May 2017
Keep in the loop with what’s happening
in your churches
Priest in Charge:
The Revd Mary-Lou Toop
01743 851375
Assistant Priest:
Canon Robert Parsons
01939 291494
Website: www.severnloopparishes.org.uk
Loop
The Severn Loop
Parishes
Albrighton Bicton Fitz
Leaton Montford Shrawardine
From Hannah Lins
I'm really looking forward to the privilege of joining you as a part-time Curate in July. Time is moving fast and
with training nearly complete, I find my mind and my prayers turning more and more to you lovely people at
Severn Loop. I'll be eager to learn names quickly and get to know you well once I'm in post, but in the
meantime, here's a little bit about myself.
I'm a Shropshire girl through and through - I grew up in Meole Brace, and spent many happy days walking in
the hilly countryside. After doing a degree in Experimental Psychology, I went on to become a teacher of both
Maths and Psychology, teaching the latter at Shrewsbury VI Form College from 2003 to 2009. Despite all that
education, I learned most during my time out of paid work - when I opted to focus on family instead. We have
three children - Jude (12), Aloma (10) and Henia (7).
Negotiating the preschool years with opinionated toddlers left me with diplomatic skills that would fare well in
the UN! During this time I also did lots of voluntary work with our local church (Trinity Churches), leading a
number of ministries, and generally getting involved in the varied life of the parish. My husband, Richard,
works as a Geography Teacher at Shrewsbury VI Form College.
After being selected for ordination, I began training with St Mellitus College, Liverpool in 2014, and have had
an amazing time getting stuck into Theology and full-time work in a church context. As the training draws to a
close, I find myself slowly waking up and feeling gradually lighter! It's been an intense three years, but a very
valuable season. My prayer, as I prepare to join you, is that I will continue to learn about and experience the
glorious work of God in a new place, with new people, uniquely gifted and bearing His image.
Hannah Lins.
“Thy Kingdom come”
For the second year we are responding to the call of the Archbishops of
Canterbury and York to make the season from Ascension Day to Pentecost
a time of focussed prayer.
In each of our churches there will be an hour on different days when you are
invited to come and spend all or part of that time in prayer, helped by
suggestions in different places around the church. Coffee will be available.
We all pray in different ways; there is no “right” way. The important thing is
that we do it!
This is the programme:
Thursday 25th May
Ascension Day Communion,
3.00 pm at Battlefield 1403
Friday 26th May
10.30 - 11.30 am
Bicton
Monday 29th May
10.30 - 11.30 am
Bomere Heath
Tuesday 30th May
10.30 - 11.30 am
Leaton
Wednesday 31st May 6.15 - 7.15 pm
Montford
Thursday 1st June
10.30 - 11.30 am
Albrighton
Friday 2nd June
10.30 - 11.30 am
Fitz
Saturday 3rd June
10.30 - 11.30 am
Shrawardine
Sunday 4th June
Pentecost services in all our churches
Look for a prayer card to use at home.
Morning Prayer in the Mission Church, which normally takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays and
Thursdays, will be every day (except Sunday) from 26th May to 3rd June at 8.30 am. We will focus on
praying for people to come to faith.
In the afternoon of Pentecost Sunday, 4th June, there is a big event in Lichfield Cathedral from 4.00 pm to
7.00 pm. They say: An afternoon of varied prayer and worship opportunities including praise and worship,
prayer stations (including your own picnic prayer stop) and ending with sung Compline by candlelight with
commissioning and anointing.
(Compline is the service we held on Fridays in Lent, sometimes called Night Prayer.)
Worship together
Don’t forget the united service in Shrawardine on Sunday 30th April, at 11.00 am. Two things have
changed about that day! Mr Charles Adams, who was to be our preacher, is not able to come, but the
theme will still be our giving to God.
And the Curry Lunch that we mentioned in the April Loop is not now taking place on that day.
Fish & Chip Supper with Quiz
Bicton Village Hall, Saturday, 6th May, 2017 at 7.30pm
Tickets in aid of Church Funds £5 available from Clare (01743 361906) or Wendy (01743 850237)
Ascension Day
Once again we are invited to celebrate this important day at Battlefield 1403. Come for the Communion
service at 3.00 pm on Thursday 25th May, followed by tea.
Bicton Coffee Morning
This monthly event will be at Bicton Church on Thursday, 11th May from 10.30 am. All are welcome.
The Filling Station
Tuesday 16th May at 7.30 pm at the Assembly Rooms in Knockin. The speaker is The Revd Michael
Whittock, formerly the Rector of the Hadnall group of parishes.
