Harvest supper at Milwich, Staffs

Here are a few photos of a great evening spent at Milwich village hall for the harvest supper. The four course dinner was amazing, a choice of vegetarian or meat lasagne with peas and new potatoes, cakes, cheese, coffee or tea, Then the auction followed. Bouquets and pots of beautiful flowers, home-grown vegetables and fruits were auctioned for the great pleasure of the community. Another beautiful event filled with love, fun and fellowship between friends and newcomers in the village!

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

Time is like a river!

Time is like a river!
        
You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has
passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of life.

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs.
Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a
graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends,
so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Nova Scotia
back country. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost
and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.
    
I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had
evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.
I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went
to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was
already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to
play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around.
I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and
friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless
man. And as I played Amazing Grace, the workers began to weep.
    
They wept, I wept, we all wept together.
        
When I finished, I packed up my bagpipes and started for my
car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.
    
As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say,
"I never seen nothing like that before, and I've been putting in
septic tanks for twenty years."
    
Apparently I'm still lost …. it's a man thing.

E-mailed to SJAbram from S.Hodson, photo, courtesy of SJAbram

True joy at Christmas in Mid-trent Churches

Sunday 16th December
All Saints, Sandon - Carol Service 11.15.am
St. James the Less, Fradswell - Christingle and Carols followed by sherry and mince pies starting at 2.30.pmSt. James the Great, Salt - Carol Service at 4.00.pmAll Saints, Milwich - The Village Nativity. The congregation goes around the village starting at 4.00.pm in Church
St. John the Baptist, Stowe - Candlelit Carol Service at 6.00.pmSt. Rufin, Burston - Carol Service 6.30.pm followed by Mulled wine and mince pies
Monday 17th December
St Andrew's, Weston & Weston Methodists - Carols in the Woolpack 8.00.pm
Friday 21st December
St Andrew's, Weston -  Ingestre Singers Christmas Concert at 7.30.pm Tickets £5 pre book - 01889 200002 / 270594
Sunday 23rd December
St Peter's, Gayton - Team Carols Service and Communion 10.00

St Peter's, Hixon - Carols at the Inn at 7.00.pm where the 'Inn' is the Bank House
Monday 24th December - Christmas Eve
All Saints, Sandon -  Christingle at 4.00.pm.
All Saint's, Milwich - Crib Service 4.00.pmSt. Peter's, Hixon - Christingle 5.00.pm
St. Andrew's, Weston - Christingle Service 6.00.pmSt. James the Less, Fradswell - Christmas Communion 8.00.pm
St. Peter's, Hixon - Midnight Communion 11.30.pmAll Saints, Milwich - Midnight Communion 11.30.pm
St. James the Great, Salt - Midnight Communion 11.30.pmAll Saints, Sandon - Midnight Communion 11.30.pm
Tuesday 25th December - Christmas Day
St. Rufin, Burston - Christmas Communion 9.30.am
St. Peter's, Hopton - Christmas Communion 9.30.amSt. Andrew's, Weston - Christmas Communion 11.15.am
St. Peter's, Gayton - Christmas Communion 11.15.am
St John the Baptist, Stowe - Christmas Communion at 11.15.amSunday 30th December
All Saints, Milwich - Team Service at 10.00.am

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. 

Millie's baptism!

 At times, I think that photos speak louder than words. Don't you agree?

Millie was such a good baby for her christening.
Here she is totally relaxed with minister Jeff Reynolds who appears to be totally in tune!

 Oh dear, what is happening? Millie is looking very puzzled! However mum Sharon is not phased!

Paul, Sharon and Millie

Hang on mum and dad! Let me read that too!

 After the baptism that took place in Milwich, we all went to the village hall for a pink balloon party!

 What's grand-dad doing?


We had a fantastic time.

Millie, may the Lord keep on blessing you, your siblings, your parents, your family and friends. In Jesus-Christ. Amen