Fundraising fun!

    The 'Tour de France' comes to Hixon! I am not very confident in my drawing skills, so I thought I'd find a few pictures inspiring me and others. However there is no French reference there. Well we'll have to add a flag!

Another fundraising meeting!

Last night we had another fundraising meeting at the vicarage! The very ordered brainstorming session lasted more than two hours, not counting the time spent outside the box eating biscuits or going off on a tangent! It was fun! Everyone is responsible to put their idea into practice! 
One of our sister had a wonderful idea based on The parable of the tenants. So watch this space!

How to have an effective fundraising?
1) The event must be exciting and of quality, potentially attractive to all ages
2) It has to be well advertised. In the team Mid-trent Churches, we are using a magazine called compass and it's delivered free of charge in every household of the different parishes. 
3) In my personal opinion, it is effective when when people do what they are happy to do (obvious but not so easy to sort out). For example, one of our brothers enjoys preparing a quizz, and one of our musician sisters is sorting out a concert.
When does it go wrong?
1) Weather can make things go pear shape!
2) Not enough time given to organisation and communication could be disastrous!
It if goes wrong, not to worry, one has to learn from one's mistakes.
Do you participate to fundraising in your church? Do you find it a chore or a pleasure? 
Have a blessed day in Christ. 

Prayers

The Miraculous Draft of Fishes. Acts of the Apostles.

In peace let us pray.
Be still for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.
Risen Lord as we prepare to receive Holy Communion, we remember with humble thanks the sacrifice you made for us.

We pray for the Queen and the Royal family and especially this morning, we pray for the little girl born to the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge.

We pray for those affected by the earthquake in Nepal, especially those who have been injured, the homeless and all those who mourn the loss of loved ones, the orphans and the hungry. Lord of tenderness and mercy we ask you to relieve the burden of trauma, worry and pain from the victims of Nepal. We pray that they will find courage to rebuild their lives and their communities.

In our prayers, we remember the work of the aid agencies and volunteers working to help the people of Nepal. Lord of comfort and compassion, bless with humility those who work to relieve the pain and suffering of those affected in the Nepal earthquake, help them to deliver the basics of life and where there is despair let them bring hope.

Almighty God, Shepherd of the sheep, defender of the defenceless, we ask for your blessing on Elisa newly baptised into your Church Family. Hold her in your arms and bless her, shine your light on her path and let her always know her loving presence. Lord we ask you for your blessing on her parents, grandparents and God parents. May they always be ready to listen and to comfrot, to laught, to pray and encourage and to praise and throught their love for Elisa, may they receive your loving kindness.

Finally, we pray for ourselves, for our own discipleship, and in the presence of Almighty God, we take a few moments of silence to talk to him now...

As we work through the tapestry of life, we pull together the threads of our journey - the rich colours of success and shades of sorrow, the stitches of friendship and the design of our destiny. Almighty God, creator of all things, as we weeave through your pattern, let your light shine before us to show us the way; let your hand carry us in times of trouble or doubt and let your love embrace us, helping us to do our best to the glory of your name.

Merciful Lord accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus-Christ. Amen.

Wayne
Sandon Church, Mid-trent churches.

Lent studies 2015

All are invited to attend this Lent course at St Peter church in Hixon. Have a blessed evening.

After the week-end..

After the week-end, I don't know about you, but I feel lethargic it's just as well that I have the afternoon off! 

It could be because we had a fantastic Saturday evening with our friends, Leslie and John, celebrating their fourtieth wedding anniversary with a wonderful diner and an exciting barn dance! Exactly, how cool was that! I just thought that it was the best idea ever and I know that everybody else thought the same! I confess that my dance moves were slightly hesitant but no one cared, it was so much fun. The company was terrific, the music, singers and guitarists were outstanding. We were thinking that this event was soooo good that we should organise every two months!.

Sunday was great too, there was a breakfast at Weston church and a great service at Hixon church. Later on, my hubby Steven cooked a superb bbq with a salad made of home grown betroots. After I joined more friends at an evening service in Beacon church in Stafford. I hope you too had a blessed week-end. 