Footsteps Ladies’ Lunch
Sarah Shelton from the Children's Society, will be the speaker at 12.00 noon on Saturday 13th May at the
Four Crosses, Bicton. The talk is followed by hot buffet lunch, pud and coffee or tea.
Tickets £8, available from Philippa Herbert 01939 291352.
Archdeacon’s Visitation
This annual occasion is when churchwardens are officially admitted to office by the archdeacon. It is on
Wednesday 24th May at 7.30 pm in the Church of the Holy Spirit, Harlescott. Churchwardens are asked
to register from 6.30. Why not go to support your churchwardens?
Spring Book
We are looking forward to an evening discussing our Spring Book, Dethroning Mammon. It is on Tuesday
30th May at 7.30 pm. Listen to Church notices to find out where.
Stepping Out Café
In Bomere Heath Mission Church on Wednesday 31st May. Come from 2.30 pm to around 4.00 pm.
Collections at United Services
When we worship all together on the fifth Sunday of the month, the churchwardens would appreciate it if
you did not bring your regular giving envelopes to another church. Please only use those for collections in
the church to which they belong. Thank you.
Treasurers are now able to claim GiftAid on money on the plate that is not in an envelope.
Open Garden
Mrs Walsh is opening her garden at Leaton Lodge on Sunday 28th May from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm. There
is much to enjoy - Italian Garden, Pond Garden, Woodland Walk, Tea and Homemade Treats, Real Ales
and Wines, Children’s Treasure Hunt, Plant Stall, Live Music and Free Parking. Entry is £2.50, children
under 14 free. Proceeds are donated to Leaton Church.
Halfway House Male Voice Choir
Book the date: Friday 9th June at 7.30 pm in Leaton Church.
Hereford
Have you booked your place for this Severn Loop Day Out on Saturday 17th June?
“Hereford is the Cathedral City with the relaxed atmosphere of a
country market town. Its origin dates back to Saxon times and today
visitors delight in the harmony of a rich heritage and modern
facilities.”
We will leave around 8.30 am and expect to be home by about 7.30
pm. The morning is for you to enjoy the city, then: Cathedral Tour at
2.30; Cream Tea at 4.00; Evensong at 5.30 (be seated by 5.15).
You have the opportunity to see the historic Mappa Mundi and Chained Library at a reduced price.
The cost of the day is £26.00, which covers the coach, the cathedral tour and cream tea.
Phone Diana Barnett on 01939 291052 to book your place.
St Chad
In last month’s Loop the centre page spread was about Bishop Michael’s invitation to join him at the
Cathedral on Saturday 20th May for the launch of the new Direction of Travel for Lichfield Diocese. The
Bishop has put before us the slogan:
“Come follow Christ in the footsteps of St Chad.”
Among the responses to that was the question: Who was St Chad?
He was born in Northumbria, the youngest of four sons, all of whom became both priests and monks.
They entered the monastery on the island of Lindisfarne and were taught by St Aidan, who had come
there from another island, Iona, off the west coast of Scotland. The Iona monastery was founded by St
Columba who came there from Ireland.
Chad’s brother, Cedd, founded an abbey at Lastingham in the north Yorkshire moors, and when Cedd
died in 664, Chad was elected Abbot.
Now it gets a little bit complicated. Remember that there were two Christian traditions at the time in
Britain. The Celtic way was brought from Ireland via Iona; the Roman way was dominant in the south. A
priest called Wilfrid was appointed Bishop of York, and he went to France to be consecrated in the Roman
tradition. He was away a long time, and King Oswy of Northumbria grew impatient, so he had Chad
consecrated as Bishop of York by Celtic Bishops. When Wilfrid came back, the Archbishop of Canterbury
took his side, and Chad graciously stepped aside, returning to Lastingham.
The Archbishop was so impressed by Chad’s humility that he made him Bishop of Mercia in 669. There
had been Bishops of Mercia for some thirteen years, ruling the huge diocese from Repton in Derbyshire.
Chad chose to move to Lichfield, so although he was the fifth Bishop of Mercia, he was the first of
Lichfield.
The Venerable Bede, who half a century later wrote the History of the English Church and People, said
good things about Chad:
“The most reverend Bishop Chad always preferred to undertake his preaching missions on foot rather
than horseback; but Theodore [Archbishop of Canterbury] ordered him to ride whenever he undertook a
long journey. He was most reluctant to forgo this pious exercise which he loved, but the archbishop, who
recognised his outstanding holiness and considered it more proper for him to ride, himself insisted on
helping him to mount his horse.” “He administered the diocese in great holiness of life after the example
of the early Fathers.”
