News items
As well as events below (and see also links on the left), do look in the Events page (not forgetting the Services above the events).
Interregnum - Benefice Vacancy and reorganisation
Earl Soham Village Hall Committee - new chairman and secretary
Earl Soham - Rota for Altar & Roll of Honour Flowers & Brasses
St Mary’s Ashfield - Flower & Cleaning Rota
See also letters from the ministry team.
Interregnum - Benefice Vacancy and reorganisation
As I’m sure you’re aware, our benefice is not only in interregnum (we have no priest) but is to be reorganised when the vacancy is filled. Our benefice currently consists of the parishes of Earl Soham, Cretingham and Ashfield-cum-Thorpe. The neighbouring benefice of the parishes of Charsfield with Debach, Monewden, Hoo, Dallinghoo and Letheringham is also in interregnum. Both benefices had half-stipend clergy; notionally half time posts, but the previous incumbents both worked much more than that.
The diocese is now aiming to provide one full-stipend clergy post for both existing benefices, and to combine the parishes into one large benefice. The post has been advertised, and there have been several applications. Candidates were interviewed on 24th February, and it is hoped to make an appointment soon.
Simon Garrett
Benefice Lent Course for 2007
“Can we build a better World.”
All are most welcome. Do consider joining this five session Lent Course, presented by York Course. Each session stands alone. We welcome this opportunity to invite people from Earl Soham, Ashfield, Cretingham, Charsfield and Debach, Monewden, Hoo, Letheringham and Dallinghoo.
Topics for study: Slavery; Friendship and Prayer; Change and Struggle; The Bible; Redemption and Restitution.
We are stimulated into thought and discussion with booklet and tape, listening to speakers e.g. Archbishop John Sentamu, Dr Leslie Griffiths, Wendy Craig: Dr David Hope and conclusion from five Poor Clares (from ‘The Convent’).
Beginning Date |
Monday 26th February |
Time |
7.30 – 9.15pm |
Venue |
Soham House, Brandeston, courtesy of Mary Vellacott |
Facilitators |
Wendy Gourlay (01728 685 335) and Mary Vellacott (01728 685 423) |
Resource Booklet |
‘Can we build a better world’ Available for purchase at the group. |
To assist with practical organisation, e.g. having booklets for everyone to purchase (£3.50) or whether you would like a lift, it would be helpful to let facilitators know please, if you would like to attend.
You might choose to reflect on your own at home, with the guidance of a course booklet:
York Courses, PO Box 343, Dept BW, York YO10 5YB
betterworld@yorkcourses.co.uk
01904 466516 www.yorkcourses.co.uk
Looking forward to seeing you.
Wendy Gourlay
Women’s World Day of Prayer
Friday 2nd March at 7:30p.m.
A joint service with the Baptist Church will be held in St. Mary’s Church. The theme of the service this year is based on life in Paraguay. The service will be led by the Rev. Gill Lee, whose son and daughter in law are working in Paraguay in mission work in schools and Gill has visited them there, so can bring first hand knowledge of life in that country, as well as the information we are given on the service sheet. Do join us for this time of worship and learning as we seek to share with others the good news of the love of Christ.
Mary Vellacott
The New Flying Stilton Club
Date changed: Friday 16th March, The Basement, Earl Soham Baptist Church, kicks off again at 8pm, doors open 7.30pm
Sorry, the date changed! We now have lined up two bands including Ed Sheeran, a mind¬reader/illusionist (ala Darren Brown), and other exciting attractions. It’s a sort of music thing, a bit like a club, more like a production, with local bands, cabaret, a cheesy game show, a magazine, some food and drink and it’s for 14-19. Starts at 8, finishes at 11. Check the web site for latest details at www.flyingstilton.co.uk (yes I know it needs updating – it should be soon). Don’t get put off by the stilton—it has nothing to do with it really, only some bizarre thing lost in the mists of time… Just come and find out!
Supported by the Local Network Fund
Contact details: 01728 724474
www.flyingstilton.co.uk, www.chrisnorth.co.uk, www.edsheeran.com
Tony Hutt
Ashfield Ladies Group
| 20th Mar |
Caring for Children with Cancer |
Karen Roberts |
| 17th April |
Amber |
Robin Fournel |
| 15th May |
Defuelling and Decommissioning of Sizewell A |
James Tott |
| 19th June |
AGM |
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| 17th July |
Tour of Read Hall, Mickfield |
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| 21st Aug |
Outing to a local hostelry |
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| 18th Sept |
tba |
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| 16th Oct |
The English Language Starts Here |
John Pulham |
| 20th Nov |
Bosy Shop at Home |
Louise Edwards |
11th Dec |
Christmas Meal |
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For further information contact Susan Hansen on 01728 685738.
