November Services at Ansley Churches
| 5th November
All Saints |
St John’s | 10.45 a.m. | Holy Communion |
| 12th November
Remembrance |
St Laurence’s | 10.30 a.m. | Special Service |
| 19th November
2nd before Advent |
St John’s | 10.30 a.m. | Morning Worship |
| 26th November
Christ the King |
St Laurence’s | 10.30 a.m. | Holy Communion and
Tree Dedication |
From the Registers
No entries this month.
Open Church
Please note that St Laurence Church continues to be open to the public for private prayer and contemplation on Tuesdays between 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. It is no longer open on Sundays, except for planned services.
Remembrance Sunday
A service of Remembrance will be held at St Laurence Church on Sunday 12th November at 10.30 a.m. This will follow our normal format, with the service starting in church, the silence being observed at 11.00 a.m. and the congregation processing to the war memorial after the service for the laying of wreaths. Refreshments will be served in the Annexe after the procession returns to the church. Anyone not wishing or able to process to the memorial is welcome to wait in the Annexe.
Prayer Meeting
This month’s meeting will be at St John’s Hall Ansley Common at 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday 28th November.
Advance Notice of Christmas Services
Sunday 10th December Christingle at St Laurence at 10.30 a.m. with donations to the Children’s Society.
Sunday 17th December Nine Lessons and Carols at St Laurence at 6.30 p.m.
Sunday 24th December Holy Communion at St John’s at 9.00 p.m. (Christmas Eve)
Monday 25th December Holy Communion at St Laurence at 10.30 a.m. (Christmas Day)
The full service chart for December will be in next month’s magazine.
Reminder: Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox Appeal
The shoeboxes will need to be in by Sunday12th November. They can be brought to the church service at St Laurence on that date, or sooner. You could give your shoe box to a church member if this is more convenient or phone one of the contact numbers below. Suitable gift suggestions are given in a leaflet obtainable from church or by searching online. If you have a spare shoebox, or several, please bring them along to church for others to use.
Spurgeon’s Coffee Evening and Bring and Buy
This event will be held at 34, Nuthurst Crescent on 15th November at 7.00 p.m. Spurgeons Children’s Charity supports children and families in a number of ways. September’s Newsletter reported that Spurgeon’s Young Carers Manager was contributing to an all party parliament inquiry, the first of its kind, to examine the impact on the life chances of young carers and young adult carers, including their education and employment prospects. There was also a report on ‘Mighty Events’. Parents/carers are invited with children to focus on different areas of skills and development in a fun and engaging way suitable to the age group concerned. You can find out more about this charity at www.spurgeons.org.uk. Do come along if you can and enjoy a chat, a hot drink and cakes.
Collection boxes are available from D. Kealey.
St John’s Hall Ansley Common Christmas Fayre
You will be very welcome at St John’s Hall Christmas Fayre on Saturday 25th November from 2.00 to 4.00 p.m. There will be stalls, games etc. There will also be cakes and a cuppa to enjoy with plenty of time for a chat. This social event will raise money for hall funds.
Ansley St Laurence 18th Christmas Tree Festival 2023
The Christmas Tree Festival will be held on the three weekends leading up to Christmas, as in previous years. If you would like to buy and decorate a tree, please contact us on one of the numbers given below and return your form as soon as possible. The cost of a tree is £15 – the same as last year. The trees will arrive on Monday 27th November. Any help you can offer on that day will be much appreciated. Decorating the trees will commence on Wednesday 29th November.
The festival will open on Saturday 2nd December at 11.00 a.m. and will to continue for three weekends. The opening hours are – Saturdays 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and Sundays 12 noon to 5.00 p.m. the church can also be opened by arrangement for groups during the week. The tree festival closes with the traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday 17th December. The decorated trees will remain in church until after the Communion service on Christmas morning at 10.30 a.m.
The sight of sixty decorated Christmas trees around the church with extra festive decorations produces a stunning effect. Each tree will have been decorated by local individuals, families, schools, businesses, groups and organisations. A larger tree offers the opportunity to remember loved ones by fixing stars to the branches and giving a £1 donation towards the cost of mowing the churchyard. Hot drinks and mince pies can be bought from the Annexe and there will also be a raffle for a delicious Christmas cake. Entry will be £2 per person, with accompanied children under 12 having free access. Proceeds are for church funds, with a donation to Mary Ann Evans Hospice.
Concert at St Laurence
We are delighted to welcome Jess & Richard Arrowsmith, with Jo Maher, as they come to St Laurence as part of their Christmas tour. The performance will be on Friday 8th December at 7.30 p.m. They will be offering a concert of traditional English songs and music with many Christmas carols. We anticipate another special evening of festive music and audience participation. Please speak to Pat Arrowsmith on 02476392555 for tickets.
St John’s Bingo
There will be a session on Monday 4th December, beginning at 7.00 p.m.
Bell ringing at St Laurence
A visiting team came and rang a quarter peal of St Clements on Saturday 14th October.
From the PCC
Church Lighting: We are pleased that after nearly two years of research and applications for permissions, we are able to inform you that all the lights in the church are now LED. The five yearly wiring check has been done and the minor work required is being carried out. We will receive a £1,968 grant from Warwickshire County Council’s “Greenshoots” Fund, which is half the cost of the new fittings and new bulbs.
Irish Yew Trees: New retaining bands have been fixed round the 14 Irish yew trees bordering the wall along Church Lane. This work has greatly improved their appearance and will ensure that they will not lean over the pavement when there is snow. The cost of the special wire was £515 which has been paid from the Churchyard Account. We are fortunate that the work was undertaken by volunteers over the summer as it would have taken three people a week to complete. Thank you to the volunteers involved.
New Notice Board: At long last the notice board by the main road at the church has been replaced. The previous one was put up when Gill and Geoff Kimber were with us – about 25 years ago! Changes to personnel, service times etc. meant it was looking very tired. The PCC felt it should be replaced in a similar style but as the cost has been £1088 it should be made longer lasting. Rather than including names etc. people are referred to the church web site for up to date information.
Ansley Village Church Hall: The new parking area for hall visitors is now available. We would encourage hall users to park in this area when at the hall. Pedestrian access is being planned to enable direct access to the rear of the hall.
Flower Festival Quiz 2023 – Answers
- Jasmine Hyacinth 19. Honesty
- Climbing Rose Chrysanthemum 20. Poppy
- Tulips Phlox 21. Marigold
- Lupin Daffodil 22. Poached Egg Plant
- Love in the Mist Sweet William 23. Gladioli
- Lavender Bluebell 24. Basil
- Mint Snowdrop 25. Forget me not
- Carnation Foxglove
- Pinks Aster
The quiz was won by a lady who came some distance to deliver her answers. She scored 24 points. Most people thought it was more challenging than initially expected. The answers seem obvious now! Thank you to the setter. The quiz made £101 towards the Flower Festival total.
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Prayer Requests
If you would like someone or a particular situation to be remembered in prayer, please make contact by email or phone one of the following.
Margaret Antill 01827874520
Margaret Oliver 01455822822 iana Kealey 02476395089