Have you heard of this charity: hands at work. 

Photos to come soon!

Enjoy the Christmas church services

Last night, Steven went carolling at Stowe last night and I joined him later on. Everybody had a great time. 

Sunday 22nd December
St Peter's, Hixon - Team Service and Communion 10.00
St Peter's, Hixon - Carols at the Inn at 7.00.pm where the 'Inn' is the Bank House pub
Tuesday 24th December - Christmas Eve
All Saints, Sandon -  Christingle at 4.00.pm.
All Saint's, Milwich - Crib Service 4.00.pm
St. Peter's, Hixon - Christingle 5.00.pm
St. Andrew's, Weston - Christingle Service 6.00.pm
St. James the Less, Fradswell - Christmas Communion 8.00.pm
St. Peter's, Hixon - Midnight Communion 11.30.pm
All Saints, Milwich - Midnight Communion 11.30.pm
St. James the Great, Salt - Midnight Communion 11.30.pm
All Saints, Sandon - Midnight Communion 11.30.pm
St. Andrew's, Weston - Midnight Communion 11.30.pm
Wednesday 25th December - Christmas Day
St. Rufin, Burston - Christmas Communion 9.30.am
St. Peter's, Hopton - Christmas Communion 9.30.am
St. Peter's, Gayton - Christmas Communion 11.15.am
St John's, Stowe  - Christmas Communion at 11.15.am
Sunday 29th December
St. John's, Stowe  - Team Service at 10.00.am - farewell to Jason

Service cancelled due to bad weather

Due to the snowdrifts and bad access to Sandon church (a 10 o'clock service) our confirmation service had to be cancelled. Philip, our team rector phoned Bishop Jeff who was digging his car out of the snow up in Barlaston, just on time, and then succeeded to ring all the candidates. 
Fortunately it was decided that we would have a service (at 11:15) at Weston which is of a more accessible church with a better parking. The weather forecast was -I am told- looking quite good yesterday. It was a lovely Palm Sunday service, with excellent hymns, and well attended by parishioners all around Mid-trent churches team. The younger ones made different coloured palm leaves which we shook when we sang 'At the name of Jesus' composed by John Michael Brierley (b. 1932), one of my favourite hymn.
On a funny note, Imo decided to go for a walk with her friend Kathy and was looking for a pair of wellies (size 5). I told her to look in the garage to see if her sister's wellies (size 4) would fit. She found them and brought them to us complaining that there were bits of paper in it. So I emptied them in the garden and to our surprise, with the bits of paper came a fair amount of sunflower seeds. She tried them on but they did not fit. Some time she left. Then Steven, the good looking vicar (!) told me that the rural mice had probably selected those boots for their spring nest and hoard. I told you that the neighbour's cat Lucy always comes uninvited, thinking about it, I am glad that we have this cat keeping the rural mice at bay. 
Have a blessed Sunday. Yours in Christ. N.

Hixon harvest supper 2012

Time really flies! However as this week-end we've had beautiful evenings that remind me of an 'Indian summer' it is hard to think that autumn is on its way! Hixon PCC is getting ready for the harvest supper hence the poster above. Do come along, bring your friends and have fun! Yours in Christ! N.

The wardens' evening ....december 2012

A few photos taken at Phil and Paola's home for the warden's buffet.

We had a great time in amazing company...
Pic 1...Elaine and Liz
Pic 2...Alan and Pat
Pic 3...John and Lesley
Pic 4....Phil, Elaine, Paola, Stuart and Steven

Lots more people were around, still at times I feel that taking photographs can be intruding ...as I've already mentioned...
Thanks from all of us to Philip and Paola
God bless you all 

Harvest supper, Hixon Village Hall, 24/09 at 7:30

Next saturday, we are holding a Harvest Supper on Saturday the 24th of September at 7:30 p.m. in the village Hall. It should be great fun as there will be some singing, courtesy of Anna-Greta and Ingrid, a quiz devised by Tim, a raffle,  viewing of the vicar's Crazy Act 2, some hot food and much more. See you there. Blessings. N

