Notes from around the Parishes, June 2017

For Great Massingham, Little Massingham & Harpley

The Reverend Judith Pollard writes.

The sound of Mendelssohns Wedding March will soon be
echoing around our villages its June, although perhaps not
flamin June as I write, but certainly the start of the main
wedding season. They say if you marry in June youre a
bride all your life, and the bridegroom who marries in June
gets a sweetheart for a wife. Well, there may not be seven
brides for seven brothers this year - but its just as exciting for
all those involved in planning a wedding.
People are still choosing to tie the knot in church, making solemn promises in
the eyes of God and in front of the gathered congregation, despite competition
from alternatives like all-in-one wedding and reception venues. Vows of love
made in public are always extremely moving and its a joy and privilege to be
alongside couples at this important time in their lives. We consider the different
qualities of love: such as patience, kindness, trust and forbearance, truthfulness;
and the cost of loving someone - because love always comes at a cost.
So in June love is in the air and it would be good to keep this uppermost in our
minds as we are all drawn to other more turbulent events, less joyful perhaps but
certainly emotionally charged. Im thinking of the General Election.
Many people are anxious and disturbed by the challenging, uncharted political
territory in which we find ourselves however we voted in the referendum or plan
to vote on Thursday June 8th.
Love in all its complexity is conspicuously absent from the political arena,
especially during election campaigns - and yet we need it so much. Our
Archbishops, Justin and John, have written an open pastoral letter to the whole
country, available to read in its entirety on the Church of England website. In it
they urge us to take inspiration from the ancient Christian values of love, trust
and hope, while playing our part in these troubled times with generosity and
kindness: the season of Easter invites us to celebrate and renew our love of God
and our love of our neighbour, our trust and hope in God and in each other.
Some people think that the Church should never speak out nor involve itself in
politics; but being the established Church, church and state are inextricably
entwined in our Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, Defender of the Faith and Head
of State. She offers us a perfect example of loving, prayerful service to all her
people without exception, however they choose to vote on June 8th.
My love and prayers to you all and for our country.
Yours in Christ, Judith
 SERVICES Across the Group for JUNE 2017

Sunday, June 4th ~ Pentecost (Whitsun)

0930 Family Service St Lawrences, Harpley
1100 Holy Communion St Marys, Great Mass
0830 Holy Communion All Saints, Ashwicken
1030 Holy Communion St Botolphs, Grimston
1030 Morning Praise St Nicholas, Gayton
3pm Prayer Meeting St Andrews, Congham
Weds, June 7th ~ 9am Holy Communion at St Lawrences, Harpley
Sunday, June 11th ~ Trinity Sunday
1030 Group Holy Communion St Marys, Great Massingham
4pm The Gap Pott Row Methodist Chapel

Sunday, June 18th ~ The First Sunday after Trinity (also Fathers Day!)
0930 Holy Communion St Andrews, Little Massingham
1100 Family Service St Marys, Great Massingham
1115 Sung Holy Communion St Lawrences, Harpley
0830 Holy Communion All Saints, Roydon
1030 Holy Communion St Nicholas, Gayton
1030 Morning Praise St Botolphs, Grimston
Monday, June 19th Central Visitation at St Nicholas Church, Dersingham
7 for 7:30 At this service of evening prayer Churchwardens are admitted to
office by the Archdeacon of Lynn, the Ven John Ashe.
Weds, June 21st ~ 9am Holy Communion at St Botolphs, Grimston

Sunday, June 25th ~ The Second Sunday after Trinity

1100 Holy Communion St Marys, Great Massingham
0830 Holy Communion St Andrews, Congham
1030 Family Service St Botolphs, Grimston
Sunday, July 2nd ~ The Third Sunday after Trinity
0930 Family Service St Lawrences, Harpley
1100 Holy Communion St Marys, Great Mass
0830 Holy Communion St Marys, East Walton
1030 Holy Communion St Botolphs, Grimston
1030 Morning Praise St Nicholas, Gayton
3pm Prayer Meeting All Saints, Ashwicken
Our Ministry Team:
Team Rector: Team Vicar:
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:
St Andrews, Lt Mass, on 26th April Edward (Eddie) Albert Woor
St Lawrences, Harpley, on 9th May Sheila Jean Ashton

Celebrations at St Marys, Great Massingham:

Marriage of Daniel Oliver Pickard & Rebecca Ann Fanneran on Saturday 27thMay
Baptism of Oliver Anthony Lockwood on Sunday 28th May

Saint Lawrences Summer Spruce Up ~ Help needed to clean the

church for summer; All welcome! Refreshments provided.
Thursday 22nd June from 9:30am
contact Lucy on 520252 or just turn up!

Wednesdays in June and July: The Lenten soup lunches were enjoyed by all who attended so
members of St Lawrences, Harpley have decided to continue the social theme
and hold some Summer Lunches.
For just 15 a head come along (alone or with friends) and join a small group to
share a delicious meal in homes around Harpley. All welcome. To help the chef
booking is essential and places are limited so dont leave it too late! The meal starts at 1230 and
profits will help us pay our Parish Share (the amount we contribute towards the cost of the clergy
who serve us all in our community. In Harpley this is, annually, about 4500 to find above what
we need for the upkeep and repair of the building).

Date Venue Host

28th June Rose Cottage, Brickyard Lane Jean Pocklington 520368
12th July 22, Back Street Gina Wagg 520153
26th July The Old Rectory, Nethergate St Lucy Brown 520252

Afternoon Teas ~ Every Wednesday from 3pm

in St Marys Church, Great Massingham.
Messy Church ~ We kick off at 4pm with songs and a story
followed by craft activities then we enjoy some lively worship before
settling down for a cooked meal together. We aim to finish around
5.30pm. We would love to see you there. To find out more or if you have any questions
please do contact Revd. Jane 01553 636227
Arrive between 3.30pm and 4pm for a 4pm start.
St Nicholas Church, Gayton, from 3.30pm; Thurs 22nd June

Tractor Rally ~ Sunday 18th June at Manor Farm, Gayton Rd, Grimston
Organised by the Friends of St Botolph the tractors will be on show
from 09:30 to 10:30; they will set off on their rally and will return to the
farm for the afternoon from 2pm to 5pm.

Music in Country Churches ~ 25th and 26th July

Three high quality concerts will be held in St Marys, Great Massingham.
Contact Margaret Bowes if you are able to help steward. (01485 520135).
Tickets from the box office: 01485 535071 (Mon to Fri 9:30am to 4:30pm)
Further info from: musicincountrychurches.com

Roydons
"Bit of a Do"
At Roydon Church
on Saturday 8th July 1pm - 4pm
Return of the Dog Show
Stalls and games including Cakes, Mini-farm, Tombola, Raffle, Refreshments,

Congham Fte and Snail Racing.

Saturday 15th July 2016 from 2pm till 5pm.

Everything you would expect from a country village fte with

games, stalls, a raffle and loads of fun ...
plus the great excitement that is snail racing!!!

Please send items for inclusion in the July issue of the Parish Notes to the editor by
17th June~ Rosemary Mehers rosemarymehers@hotmail.com
2 Old Post Office Court, Harpley. PE31 6GW; or Tel: 01485 521866