Stambourne

Digital version of the February-March 2020 Stambourne Newsletter, the bi-monthly printed newsletter published and distributed by Stambourne Parish Council – No: 255

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STAMBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL

Next Meetings

Thursday, 12th March 2020
Thursday, 21st May 2020
Thursday, 23rd July 2020
Thursday, 17th September 2020
Thursday, 19th November 2020

All at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

Full minutes and agendas are available on stambourne.com/parish-council.

Debbie Hilliard, Parish Clerk
Email: debbiehilliard614@gmail.com, Tel: 01440 785629

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Christmas lights

Several people commented how cheerful the village looked over the Christmas period — a big thank you to everybody who put up Christmas lights and decorated their houses.

Cycle event — Advance notice

Just to advise residents that a cycle event will take place on 22nd March on roads close to our village:

Please make a note and take special care when out and about that day. Additional information can be found on the website: ukcyclingevents.co.uk (Suffolk Spring Classic).

STAMBOURNE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

News from the Chapel

First, thanks to all who contributed to the fun and happiness that 22 people enjoyed at the Chapel on Christmas day as they shared Christmas Dinner together. Without your help and support it could not happen — so thank you from us all! Book now for next year!!!

Thanks all who came to Coffee with Cops in December. Concern was expressed about speeding and the hare coursing issues and we know the police have listened and discussed what can be done.

But moving on! This is the month when Lent starts which takes us through the whole of March and into April leading up to Easter. “So What?” I hear you say. “It’s a time that doesn’t impact my everyday life” – and yes it has become largely forgotten by society generally and seems both invisible and irrelevant. And yet it could be a time when change happens for us all as we spend time with our God who loves us so much.

For it doesn’t take much to change the world! The coronavirus in China is having major impacts on the world. Share prices are changing and the economic growth forecasts are being revised and all because of something that we can’t easily see that makes people seriously ill. It can take only a tiny thing to change the world!

As a group of people who believe we continually pray for people all around the world, whether they are suffering a man-made disaster or a natural one. Whether they are persecuted, in the midst of a war, an outbreak of famine, fire or flood, the one thing we can do is pray. And some of these things are closer to home than we would like. The use of foodbanks is still growing, people are suffering due to changes in social care, our public services are under continuing pressure, whether that means transport, medical services, care facilities or the emergency services. And more and more people are suddenly finding themselves out of their home as financial pressures increase and as it becomes increasingly acceptable to see the break-up of families. And so there is much for us to pray for, and you may know of things you would like prayer for too – so do send in your prayer requests to us. We would love to pray for the things that concern you most!

But our prayer is coupled with action. Foodbank collections go to REACH in Haverhill. Clothes, sanitary products and disability aids go to UK-AID who support the people who have suffered – and are still suffering, the effects the Chernobyl disaster. The Dalit communities in India are supported, particularly the children of poor rural villages where an education is not an option, but the Orphan Home provides refuge and education for just a few of the children. And there are always special appeals for disasters, both in the UK and abroad.

And those who find coping with our social systems difficult find help as we walk beside them through the difficult systems that aim to weed out false claims, but often mean many people suffer real hardship. And in later life that becomes even more difficult and so action is required to ensure real support is provided to those in need.

So there is so much support required in these days when the state systems seem so overloaded. In order to help people find that support we have speakers from various organisations coming on Tuesday lunchtimes to talk us through what help and support is available. See our Lent Lunches advert for details.

But as Spring springs, and summer looms we pray that all will be able to enjoy life to the full!

Every blessing,

Adrian Burr, Minister

Contacts: 
Adrian Burr, Minister, stambournechapelminister@gmail.com, 07983 656 166
Margaret Mead, Secretary & prayer request, margaretannmead@gmail.com, 07561 283 587
Jill Holmes, Project Lead & Stambourne Chapel Care, stambournechapelcare@gmail.com, 07883 423 528

Find us on Facebook: Stambourne Chapel or Stambourne Chapel Care

WHAT’S ON

LENT LUNCHES	EVERY TUESDAY DURING LENT: 12pm -1.15pm. SOUP & BREAD PLUS A SPEAKER
25th February	Pancake Lunch, What is Lent – video
3rd March	Carl Knightly, Chief Executive, Faith in Later Life Services to support the older person
10th March	Abi Morris talking about Dementia Awareness, how to recognize it and how to help those with it
17th March	Karen James from AGE UK who provide loads of services for older people from befriending to providing support equipment
24th March	BREATHING S P A C E! Reflecting on life…. (or possibly COMMUNITY360 speaker)
31st March	Sue Monckton-Rickett from The Association of Christian Counsellors – mental health and support through difficult times
7th April	Alex Howell, from Macmillan Cancer Support. What do they do with the money from the Big Coffee Morning?

