Notes from around the Parishes, May 2017

For Great Massingham, Little Massingham & Harpley

The Reverend Jane Holmes writes.Who does the Church belong to?
We have recently been successful in our bid for Heritage Lottery Grant Funding for
urgent repair works to one of our church buildings. (Congratulations East Walton!)
One of the questions on the HLF application form is: Who owns the building? We
didnt actually have to answer this as for churches its N/A - not applicable!
So who does the Church belong to? Well, that is an interesting question.
The Church (meaning a body of people who meet together regularly) belongs to
those who are part of it. The Church is a family or a fellowship. However its not
true to say the Church belongs only to those who use it because the Church belongs
to the communities in which they are set.
In essence, your parish church belongs to you, in a very special way.
The Church of England offers services not only regular services (of all styles)
every week throughout the year but also for special occasions and those most
important moments in our lives. The Church has been here for everyone for
generations and has baptised, married and buried parishioners; being available not
just to those who regularly worship at church on a Sunday, but all parishioners.
There are also important celebrations at special times of the year that many people
from our parishes enjoy Easter, Christmas and Remembrance Sunday to name just
a few.
And its not just about church services, the Church can and does offer much more.
The Church is there for its community to offer support to everyone within the
geographical parish and the Rector or Vicar is available to everyone. The Church is
also a very special place where anyone can come to find a few moments of peace,
solitude and solace.
Its also good to remember just how much contact churches have in their
communities: Our work in schools is just one of the ways that church
meets community and shows our face to the world. We live in a time when, sadly,
many people are turning away from the Church. I think it is so important that our
younger generation grow up with the knowledge that the Church is here for them
and always will be at any time in their lives should they wish to turn to it for
friendship or support.
The Church has, and will continue to, provided a place for everyone - young, old
and in between and we look forward to serving you for a long time to come. After
all what is the Church here for?
Only a couple of weeks ago we celebrated Easter. I have in my mind a picture of
that man, Jesus, who hangs on a cross with arms outstretched, symbol of the love
God has for all humankind, and a constant reminder to me that the Church, and
particularly your Parish Church, is not just for the chosen few but for all of you out
there!
Who does the Church belong to? It belongs to you because you belong.
 SERVICES Across the Group for MAY 2017

Weds, May 3rd ~ 9am Holy Communion at St Lawrences, Harpley

Sunday, May 7th ~ The Fourth Sunday of Easter

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 St Lawrences, Harpley

Monday, 8th May ~ Mother Julian of Norwich is remembered. She wrote

Revelations of Divine Love shortly after she experienced sixteen revelations on
May 8th 1373 when she was about 30. Following this, she lived the rest of her life as
an anchorite in a small cell attached to the church of St Julian & St Edward (part of the
Benedictine Community in Carrow), until she died aged about 80. The cell is off Rouen
Road, in Norwich; it has been enlarged and made into a chapel. The Julian Centre
welcomes visitors and pilgrims from all over the world.
Sunday, May 14th ~ The Fifth Sunday of Easter Christian aid week begins
1030 Group Holy Communion St Nicholas, Gayton
4pm The Gap Pott Row Methodist Chapel
Weds, May 17th ~ 9am Holy Communion at St Botolphs, Grimston
Sunday, May 21st ~ Rogation Sunday/ The Sixth Sunday of Easter
0930 Holy Communion St Andrews, Little Massingham
1100 Family Service St Marys, Great Mass
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

Thursday, May 25th ~ A service of meditation and reflection for Ascension Day
7pm at All Saints, Ashwicken

Sunday, May 28th ~ The Seventh Sunday of Easter

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, June 4th ~ Pentecost (Whitsun)
0930 Family Service St Lawrences, Harpley
1100 Holy Communion St Marys, Great Mass
0830 Holy Communion All Saints, Ashwicken
1030 Holy Communion St Botolphs, Grimston
1030 Morning Praise St Nicholas, Gayton
3pm Prayer Meeting St Andrews, Congham

Our Ministry Team:

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.

From the Registers ~

Infant Baptisms held on 2nd April

at St Andrews, Lt Mass: Olivia Rose Eva Oldershaw
at St Lawrences, Harpley: Oliver Michael Pitcher

On Easter Sunday, 16th April, a service of Holy Communion

with Baptism was held at St Andrews, Lt Massingham to
welcome John Arthur Gluckstad into the family of the Church.

RIP ~ Sylvia Allen

Sylvia, of Harpley, who died in early April after a short illness, will be greatly missed.
She was a valued member of the flower arranging team and always
supported events at St Lawrences. In particular we were grateful for
her help at recent Arts & Crafts Festivals when she displayed her talents
in needlework. Sylvias enthusiasm for her hobby shone through as she
talked to the visitors especially when the school came to visit and she helped the children
have a go. Her funeral was held at Mintlyn on 20th April.
Condolences go to all Sylvias family who are in our prayers at this difficult time.

Please send items for inclusion in the June issue of the Parish Notes to the editor by
17th May~ Rosemary Mehers rosemarymehers@hotmail.com
2 Old Post Office Court, Harpley. PE31 6GW; or Tel: 01485 521866
Harpley Soup Group Lent Lunches: ~
Raising funds to provide a car for Hospice Ethiopia
A total of 543.10 was donated over the 6 weeks of
Lent by those attending the soup lunches. A further
135.78 in Gift Aid will be added to this which means
that the Bishops Lenten Appeal will benefit by 678.88. Thank you to
all those who prepared soup and hosted, and to all who
came along and soupported.

Afternoon Teas ~ Every Wednesday from 3pm

in St Marys Church, Great Massingham.

Bank Holiday Monday 1st May: The 8th Archdeacons Charge will take place
at Wolterton Hall near Aylsham. Run or walk up to 10 miles then relax and picnic.
Funds raised are split between the East Anglian Air Ambulance and your nominated
church.

Grimston, Saturday, 6th May ~ 7:30pm in St Botolphs;

to repair the organ: Kings Lynn Male Voice Choir & Brass Band.
Tickets 10 (concession 8) From PCC or at the door or call 07837 331023

Norwich Cathedral, Monday 8th May at 6:30pm

Faith, Hope and Justice in a Broken World.
Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop, and now Chairman of
Christian Aid will speak about justice from a theological viewpoint.
Free to attend donations to Christian Aid.

Sunday, 14th May ~ 6pm in Swaffham Parish Church

Coro Stellante ladies choir: a mixed programme of seasonal music.
Tickets 10 tickets@corostellante.org.uk , at the door or call 01553 810116

Massingham & District Trefoil Guild.

Come along to our Coffee Evening on Thursday 11th May.
at 7pm in Gt Massingham Village Hall; admission 1.50
Games, Raffle, Tombola, Cake stall, Bric-a-Brac
The Trefoil Guild meets on the second Thursday of the month in Massingham Village
Hall from 7-9pm. For anyone over 18 the Trefoil Guild offers the chance to meet with
others for friendship, fun, interesting talks and outings.
Members help Girlguiding UK and other Charities.

Messy Church ~ Jubilee Hall Gayton, from 3.30pm; Thurs 25th May