Notes from around the Parishes, February 2016

For Great Massingham, Harpley & Little Massingham

Spring into Action its only Lent again!

We Brits like stability, dont we? We know where we are with
Christmas every year the same, December 25th. But as for Easter, well
it moves around all over the place. In the Church we call it
a moveable feast. It makes for huge complexity when planning ahead,
in business or education for example. Easter is really early this year; the start of
Lent, Ash Wednesday, is on February 10th, even before Valentines Day. However,
the Archbishops have now decided that Easter should come into line with the
Eastern Christian Church and in the future have the same date every year. This will
take 5 to 10 years to accomplish. So all we will have to contend with is the clocks
going back - and forward - as they will on 23rd March 2016 which this year just
happens to be Easter Sunday. Funny old world, isnt it?
Lent is the traditional time to give up something we enjoy (forgo chocolate?) and in
doing so hope-fully become more appreciative of the pleasures of life when they are
reinstated at Easter, forty days later. Or we can take something on a course of
study perhaps? Lifelong learning has been described as the interaction between our
experience (good and bad) and our personal development. Lent Courses are a
popular feature of this season of the Church year and a great opportunity to dip
ones toe into the water. This year we are running the same course at each end of
our benefice (group of churches) on different evenings. We will be exploring Not a
Tame Lion by Hilary Brand, a short course based on the writings of CS Lewis. See
inside, or ask a member of the team.
We have now passed the first anniversary of our new benefice: the Gayton,
Grimston, Massingham and District Group of churches which is spread over ten
different villages. Please check out our exciting new website:

www.ggmbenefice.uk
We are fortunate in having several groups that meet together regularly for prayer and
Bible study. We hope to build on this foundation over the coming months and offer
other courses which could, if desired, lead to confirmation. Please be in touch if this
is of interest to you. I wish you a blessed and rewarding Lent.
Reverend Judith

RIP
Lucy Mountain, who died on 24th January, will be sorely missed. ~
A regular worshipper at St Andrews, Little Massingham, she also always
supported events at St Lawrences and was a valued member of the flower
arranging team. Condolences go to all her family who are in our prayers at
this difficult time.

SERVICES Across the Group for FEBRUARY 2016

Weds, Feb 3rd ~ 9am
Holy Communion for Candlemas at St Lawrences, Harpley
Sunday, February 7th ~ The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
0930
1100
0900
1030
1030
3pm

Family Service
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Family Service
Prayer Meeting

St Lawrences,
Harpley
St Marys,
Great Mass
All Saints,
Ashwicken
St Botolphs,
Grimston
St Nicholas,
Gayton
St Marys,
Great Mass

Weds, February 10th ~

Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes
12 noon
St Marys, Great Massingham
7pm
St Botolphs, Grimston
Sunday, February 14th ~ First Sunday of Lent
1030
4pm

Group Holy Communion, St Marys, Great Massingham

The Gap ~ The Methodist Chapel, Pott Row

Sunday, Feb 21st ~ The Second Sunday of Lent

0930
1100
1115
0830
1030
1030

Holy Communion
Family Service
Sung Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Family Service

St Andrews,
St Marys,
St Lawrences,
All Saints,
St Nicholas,
St Botolphs,

Sunday, Feb 28th ~ The Third Sunday of Lent

1100 Holy Communion
St Marys,
0830 Holy Communion
St Andrews,
1030 Holy Communion
St Botolphs,
1030 Morning Worship
St Nicholas,
Tuesday, March 1st is Saint Davids Day

Lt Massingham
Gt Massingham
Harpley
Roydon
Gayton
Grimston
Great Mass
Congham
Grimston
Gayton

Weds, March 2nd ~ 9am

Holy Communion at St Lawrences, Harpley

Sunday, March 6th ~ The Fourth Sunday of Lent Mothering Sunday

0930
1100
0900
1030
3pm

Family Service
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
Family Holy Communion
Prayer Meeting

St Lawrences,
Harpley
St Marys,
Great Mass
St Marys,
East Walton
St Nicholas,
Gayton
St Nicholas,
Gayton

Our Ministry Team:

Revd Jane Holmes,

Revd Judith Pollard,

The Rectory, Gayton

The Rectory, Grimston

01553 636227

01485 601251

To arrange Baptisms, Marriages, or Funerals please contact the Revd Judith in the first
instance (her day off is Friday). If she is unavailable, the Revd Jane is happy to help
with urgent matters.
From the Registers ~ Funerals:
At Mintlyn Crematorium

Gladys Olive Randall of Gt. Massingham

Beatrice Rose Higby (family links in Gt Massingham)
Sidney Crisp of Harpley
at St Marys Massingham

Mary Martha Hinds

Gunter Hans Otto (Jim) Boeckeler,
Derek Edgar Skipper

24th November
7th January
14th January
6th Jan
19th January
21st January

At St Andrews, Lt. Massingham

Mary Joan Birkbeck,

age 84

28th January

The Lent Course at this end of the Benefice will be hosted by Kim and
Allan Frazer at Cobwebs, Gt. Massingham on Mondays starting on the
15th February at 7.30pm; more details from Rev Judith (01485 601251.)
There is a faculty displayed inside, and in the porch of, Saint Lawrences Church,
Harpley, giving notification of planned works and repairs to the interior. These are
needed after damage caused by rain when the roof was stolen 15 months ago.
Objections should be sent to the Dioscesan office by 4th February. Repairs will be
part-funded by a payment we have received from the insurance company.

Live Music by The Tildens in Harpley Village Hall

Saturday 20th February from 7:30pm Buffet Raffle
BYOB
Ticket: 6.50 (includes Buffet) available from Neil Steed (01485 520339)
or Lucy Brown (01485 520252) In aid of St Lawrences Roof Appeal.
Coming soon:
Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May: The 7th Archdeacons Charge will take place
at Sandringham. Run or walk a 2.5mile route (up to 10 miles), then relax and picnic.
Over the last six years this event has raised 80,000 which has been split between
the parishes and the East Anglian Air Ambulance; we are hoping a helicopter will be
there this year! Watch out for posters.
Springwatch in Harpley? After a visit last year from a bat expert who declared
that St Lawrences plays host to four species of bat we are hoping to arrange an
informative evening when he can share his expertise.
Open Gardens ~ Saint Lawrences PCC hopes to arrange this popular event
again in aid of Church funds. Proposed date Sunday June 19th. Please get in touch
with Lucy (520252) or Gina (520153) if you are interested in sharing the delights of
your garden with us.

******* Regular Events *******

25th Feb

Messy Church,

Jubilee Hall Gayton 3:30pm

Arrival 3.30pm for colouring and refreshments strict kick off with songs and story by 4pm.

We look forward to seeing you there for some more fun (and food!)

Great Massingham:
Afternoon Teas

Every Wednesday from 2pm (to whenever)

You are welcome to join us in 34, John Morton Crescent;
for a cuppa, a chat and, of course, cake.
Donations as usual to the toilet fund.

Prayer Group WEDNESDAY:

8.15 pm

Massingham; (next to Dabbling Duck)

at Barrack House, Great

Tel: Domi Bernardin 01485 521835

Bible Study: ~ Thursday 8pm to 9:30pm: 89, Station Rd., Great Massingham.
Tel: Arianne Henson, 01485 520077, or Jo Wilson, 01485 520914 for more information.
Please send items for inclusion in the March issue of the Parish Notes to the editor by
17th February~
Rosemary Mehers
rosemarymehers@hotmail.com
2 Old Post Office Court, Harpley. PE31 6GW;

or Tel: 01485 521866