October Services at Ansley Churches
| 2nd October
Harvest |
St John’s | 10.30 a.m. | Harvest Festival |
| 9th October
Harvest |
St Laurence’s | 10.30 a.m. | Harvest Festival
Holy Communion |
| 9th October
|
St Laurence’s | 6.30 p.m. | Harvest Evensong |
| 16th October
Trinity 18 |
St John’s | 10.30 a.m. | Morning Worship |
| 23rd October
Last of Trinity |
St Laurence’s | 10.30 a.m.
|
Morning Worship |
| 30th October
|
St John’s | 10.30 a.m. | Songs of Praise |
From the Registers
Baptism
The baptisms of Alexander and Heidi took place at St Laurence Church during the special service on 25th September. Their older brother, Toby helped the Rev Jo to prepare the font with water. This occasion had been delayed because of the pandemic. We pray for Alexander, Heidi and Toby, plus their parents, Godparents and all their family and friends.
St John’s Harvest Festival
The Harvest Festival was postponed and a Service of Holy Communion during the period of mourning was held instead on 18th September. St John’s Harvest Service will now take place on 2nd October.
Please note: Gifts brought to St John’s have been sent to the Salvation Army in recent years. Unfortunately they are having difficulty with a building and are not able to accept produce this year. Non perishable items will be sent to the Trussell Trust which provides food and support to people locked in poverty. The cash collection at St John’s will be sent to the Salvation Army for their work.
St Laurence’s Harvest Festival
Because of the difficulty the Salvation Army has this year, produce, tins, packets or fresh will be given to the Trussell Trust. The special plate collection will go to the Salvation Army. Fresh produce with a longer shelf life such as apples carrots etc will be fine but not raspberries, lettuce, cabbage etc.
Acorn Chidren’s Hospice and Nuneaton League of Friends will each be presented with a cheque for £365 as donations from our Flower Festival takings.
New Members Special Service at St Laurence and Baptisms
The regular congregation warmly welcomed between fifty and sixty adults plus over a dozen children to this service. Families of children who had been baptised since restrictions ended and any who may be interested in baptism in the future had been invited along, as well as the family whose children were being baptised and their supporters. The service was family friendly. Thank you to the Reverend Jo, a Curate at St Giles’ Exhall, for leading this service.
Flower Festival Report 2022
How good it is to be able to report on a Flower Festival in more normal times. We had such a wonderful event. Being able to meet and talk without having to take so many extra precautions made the event much more enjoyable for all. The weather too was kind, enabling us to sit outside for refreshments, especially on the Saturday, which added to the enjoyment of all.
The theme “Journey” was chosen originally for the 2020 festival which for obvious reasons had to be virtual and with the restrictions applicable in 2021 it was deferred to this year. What a journey we have all travelled in that time. God had his hand on this event as He has in the past. He made the texts even more applicable to our time. He also ensured we had enough of everything that we needed to make it a great success.
We took the decision to keep the spending on the flowers down for two reasons: the increase in cost of flowers and to reduce our carbon footprint. We decided to grow more of the flowers ourselves. However, we had great difficulty growing sufficient marigolds for the words on the grass! (We did manage)
We also decided to use other media. One of the displays was put together on a computer, another was from the Christmas Tree Festival, a bouquet of flowers, all stitched by people around the world. We also had some flowers made from ribbon. These were not intended to look like a particular flower but to give another dimension to the event. Potted plants were used to add extra colour.
The amount of oasis used was also reduced, saving cost and helping the planet as it is a plastic-based medium.
We are very grateful to the Ansley Village Allotment Association for the produce they donated. Finding produce to sell was difficult this year, so many gardeners and allotment holders have found their crops depleted by the very dry weather.
Again we are grateful to the Ansley Village Morris Dancers for providing additional entertainment on the Monday afternoon. This gives the event a very English feel and is much appreciated.
As in past years we have to say a big thank you to the many people who helped with the various tasks and duties: making cakes, cleaning and clearing things away after the event, helping on the stalls and greeting people at the door.
As in past years it is a great pleasure to read the entries in the visitor’s book
“Wonderful display- Beautiful flower displays. Love the scriptural references and models”.
“Inspirational. Thank you.”
“One of the best ever, gives us lots of thought on life.”
The tribute to the people of Ukraine incorporated in the display on the pillars was particularly noted.
The financial result was a bonus in the current economic climate. We raised over £2,900. The donations to Nuneaton Hospital League of Friends and Acorn Children’s Hospice will be presented at Harvest.
Ride and Stride 10th September 2022
Diana Kealey walked a route of 8.5 miles from her home, passing St John, St Laurence, St Wilfrid and St Michael churches to raise funds for the Warwickshire and Coventry Historic Churches Trust. Half of the amount she sends in will be returned to St Laurence Church Fabric Fund. Her total so far is around £150. The cut off date for donations will be the beginning of November. The PCC would like to thank Diana for taking part in this event.
Postponed Platinum Jubilee Social at St John’s – Friday 16th September
The evening went well, with an element of remembering the Queen and her life of service to the nation.
11th Art Exhibition and Sale by Ansley Village Art Group
This event took place as planned. The hall was filled with a display of paintings and some craftwork. Thirteen pictures were sold plus other items. There was an opportunity to add thoughts to the Condolence Book from St Laurence Church. The artists gave ten per cent from their sales income to St Laurence plus £95.53 from refreshment sales and donations, making an overall amount of £120.73. Thank you to the members of Ansley Village Art Group who helped before, on, or after the Exhibition to make it such a success. Thank you from St Laurence to the organisers, art group members and visitors..
Samaritan’s Purse – Operation Christmas Child
A reminder that your box should be handed in by early November. If you don’t have a suitable shoebox, please let us know.
Christmas Tree Festival 2022
Applications forms to have a tree at our 16th Christmas Tree Festival are now available. The price per tree this year is £15. If you would like to decorate a tree at this event do please ask for a form.
From the PCC
A report on the arrangements put in place at St Laurence Church following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The decision was made to have the church open from the day after the announcement of the late Queen’s death to the day after the funeral. A Book of Condolence was placed on a table in the church, with a jar for prayers beside it. A single red rose was left on the table by a visitor and a small vase of flowers was also there. The bell ringers rang the half muffled bells on the day after the announcement and again on the morning of the funeral for one hour on each occasion. The flag was flown at half mast for the duration of the nation’s mourning, except for the day of the proclamation of our new King, as instructed by the authorities.
The PCC regrets that communication with those wishing to come into the church was difficult and that some were deterred by the main door being hard to open.
The thoughts and prayers of some of the people who came to pay their respects have been included on earlier pages of this magazine.
Prayer Requests
If you would like someone or a particular situation remembered in prayer during this time of disruption, please make contact by email or phone one of the following.
Margaret Antill 018 2787 4520
Moreen Freestone 02476381833
Margaret Oliver 014 5582 2822
Diana Kealey 02476395089