For your diaryA really big welcome to Emma and Ben who joined us in Harvington this week. We know you will both become a very special part of our church family.
For your diaryWeek beginning 5th September youth groups start back
Thursday 8th September 8pm @ Jan's tea and chat - please contact Chris if you need a lift
Saturday 11th September outing to Snodome - see Ruth for details
September 19th Church Quarterly Meeting 7.30 pm in the chapel, this is for everyone involved in the church in any way, please come if you can, lifts available
Sunday 25th September Harvest Brunch 11.a.m. Chapel - collection will go towards Operation Agri today
Wednesday 28th September 'Share Prayer Together' 8pm @ Mel & Carolyns home
Tuesday 4th October House groups start- new format, details to follow
Wednesday 26th October 'Share Prayer Together' 8 pm @ Mel & Carolyns home
Saturday 12th November Brain of Harvington Quiz 7.30 pm @ village hall (thanks to our intrepid team of four who 'volunteered' their brains!)
Sunday 13th November 9.30am Remembrance service at St. James
Wednesday 23rd November @ 'Share Prayer together' 8 pm @ Mel & Carolyns home
On a lovely warm sunny Sunday in June twenty one of us enjoyed a picnic lunch by the lake at Ragley hall. Afterwards Some of us got lost in the maze! And explored the adventure wood whilst others enjoyed a walk through the sculpture gardens - a really lovely afternoon.
A huge thank you to Liz and Hugh who held a barbecue and games evening in their garden - on a beautiful balmy July evening, as well as archery skittles and go-carts some of us were launched from the jetty for a trip around Hugh's pond - see photo!
We are hoping to go to the snodome on 10th September - please see Ruth if interested.
Ruth
What has happened since last February when the Church asked the Deacons to obtain planning permission for a much needed side extension to the building?
Our planning application was submitted to Wychavon but unfortunately the local authority has placed tree preservation orders on the trees in the grounds of our property, as they are seen as an amenity to the village. This therefore means that our application for the extension has been declined.
The Deacons have therefore made representations to the Council, which draws out the point that the extension will be, a greater amenity to the village than the trees. If you would like to see a copy of this letter, which has been very well written by Peter Bowen, please speak to any of the Deacons.
Incidentally the Parish Council have supported the Church by also raising objections to the tree preservation order for the same reasons as ours.
We are at present awaiting a decision from the planning committee and once this matter has been resolved there is no reason why as a Church we cannot proceed swiftly with the Churches vision to extend the premises.
Please continue to pray for our work and witness in this village and that we soon be able to start the building work.
Mel
Ingredients:
1 Tin of Plum Tomatoes, 2 onions, 4 courgettes, sprig of oregano or marjoram, sprig of thyme, pinch of salt.
Method:
Slice onions and courgettes;
Empty tin of tomatoes into pan and then add the sliced onions and courgettes and the herbs;
Simmer gently until vegetables are tender.
Application:
Very tasty with sausages, bacon, gammon or chicken.
Hint:
Quantities of onions and courgettes can be varied. Fresh tomatoes can be substituted for the tinned ones. Dried herbs can be used if sprigs of fresh herbs not available. (Herbs can be left out altogether but you will not then enjoy the distinctive Mediterranean flavour of the dish.)
I can vouch for this, its delicious, thanks Chris! Lynn
Recently a new store opened where unmarried women could go to choose a husband. The store, which was laid out on five floors, promised that all the men on offer had positive attributes, which increased as one ascended. However, the store policy was that, having decided to proceed to a higher floor, a customer could not go back down except to leave the store altogether, never to return.
Two woman friends interested in acquiring husbands went to the store. The sign on the first floor read: 'The men on this floor are in employment and are good with children.' The women agreed that this was better than not having a job and hating children but decided to go up to the second floor.
The sign on the second floor read: 'The men on this floor have good jobs, love children and are good looking.' The ladies paused but, on reflection decided that they would go on further up. On the third floor, the sign read 'The men on this floor have well paid jobs, really love children, are extremely good looking and help with some of the housework.' The ladies agreed this was very tempting but decided that they really must go up another floor.
On the fourth floor, the sign read: 'The men on this floor have highly-paid jobs, adore children, are outright handsome, help with all the housework and have a strong romantic streak.' The ladies said 'Wow, fantastic. Just think what must be waiting for us on the next floor up!' So up to the fifth floor they went.
The sign on the fifth floor read: 'This floor is empty and exists only to prove that some women are impossible to please. The exit is to your left.'
Needless to say this was submitted by a man!
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To all the ladies on floors 1 to 5 (and those floating somewhere in between) here is something just for us:
The Christmas Barn at Shrawley near Worcester
Supper in a beautiful old farmhouse, demonstration of all things floral and decorative with Christmas in mind, and a chance to go shopping as well, further details to follow but if you think you would like to go can you let me know, dates/cost will be confirmed within next week or so and we need to book quickly to secure a place. Looking at late November/early December.
I grew up in a very supportive and loving home surrounded by a huge extended family, none of whom to my knowledge were Christians. At the age of 5 or 6 my cousin asked if I'd like to go 'Endeavour' with her. My mum took me along the first Tuesday evening at 5.30 p.m. it was held at the local Methodist Church. After that first evening I wasn't sure if i liked it - the leader was very strict - so I decided that I wouldn't go anymore. After a few weeks my cousin invited me to Sunday School, mum took me along between 2.30 and 3.30 in the afternoon. My Sunday School teacher was Mrs Acerman - she was lovely - an elderly woman who was kind and gentle. I stayed at Sunday School, progressing through the classes until I left for University, becoming a Sunday School teacher myself when I was about 14. Meanwhile I went back to 'Endeavour' and gave it a go, got to know the leaders and became very involved.
