Stambourne

Digital version of the June-July 2020 Stambourne Newsletter, the bi-monthly printed newsletter published and distributed by Stambourne Parish Council – No: 257

STAMBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL

STAMBOURNE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

News from the Chapel

You may have noticed the sign outside the Chapel as shown…

This reflects the fact that church, like a country, a town, or a village is not made of just buildings, fittings and fixtures, but of people. And as they find out in countries where the church is persecuted, knocking down the building does not close the church! And so it is in these current times. The Church that normally gathers on a Sunday morning is as active as ever. Some are self-isolating, but that doesn’t mean they are not being helpful to others around them. A friendly telephone call and making sure someone is safe and well can be a life saver!

Church more than ever is an organisation designed for those who do not belong. It is for those who can be helped, supported, and encouraged. It provides peace and prayer and healing and comfort, and in times like these it provides hands and feet on the ground trying to look after those around. So some of our number are NHS volunteers, some are helping those who are in self isolation, others are providing telephone support and still others have organised the plant sale which was a real blessing to many and raised over £300 to support people who are in need during this pandemic. So if you have a skill you can offer we would like to hear from you. Some skills we seek are for computer abilities to make YouTube videos and web sites. There are various other things we are looking for – give us a call and we will discuss!

So you see, above all, we are not closed! And the building will gradually and slowly come back into use over the coming months. We won’t have large gatherings for several months yet, but we may have smaller numbers, socially distanced. And this month we offer a space to pray and talk over issues for individuals, sometimes outside (weather permitting) but at other times distanced inside and with days between visits. Above all we are sticking to the government guidelines, unclear as they are, as best we can. So do give me call – I would love to hear how you are getting on!

Every blessing,

Adrian Burr, Minister

WHAT’S ON

Sundays
Sunday Service is delivered with a mixture of Facebook, YouTube and printed scripts for those who cannot access the emailed version. We meet together but apart on Sunday mornings at 10.45am.

Wednesdays
We meet to chat on Zoom on Wednesday evenings — call for details and come and join us.

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 are in need of comfort or strength to face life’s 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.

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

ST. PETER & ST. THOMAS BECKET PARISH CHURCH

HELP IDENTIFY THE NEXT BISHOP OF CHELMSFORD – CONSULTATION NOW OPEN

The process is now underway to discern who God is calling to be the next Bishop of Chelmsford. As part of this process, a diocese wide consultation is now open.

Submissions are welcome from churches, groups and individuals until 4th July. A group discussion will be organised in our parish soon, so that we can give the views of our church community.

Please use the framework below to share your view and send to revlizpaxton@gmail.com.

The discussion will inform a submission to the consultation on behalf of our churches. Submissions are also welcome from Individuals directly on the Diocesan website if you prefer.

If you are emailing your consultation response, please try to structure your response using the following questions:

• Can you tell us what you value most about the Church in your community as well as across Essex and East London?
• What challenges does the Church face in East London and Essex as we seek to share the Good News of Jesus?
• What wider issues would you like our next Bishop of Chelmsford to be passionate about?
• What qualities, skills or leadership characteristics will our next Bishop of Chelmsford require?
• What kind of person will our next Bishop of Chelmsford need to be (particularly as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic)?
• What else would you like to tell us?

The Appointment Secretaries for the Archbishops and the Prime Minister will also be holding meetings at the end of June and beginning of July with representatives of the Church and the communities we serve to hear people’s views to inform their advice to the Crown Nominations Commission.

I look forward to hearing your views and passing them on to the Diocese of Chelmsford.

Blessings,

Rev. Liz Paxton, Rector

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

STAMBOURNE ACTIVITIES

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COMPETITION TIME!

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STAMBOURNE STONES

Please remember when placing and hunting for these stones to ensure that you keep to official footpaths and follow the countryside code.

• Enjoy the outdoors
• Plan ahead, check what facilities are open, be prepared
• Follow advice and local signs and obey social distancing measures
• The Countryside Code
• Respect other people
• Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors
• Park carefully so access to gateways and driveways are clear
• Leave gates and property as you find them
• Follow paths but give way to others where it’s narrow
• Protect the natural environment
• Leave no trace of your visit, take all your litter home
• Don’t have BBQs or fires
• Keep dogs under effective control
• Dog poo-bag it and bin it

Enjoy, be safe

Download the Stambourne Newsletter as PDF

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