Earl Soham WI
For our January meeting we had a fascinating talk with slides by Paul Sawer on “Local Wildlife”. Paul is a brilliant photographer and has wide knowledge of the wildlife in our area. In February we are to have Eric Punaks speaking on “Comic verse I wish I’d written” and in March Pat Fill will be talking to us on “Back to Basics”.
We meet at 7.30pm on the fourth Thursday in the month in the village hall. Visitors are most welcome. Further details from the secretary Brenda Reason on 01473 890115.
Anne Fraser
Earl Soham Village Hall Committee
New Chairman & Secretary
Both these positions are becoming available from the AGM on the 3rd April 2007 and two new volunteers are urgently required. If you would like to contribute to the Village and the running of the Village Hall please do not hesitate. Neither role is particularly demanding, needs no real previous experience and every help will be given by the Committee and existing Secretary and Chairman to ease you in.
So do not delay – Apply TODAY
by calling Daphne Dale on 685608, Peter Andrews on 685638 or please speak to any member of the Committee to find out more.
Electoral Roll 2007
St Luke’s gospel tells us how Emperor Augustus called a census of the Roman world. On a slightly smaller scale, the 2007 Electoral Roll is on us. All church members are asked to register as a sign of your practical support of the work of the Church of England in Suffolk.
If you are 16 or over, live in any of our three parishes, or worship in any of the churches of our benefice, you are entitled to be on that Church’s Electoral Roll.
A new Electoral Roll is being collated this year by every parish in the country. Even if you are on the existing Roll, you will have to apply to be on the new one.
Electoral Roll numbers are a visible expression of the strength of the Church and are a very important Church record. If you would like to be on the Roll, please contact your PCC Secretary or PCC Electoral Roll Officer for an application form.
Mavis Kerridge- Earl Soham Electoral Roll Officer
Passover Meal
A Jewish family celebration from the time of their miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt (1446BC) and a foreshadowing of the deliverance that Christ’s death and resurrection brought.
No knowledge of Hebrew required!
Thursday 5th April, 7pm at Earl Soham Baptist Church
Tickets from Bernie and Julia Rose 01728 861243 or julia@jrose.fsnet.co.uk
Earl Soham Easter Stalls
In aid of St. Mary’s Church
Saturday 7th April in Earl Soham Village Hall, 10.00 a.m. ‘til 2.00 p.m.
Cakes, White Elephant, Plants etc.
Val Brumfitt
East Anglian Academy
Sunday 11th March 3 pm
St Michael’s Church, Framlingham
Inspirations & Influences
Bach | Buxtehude | Purcell | Britten
Claire Gower – soprano
Jon Hutchings – organ
Admission Free - collection
Full season’s program and details of how to book: see here.
Thank You…
May we thank sincerely Wendy & Co. for organising the service on January 7th at Ashfield. Our thanks also to those that attended and contributed to what was a very special occasion
John & Margaret Garrard
(For those of you who do not know – it was John’s baptism)
And...
The parishioners of Letheringham would like to thank all those who attended the joint service on 4th February. It was lovely to see so many and we hope you will come again to support our little church.
Roger and Sylvia Keene
Cretingham 100 Club
The seventy first draw took place at the Post Office on Saturday 3rd February.
Congratulations to:
- David Egan - £25
- Amanda Egan - £15
- Patricia Lettin - £10
The seventy-second draw will take place at the Post Office on Saturday 3rd March.
The March draw will be the last of the draws in the current year of the 100 Club. If you are a member of the present 100 Club, you will have received a renewal notice from me. Please complete and return this as soon as possible.
If you are interested in becoming a new member of the 100 Club, there are usually a few tickets available and you would be very welcome to join. Please let me know as quickly as possible if you wish to join and I shall allot spare tickets on a first come first served basis!
Peter Markland (685796)
Earl Soham - Rota for Altar & Roll of Honour Flowers & Brasses
February |
Mrs V Brumfitt |
685408 |
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March/April |
Mrs N Cotton |
685240 |
Mrs M Kerridge |
685700 |
If you are unable to do your flowers, please contact Margaret Buckland on 685329.
St Mary’s Ashfield - Flower & Cleaning Rota
| February |
Susan Hansen |
685738 |
March |
Jane Davidson |
685332 |
April |
Alison Garrett |
685489 |
If you are unable to do your month please contact another person on the list to arrange a swap.