July Services at Ansley Churches
| 3rd July
Trinity 3 |
St John’s | 10.30 a.m. | Morning Worship |
| 10th July
Trinity 4 |
St Laurence’s | 10.30 a.m. | Morning Worship
|
| 17th July
Trinity 5 |
St John’s | 10.30 a.m. | Morning Worship |
| 24th July
Trinity 6 |
St Laurence’s | 10.30 a.m. | Morning Worship
|
| 31st July
Trinity 7 |
St Laurence’s | 10.30 a.m. | Songs of Praise |
From the Registers
Baptism
The baptism of Arlen James Mercer was held at St Laurence Church on Sunday 19th June, The Reverend Gail Philips took the service. Over thirty family members and friends were present to pray for Arlen’s well-being and to support him and his family.
Interment
The ashes of Brian Wilson were interred in an existing grave with those of his wife by John Hitchcock on 9th June.
Songs of Praise at Ansley
On the fifth Sunday of July the service at St Laurence will be a Songs of Praise format. Do let a church member know if you would like a favourite hymn to be included in the service. Don’t worry if you can’t attend on the day, you can still choose a hymn.
Flower Festival 2022
The theme for our 58th Festival is “Journey.” This was the theme that was originally chosen for 2020, but for obvious reasons did not take place and what a journey we have all travelled these last few years.
As in many areas of lives we too are trying to do the best for our environment, so we are hoping to obtain more flowers locally and trying to use less floristry foam. When we had our early festivals back in the 1960s it was very much jam jars and chicken wire. Foam and plastic containers were not around.
People come to such events with ideas that are always considered, and we try to work them in whilst planning. However one area, probably the most difficult, is publicity. We are always pleased to have any help with this aspect for all church events. If you can help in any way it would be much appreciated. The best form of publicity that has been found to work is “Word of Mouth” Please do tell people.
The schedule is:
Saturday 27th August 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Sunday 28th August 12.00 p.m. to .6.00 p.m.
Monday 29th August 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Monday 29th August 5.30 p.m. Thanksgiving Service
As usual during these times there will be refreshments available in the annexe, which, if the weather is kind, can be enjoyed in the churchyard with views of the countryside. The produce stall will be in the churchyard, as will be displayed the Madeira cake that is being raffled.
On Monday afternoon Ansley Morris will be dancing, weather permitting in the churchyard, or in the church if wet.
As for many years, there will be an opportunity to lay a stone on the pile and leave your burdens, or put a flower in an arrangement as a thanksgiving, or place a prayer in the Prayer Jar. These prayers will be brought to God before the end of the festival.
Continuing our usual practice we will be supporting the Nuneaton Hospital League of Friends and the Acorn Children’s Hospice as well as raising money for church funds. Entrance will be free, but we do say “Please place a gift here not only to thank God for the joy of the Flower Festival, but for all the joys that God has brought to you.”
We pray for God’s blessing as we prepare for this event.
For more information please ask.
Open Gardens at Ansley
The NGS Open Gardens afternoon in Ansley takes place from 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. on Sunday 3rd July. A ticket at £6.00 gives admittance to all ten gardens, with children free. Tickets can be bought at the signed Car Parking off Birmingham Road or at the Village Hall, also on Birmingham Road. This was a very successful event last year and it will be very interesting to see how the gardens have developed since last then and to have a first look at the new entrants. Refreshments will be for sale in several gardens and the Village Hall.
Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal for Ukraine
The church will continue to be open on Tuesdays from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. for prayer and contemplation for Ukraine.
The total amount donated to the Disaster Emergency Committee was £450. This has been sent and an acknowledgement received.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The bells rang out in celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee as planned. Around one hundred people came to the church for the History Display over the three days. £138 was donated to the church and four new Church History booklets were sold. The Jubilee Social at St John’s on the Friday afternoon had to be cancelled but it is hoped that it could be rearranged for another time-after all it is the Jubilee Year!
The Sunday afternoon’s Big Lunch in Ansley Recreation Ground, organised by the Parish Council, was very enjoyable, with lots of activities for the children and a good range of food and drink available. Many people came along in spite of the rather cold, grey weather.
Services in June
On two consecutive Sundays at the end of June the planned service leaders were unable to attend because of positive Covid tests. Fortunately they had mild versions of the illness. It did involve some last minute changes. Marie Cove spoke at the St John’s service with little time to prepare. As she said we can plan and organise but if God has another plan, we have to accept it and follow His guidance. We appreciate the permission given by the first leader to use his sermon on the following Sunday.
From the PCC
Fabric
Permissions are being sought for painting the rest of the church interior and repair of the clerestory windows.
Parish Giving Scheme
This has now been running for three months and is much easier to administrate. The church organisation which runs the scheme takes your agreed regular giving amount from your bank account by direct debit on the first working day of the month. This then arrives as a lump sum in the church account a few days later. Towards the end of the month the reclaimed gift aid is also received into the church account. This saves a lot of work previously done by the treasurer. Previously each entry had to be listed, then the total for each individual had to be submitted in a claim to the government, who then paid the claimed Gift Aid to the church. This was a time consuming process which can now be done for us.
If anyone who pays tax could give in this way, it would make life a lot easier for our treasurer.
If you do not pay tax please continue to give as you do at present. The church is able to claim Gift Aid on up to £8,000 cash if it is put on the plate or paid digitally by card reader.
Please remember that the church gratefully accepts donations however they are made but some ways are more efficient than others.
If you are interested in using the Parish Giving Scheme do let us know. It is very easy to set up.
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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
Margaret Oliver 014 5582 2822
Moreen Freestone 024 7638 1833
Diana Kealey 024 7639 5089