www.byebuychildhood.org . It is easy to blame the retailers,
advertisers and others for exploiting children in this way, but
there is something we can all do as we make every day decisions
and purchases. Do support the MU in this campaign.
One final bit
of news - I have been re-elected to General Synod this autumn.
This means that I will be expected to attend the sessions in
November, February and July for another five years (although
we generally only meet in November for the first year, when Synod
is opened by the Queen) But I won't be on my own from Trysull
Deanery this time, as our Lay Chair, Penny Allen, has also been
elected to the House of Laity. Please keep us in your prayers
too and please excuse my occasional absences on Synod business...
we are promised a stormy time ahead!
God bless and
keep you all,
Maureen
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