So if we are to follow Christ in the footsteps of St Chad, we have a fine and challenging example to live up
to.
Chad was Bishop of Lichfield for only two and a half years. He died of the plague on 2nd March 672.
Community of St Chad
Drawing inspiration from the life of St Chad in the 7th century, the Community of St Chad in Lichfield
Diocese is a helpful community for Christians who want to develop their discipleship.
Members make a commitment to a spiritual lifestyle shaped by five Rhythms of Grace.
These are:
1.
By God’s grace I will seek to be transformed into the likeness
of Christ.
2.
By God’s Grace I will be open to the presence, guidance and
power of the Holy Spirit.
3.
By God’s grace I will set aside time for prayer, worship and
spiritual reading.
4.
By God’s grace I will endeavour to be a gracious presence in
the world, serving others and working for justice in human
relationships and social structures.
5.
By God’s grace I will sensitively share my faith with others and
support God’s mission both locally and globally.
The five Rhythms of Grace are not rules that dictate how people behave, but rather a starting point for a
process of self-examination that can help us to see what we need to do to grow as disciples of Christ.
Each member of the community is responsible for working through the implications of the five Rhythms of
Grace. There is a community booklet with helpful resources including an outline for daily prayer, morning
and evening.
Members are invited to join a small local Spiritual Growth Group where they encourage and support each
other in their desire to become deeply rooted in God and to grow in spiritual maturity.
The Community of St Chad welcomes any Christian who longs to grow in depth of discipleship and who is
prepared to journey with others in a quest for a life-changing faith.
If you would like to find out more, talk with Robert or contact Philip Swan: 07857 703303;
[email protected]
Three Clergy in the Loop!
As you have read on the front page, Hannah Lins comes to join us soon. She is to be ordained Deacon
on Saturday 1st July in Lichfield Cathedral at 6.00 pm. Our parishes will be represented at that great
occasion. Then on Sunday 2nd July we have just one service where we will welcome Hannah. It is to be
at Fitz Church at 11.00 am, followed by lunch in Fitz Village Hall.
For her first year Hannah will be a deacon, and then she will be ordained priest. Let’s pray for her in the
last weeks of her training and her preparation for this big step in her life.
Have you heard? There’s going to be an election!
Robert writes:
Whatever your reaction to the surprise announcement of a general election on 8th June, keep in your
mind that the period between Mrs May calling it and the event itself coincides with the Easter season.
When people ask, “Did you have a good Easter?” remember that Easter lasts for fifty days. In our
churches the Easter candle burns at every service until the Day of Pentecost. The word of praise,
Alleluia! is used more frequently in our worship. We celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus every day, but
that great world-changing event is our particular focus in this period.
So let’s approach the election as resurrection people, with a commitment to the living Christ, whatever our
political leanings.
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for
ever and ever.” (Revelation 11.15.)
Sunday and other Services
Readings
30th April - 3rd Sunday of Easter
Shrawardine 11.00 am United Holy Communion
for all our churches
7th May – 4th Sunday of Easter
Albrighton
9.15 am Holy Communion
Bicton
11.00 am Holy Communio
Bomere Heath 9.00 am Morning Prayer
Fitz
9.30 am Family Worship
Leaton
10.45 am Holy Communion
Montford
11.00 am Morning Prayer
Shrawardine 9.30 am Matins
14th May – 5th Sunday of Easter
Albrighton
No service
Bicton
11.00 am Family Service
Bomere Heath 9.00 am Holy Communion
Fitz
9.30 am Matins
Leaton
10.45 am Matins
Montford
9.30 am Eucharist
Shrawardine 6.30 pm Songs of Praise
21st May – 6th Sunday of Easter
Albrighton
9.15 am Morning Worship
Bicton
11.00 am Holy Communion
Bomere Heath 9.00 am Morning Prayer
Fitz
9.30 am Holy Communion
Leaton
10.45 am Holy Communion
Montford
11.00 am Morning Prayer
Shrawarden
Join Montford
Thursday 25th May - Ascension Day
United Eucharist at Battlefield 1403 at 3.00 pm
28th May – 7th Sunday of Easter
Albrighton
No service
Bicton
6.30 pm Evensong:
Bomere Heath 9.00 am Holy Communion
Fitz
No service
Leaton
10.45 am Family Service and Baptism
Montford
9.30 am Holy Communion
Shrawardine 11.00 am Holy Communion
Acts 2.42-end
John 10.1-10
Acts 7.55-end
John 14.1-4
Acts 17.22-31
John 14.15-21
Acts 1.1-11
Luke 24.44-end
Acts 1.6-14
John 17.1-11