EASTER

10th April	Good Friday Reflection at 6 pm – a time of quiet with God
12th April	Easter Sunday Celebration Service at 10:45 am
13-17th April	April Spring Harvest at Skegness – come and join thousands of Christians learning about the Unleashed! The Acts Church today
18th April	April Music and Mission — UK-AID event
5th May	EARLY WARNING! Our PLANT SWAP will be on May 5th (depending on how the growing season goes!)

REGULAR ACTIVITIES

PRAYER
The Chapel prays regularly for many people, but sometimes you may feel a need for an urgent prayer as you face some difficult situation, or in need of comfort or strength to face lifes ups and downs. Please call either Adrian or Margaret, or just drop a prayer request note through the Chapel post box. We don’t need a name or details, but promise we will pray for whatever you feel able to share.

ST. PETER & ST. THOMAS BECKET PARISH CHURCH

Although Christmas is a distant memory to most of us, I would like to thank all those who attended the Carol Service and give special thanks to the Hedingham Singers who sang wonderfully and kept us all in tune! The Christmas morning service was well attended and our thanks to Rev. Liz Paxton for leading us.

In November there were two funeral services at the Church, Ann Bradfield and Christine Read, “May they rest in peace”.

SERVICES AT STAMBOURNE FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS

Date	Time	Service
2nd February	9.30am	Morning Prayer	Dave Brown
9th February	9.30am	Holy Communion	Rev. Liz Paxton
16th February	No service at Stambourne – please see notice board for other services in the Benefice
23rd February	9.30am	Holy Communion	Rev. Liz Paxton
1st March	9.30am	Morning Prayer	Dave Brown
8th March	9.30am	Holy Communion	Rev. Liz Paxton
15th March	No service at Stambourne – please see notice board for other services in the Benefice
22nd March	9.30am	Morning Prayer	Dave Brown
29th March	11am	Benefice Service at Stambourne Church	Rev. Liz Paxton

Looking ahead

PALM SUNDAY — Sunday, 5th April
Benefice walk from Sible Hedingham Church at 10am to Castle Hedingham Church. There will be a short service at both Churches so if you are unable to do the walk please come along to one of the services.

EASTER SUNDAY — Sunday, 12th April
Holy Communion at 9.30am – Rev. Liz Paxton

Val Kerrison, Churchwarden

valeriekerrison@outlook.com, 01440 785 752 or 07879 816 362

RECTOR’S RAMBLINGS

Look at this from the message Bible:

26 God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”

27 God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female.

28 God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”

29 Then God said, “I’ve given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth And every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food.

30 To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food.” And there it was.

31 God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good!

I think we can all agree that we have not taken care of the planet the way God wanted us to – but we can still do a little – so please get on board with the local initiatives for caring for our local environment, to keep our village and the surrounding countryside beautiful for ourselves and for our children.

Blessings,

Rev. Liz Paxton, Rector

The Benefice of the Hedinghams and Upper Colne
revlizpaxton@gmail.com
07932 160 594 or 01787 277 270

STAMBOURNE CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY

Here are some of the fabulous things we’re planning for 2020:

• Coach trip to London to see “9 to 5 The Musical” at The Savoy Theatre
• Fill a hanging basket to take home demonstrated by “Plants that Grow” followed by refreshments at “Petals”
• Tasting evening at Great Yeldham Hall Distillery (may need taxis home!)
• Chocolatier comes to Stambourne, the best ever!
• M & Co Autumn Fashion Show
• “Shelley” author Shelley Hull’s inspirational memoir
• Glassfusion — Glassblowers will show us how to create a glass vase to take away followed by drinks at the Red Lion, Sturmer
• Three course “Picnic at the Pavilion” bring your own tipple
• Guide Dogs for the Blind — a visit by a guide dog and it’s volunteer

Contact: Vicky 07778 410 376 or Lorna 01440 785 573 for more details.

STAMBOURNE ACTIVITIES

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NEWS FROM THE VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE

To book the Village Hall call Rosi Horton on 01440 785 339 or email rosihorton1@gmail.com.

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