Mid-trent Churches events for September

Saturday 3rd September 2011
All Saints, Sandon Church picnic -Church Car Park from 15.00 - 18.00. In a marquee - please bring your own food and drink
Sunday 11th September
Walk - St. Peter's, Hixon Church Car Park at 14.00 and returning for light refreshments £5 donation
16th to 20th September
Harvest Flower Festival - All Saints Milwich. See compass for details of events or ring Elaine on 01889-505414
Saturday 24th September
St Peter's Harvest Supper - Hixon Memorial Hall at 19.30 - more later
Sunday 25th September
St Peter's Harvest Festival - Including a special thanksgiving for the 20th anniversary of the luncheon club 09.30
This Sunday is also a Back to Church Sunday. Let me explain. If you used to go to church but for some reason, you stopped, why don't you go again, come as you are. You are very welcome in any church. Blessings N.

Women's world day of prayer

Chile
How many loaves have you?


This year, the service was held at Milwich. It was well attended, as parishioners came from the ten parishes in the team. 

Although superficially, with Chile’s rich list of natural resources things may appear to be flourishing, 80% of the wealth is owned by just 20% of the population, so there are many for whom life in Chile is a struggle. We enjoyed listening to 'The Song of Chile’.
The slides that were shown  illustrated some of the projects that are being run by Christian groups to empower women to be more independent and thereby take a greater control of their lives for the benefit of their families. A big thank to everyone who organised this lovely evening. 

Time to celebrate!

Last Sunday, the team service was at Sandon Church where we celebrated Geoffrey Smith's 50th anniversary as an ordained minister. 
The church was packed with brothers and sisters from his former parishes and all over the team who came specially. 

It was an emotional time for both Geoff and his wife Margaret and their family and for us. 
After the service as everybody stayed behind for a massive buffet organised by all the wardens, we had the opportunity to congratulate them and spend some special time chatting with them.

May the Lord continue to bless them abundantly and strengthen them. 
In Jesus-Christ we ask. Amen

Let's rejoice!

Some time ago, Mid-trent churches team celebrated the ordination of Jason (first photo, on the right)  in Stowe-by-Chartley. It was a time of reflection and joy. Here are a few snapshots I took after the service.

Team service

Tomorrow, at 10 am in Hixon church, we will celebrate Pentecost. Do come and praise the Lord. 
Have a blessed saturday!
Yours in Christ!

That's entertainment!

Last week-end, the evenings of entertainment gave an opportunity for all the Mid-trent Churches parishioners to do a talent show! 

Philip Daniel, Team Rector,  introducing the event.

Gareth Evans from Stowe. Such a wonderful interpretation.

Kool Kids from Milwich. Absolutely fabulous!

Diane Bradley from Sandon. It was a delightful performance.

Steven A. Wit with 'phil'...for those who enjoy playing with words!
At the interlude, a light supper, paté and buns were served.

Gill and Roger Titley from Weston. Absolutely hilarious!

Mary and her team from Milwich. An excellent show mixing wit and humour.

The 'Granna Mia' team from Hixon. Fun, light, amusing, relaxing...

Ian and Angela from Weston....The 'stage cleaners', or 'but there is a hole in my bucket'..wow. a superb interpretation!

Blessings to all.

Freedom of worshipping our Lord

The team service happened last Sunday! It was held in the lovely church of Weston and well attended by the other 9 churches of the Mid-Trent team and the methodist church !

On Saturday, the children prepared songs and a drama on the theme of freedom. Their performance was deeply refreshing and spontaneous.

I cherish the fact that in the U.K. we can still praise the  Lord publicly, gather with our brothers, sisters, elders and leaders for prayers, praise and communion. 

More photos, showing the two-hour preparation behind it all! :

We all had such an enjoyable  time thus strenghtening our fellowship. Praise the Lord, in Jesus name!Have a blessed week-end!