Notes from around the Parishes, July 2017

For Great Massingham, Little Massingham & Harpley

Religion and Politics dont mix!

So some would say. Are they right?
Politics and religion are both important topics more important than most topics
in our lives much more important than sport and even the good old British
weather! However, they can both be controversial and generate different beliefs and
feelings and so they are sensitive topics to talk about. Its said that to bring up
either in a crowded room will create an argument bring up both together and
theres likely to be a brawl!
It could be said that religion deals with eternal things, spiritual things, things not
of this world whereas politics is very much in the world dealing with the stuff of
government, law and order, pot holes in the road, taxes, welfare, safety and
protection. So on the face of it they dont appear to have anything to do with each
other.
Jesus told his disciples (us) we are to be in the world yet not of the world.
~ Complicated?
I often use stories or symbols when I am explaining matters of faith to people. Being
in the world yet not of the world can be demonstrated using water coloured with
a little food colouring (representing the people of God) and oil (representing the
world). Pour both into a jar and they will always separate out, but shake it up a bit
and they mix wonderfully well! Left to stand the oil and water will naturally
separate out again but the oil takes on colour from the water showing that when we
go out and mix in the world we are to have an effect on it. Being a Christian in the
world by sharing Gods love and goodness with the world is the way we can all help
bring a little colour and beauty to it.
The church is in the world. It may not be of the world but it is definitely in this world.
And this world is a political world. Christians are both religious and political people.
We believe, teach and confess things about God and we participate in the world of
government and politics.
Some may still say politics and religion dont mix but, faith, I hope, influences every area
of my life otherwise its less important than my hobbies or indeed the weather and
that surely would be an insult to God. Archbishop Welby reminded all Christians
before the General Election that Religious belief is the well-spring for the virtues and practices
that make for good individuals, strong relationships and flourishing communities The Christian
virtues of love, trust, justice and hope should guide our actions, as well as the actions and policies of all
those who seek to lead our country.
The world in which we live is complicated and there are no simple religious answers to
the problems we, as individuals, or the world faces but as the Archbishop of Canterbury
reminded us we all have a duty to play our part.
With love, Revd Jane
 SERVICES Across the Group for JULY 2017

Sunday, July 2nd ~ The Third Sunday after Trinity

0930 Family Service St Lawrences, Harpley
1100 Holy Communion St Marys, Great Mass
0830 Holy Communion St Marys, East Walton
1030 Holy Communion St Botolphs, Grimston
1030 Morning Praise St Nicholas, Gayton
3pm Prayer Meeting All Saints, Ashwicken
Weds, July 5th ~ 9am Holy Communion at St Lawrences, Harpley
~ 2pm School Leavers Service at St Marys, Gt Massingham
Friday, July 7th ~ 2pm School Leavers Service at St Lawrences, Harpley

Sunday, July 9th ~ Trinity 4

1030 Group Holy Communion St Botolphs, Grimston
4pm The Gap Pott Row Methodist Chapel

Sunday, July 16th ~ Trinity 5

0930 Holy Communion St Andrews, Little Massingham
1100 Family Service St Marys, Great Massingham
1115 Sung Holy Communion St Lawrences, Harpley
0830 Holy Communion All Saints, Roydon
1030 Holy Communion St Nicholas, Gayton
1030 Morning Praise St Botolphs, Grimston
6pm Songs of Praise All Saints, Roydon

Weds, July 19th ~ 9am Holy Communion at St Botolphs, Grimston

Sunday, July 23rd ~ Trinity 6

1100 Holy Communion St Marys, Great Massingham
0830 Holy Communion St Andrews, Congham
1030 Family Service St Botolphs, Grimston
3pm Celtic Service St Marys, Gayton Thorpe
Sunday, July 30th ~ Trinity 7 (Fifth Sunday of the month)
0830 Holy Communion St Marys, East Walton
1030 Holy Communion St Andrews, Little Massingham
1030 Prayer & Praise St Marys, Great Massingham
Weds, August 2nd ~ 9am Holy Communion at St Lawrences, Harpley

Sunday, August 6th ~ Trinity 8

0930 Family Service St Lawrences, Harpley
1100 Holy Communion St Marys, Great Massingham
0830 Holy Communion All Saints, Ashwicken
1030 Holy Communion St Botolphs, Grimston
1030 Morning Praise St Nicholas, Gayton
3pm Prayer Meeting All Saints, Roydon

Our Ministry Team:

Team Rector: Team Vicar:
Revd Jane Holmes, Revd Judith Pollard,
The Rectory, Gayton The Rectory, Grimston
01553 636227 01485 601251
To arrange Baptisms, Marriages, or Funerals please contact the Revd Judith in the first
instance (her day off is Friday). If she is unavailable, the Revd Jane is happy to help
with urgent matters.
Confirmation ~
On Sunday 18th June we welcomed, the Rt Revd
Jonathan Meyrick, Bishop of Lynn, to the Parish
Church of St Lawrence, Harpley.
James Henry Bellingham of St Andrews, Congham,
and
John Arthur Gluckstad of St Andrews, Lt Mass
were confirmed and the Bishop presided over our
Sung Eucharist.
In this joyful service, choir and congregation sang
with gusto and the Bishop even sang in his sermon!

At the end of the service the newly confirmed were given special candles lit
from the Easter candle; and after the candles came the cake!

At Church meetings held in April, Steven Hudson, Adrian Lofts, Lucy Brown & Jean
Pocklington were re-elected as Churchwardens of St. Marys , Gt Massingham and
St Lawrences , Harpley, respectively; please feel free to contact them if you wish to
know more about your local church. See also www.ggmbenefice.uk
Our clergy and representatives of all ten Group Churches gather regularly for a Group
Meeting to discuss common concerns. The next one will be later this month and one
topic will be the pattern of services; if you have any comments please feel free to contact
any Churchwarden to pass them on.
 HC4U Childrens Holiday Club HC4U
Mon 31st Jul, Tues 1st, & Weds 2nd August
Activities and Fun in Gt Massingham Village Hall;
10am -12noon; FREE!
More details from Revd Judith 01485 601251

Afternoon Teas ~ Every Wednesday from 3pm

in St Marys Church, Great Massingham.

Music in Country Churches ~ 25th and 26th July

Three high quality concerts will be held in St Marys, Great Massingham.
Tues 25th July @ 7:30pm English Chamber Orchestra
Weds 26th Jul @ 11am Harpsichord Duet
evening @ 7:30pm kampa String Quartet
Tickets from the box office: 01485 535071 (Mon to Fri 9:30am to 4:30pm)
Further info from: musicincountrychurches.com

Out and About - Summer Fun

Harpley Village Hall

Fun Day
At Harpley Village Hall on Sunday 9th July from 1pm
Hog Roast ~ Live Music ~ Games ~ Stalls ~ Refreshments (inc Bar)

Roydons "Bit of a Do" Congham Fte

Roydon Church with Snail Racing.
Saturday 8th July Saturday 15th July
1pm - 4pm from 2pm till 5pm
with the return of the Dog Show

. Messy Church St Nicholas Church, Gayton, from 3.30pm;

Thurs 13th July Summer Picnic
Arrive between 3.30pm and 4pm for a 4pm start. (Finish around 5.30pm.)
To find out more contact Revd. Jane 01553 636227

Please send items for inclusion in the August issue of the Parish Notes to the editor by
17th July~ Rosemary Mehers rosemarymehers@hotmail.com
2 Old Post Office Court, Harpley. PE31 6GW; or Tel: 01485 521866