Christian Endeavour was a fantastic organisation; somewhat 'old fashioned' in its approaches to teaching but great fun too! Its motto was 'For Christ and His Church.' Each person, whatever their age or ability was encouraged to be an active participant. The Christian Endeavour promise which was to be learnt by everyone and recited each week was:
Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for strength I promise Him that I will strive to do whatever He would have me do. That I would pray and read the Bible every day and that I will try to lead a Christian life. I will be at every meeting of the society when I can and will take some part in every meeting.
This grounding and foundation has been so important in my life and has given me so much experience that has proved invaluable.
As I was growing up I suppose I was always aware of God and what he had done for me, I tried to live a life that would be pleasing to God but I hadn't made any commitment. It wasn't until I went away for a weekend with my youth group that I actually thought about control of my life and commitment. The worship leader challenged us to think about the words of songs we were singing. the song was 'Jesus we enthrone you' - the leader asked us to think about who was on the throne of our lives. I knew that I was in control on my life not Jesus so that I suppose was the first step to commitment and handing control to Him - I was 12 at the time. My journey has continued through the years, its been a roller coaster ride but a ride I would not have wanted to change. Its not always been easy to follow but I know that God is with me every step of the way.
Jayne
Do you have a testimony you would be willing to share? Perhaps it is a story of how you came to faith, or how God has used that faith in your life. If so, we would love to hear it, help with writing up your thoughts if needed.
What you are is God's Gift to you
What you become is your gift to God
I just wanted to thank the two chapel ladies who took four sprightly 80+ oldies out for to the open day at House of the Open Door in Childwickham.
It was a lovely way to spend a summer afternoon. First of all we enjoyed a walk around the sixty acre small holding to see some of the animals. There were ducks, chickens, some exotic colourful birds, sheep, horses, goats and cattle. Then we went to watch a potter at work on her wheel which was very interesting, she has a led a service at Harvington in the past, followed by a lovely cream tea, you can see us enjoying ourselves below!
We went to sit in the family chapel for a prayer and a chat. Following that we went to see the gardens, knowing my love of flowers, I really enjoyed the beautiful collection. There was even a prayer garden, where certain areas had been used to focus on different prayers and pieces of scripture. Ofcourse I couldn't resist the plant stall on the way out, and Jan won some home made marmalade. It was a beautiful ride home, with the countryside in all its full June glory.
It was an afternoon to be remembered. Once again I say "Thank you ladies, its nice to know you care!"
God Bless, Irene
At 11.00 o'clock on Sunday 3rd September 1939 Britain declared war on Germany. We were given an identity card (mine was DHVF 188/5) and gas mask. I was living in Gravesend, Kent and employed a s a draughtsman at Standard Telephones and Cables, North Woolwich on radar development.
A black out was imposed, this meant no street lights or road signs and all windows covered to prevent any lights showing to assist enemy aircraft. Remember food rationing? A weeks ration per person was:
4 oz butter or lard, 4oz bacon 2 eggs, 12 oz. Sugar, 3.5 oz cooked bacon or ham. Rationing of bread, sweets, clothes furniture and petrol soon followed.
On May 10th Churchill became prime minister. On a morning train to work, I met some of the troops who had been evacuated from work and were going home, having to leave all armaments behind. France signed and armistice for Germany, leaving us to face them alone. All people on war work were required to work seven days a week. This was difficult for me as there was a limited train service, but after three months we dropped to six days.
In 1940 the Germans bombed the docks at London, I could see the fires from the hill. In the summer, the Battle of Britain began. I saw several dogfights and German planes shot down by spitfires and hurricanes. I also witnessed bomber planes shot down by anti aircraft and the crew bailing out in parachutes. Perhaps the worst time was the winter of 1940/41 with the blitz on London and round the clock bombing for seven months. During the night we went down to our Anderson shelter in the garden, but it was so cold and damp we went back indoors. At the height of the raids, 900 aircraft dropped high explosive and incendiary bombs on London and towns by the Thames. In the morning I could see from the train some of the remains of the bombed houses. As the roads were blocked, no food was delivered that day, although I did hear of a chef hiring a boat to collect sausages from a warehouse!
To safeguard production and development the government moved the factory to a disused rope mill at Ilminster in Somerset. I was billeted at Stocklinch manor which was owned by a descendant of Judge Jefferies. There was no transport here so I bought my first Morris car for which I was given petrol coupons for work and shopping. After a few weeks I moved to Westport and lodged with a widow whose husband had built a chapel in the village. I went there on Sunday evenings, they had lay preachers and used Sankeys hymns.
I met Phyllis in 1942 when she was producing statistics on quality control. We became engaged two days before her 21st birthday and were married on 11th December 1943 in her local Methodist church. We had our reception in the village hall and went on honeymoon to the Windsor hotel, Newquay. We made our first home in Chard but late moved to Westport where I helped to start a Sunday school in the village.
War ended in 1945 with great celebrations. The village organised a carnival and celebration tea for all the children.
Fred
Boys, does anyone ever ask you to do something you find really difficult, so tricky in fact, that you think its impossible! Heres a challenge to work on with Mum and Dad, (who might also find it tricky!)
Take a sheet of A4 paper (a grown up will know what this means) and cut a hole big enough for you, or even a grown up, to climb through!
If you manage it, will you bring it in to show us?
September 2005