November 2017Priest in Charge:The Revd Mary-Lou Toop01743 851375

Assistant Priest:Canon Robert Parsons01939 291494

Curate:The Revd Hannah Lins 07736 012011 Website: www.severnloopparishes.org.uk

Lay Pastoral Minister Keep in the loop with what’sMrs Joyce Jagger happening in your churches.01743 236517

Remembering . . . with loveA service when we remember those we love but see no longer is to be held at 3.00 pm on Sunday 5th November at Leaton Church. Look in all our churches for a paper on which you can add the names of any you would like mentioned at that service.

Books, Records and CDsThank you to all who brought out these things for Oxfam. It is estimated that a little over £2,500 will be raised by their sale. Good news for some of the most needy people in the world. Thank you all, and thank you Diana for organising it.

Prayer ShawlsIf anyone needs a knitting project, we could do with a few more prayer shawls. Ask Mary-Lou (01743 851375) or Joyce Jagger (01743 2365170) for details.

ConfirmationPlease pray for the group of young people in our Bicton Confirmation Group, as they come to their confirmation on 26 November at Baschurch: Eva, Harry, Violet, Rosa, Dan, Eleanor and Sarocha.

Children’s WorkshopsThese are planned for Saturday 2nd December at Bomere Heath and Saturday 9th December at Bicton.  We’d be grateful if people could collect small milk containers (with handles) that we can turn into Christmas lanterns! Please bring them to any of our churches to give to one of the clergy.

Autumn BookA good read: “'Does the Bible Really Say That? Challenging our assumptions in the light of Scripture” by Mark Woods, published by Monarch Books. Look for the date when we discuss it. Ask for help to get a copy if necessary.

Bishop MichaelThe Bishop of Lichfield is getting round the diocese! He comes to visit Shrewsbury Deanery on Thursday 9th November, finishing with the Deanery Synod at 7.30 pm at Bayston Hill. Anyone can come.

A Reason for HopeSaturday 18th November is the date for a big day for Shropshire Christians. It is organised by the Bishops of Shrewsbury and Ludlow, and takes place at Meole Brace Trinity Centre. Arrival is from 9.30 am, and it ends at 3.15 pm. There’s an inspiring speaker, Michael Lloyd, Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and various workshops to do with confidence about our faith.

Look in your churches for leaflets and booking details. If you book before the end of October it is £8.00. In November it is £10.00.

Bicton Coffee MorningThis month the Coffee Morning is at the church on Thursday 9th November. Come from 10.30 am.

The Filling StationOn Tuesday 21st November, 7.30 pm at Knockin Assembly Rooms, The speaker is The Revd Matthew Lefroy, Vicar of Muxton and Lilleshall, and a key member of the diocesan cricket team. Tea, coffee and cake before the start.

Men’s BreakfastThe next breakfast is on Saturday 25th November at 8.30 am at the Four Crosses at Bicton. David Jagger BVSC, MRCVS speaks on “A Roller Coaster of Veterinary Life”. Book your place with Robin Oake on 01743 850421. The cost is £8.00.

Loop The Severn Loop

Parishes Albrighton Bicton Fitz

Leaton Montford Shrawardine

Stepping Out CaféIn Bomere Heath Mission Church on Wednesday 29th November. We start at 2.30 pm and go on till around 4.00 pm. A great time to gather for free tea and cake in good company.

Quiet DayA Date for your Diary in Lent next year!   Tuesday 20th March at St Chad’s, Boningale, near M54 Junction 3. The theme is The Power of the Cross.  Please keep the date free!  More details after Christmas.

Food BankOur local Food Bank is anticipating a serious rise in the need for their help, both with Christmas coming up and the likely introduction of Universal Credit.  They also saw a big increase in demand during the summer holidays, when children usually in school are not being fed there and this is likely to happen again in the Christmas holiday.  So please consider whether you might be able to add some extra support for the Food Bank as part of your shopping through November.  Some Christmassy treats would be lovely to add, in addition to the basics that people need.  Perhaps we can see this as part of our Advent preparation, although the Food Bank will need to have our gifts before Advent actually begins in December if we can.  A number of our churches already give to the Food Bank on a weekly basis – if your own church is not one of these, please just let us know you have a contribution for them and we can make sure it gets to the right place!

Oberammergau 2020The world-renowned Oberammergau Passion Play is due to be performed next in 2020 and we wonder whether there may be interest in a Severn Loop trip to Austria to see it?  Mr Alan Viner, organist at Leaton, is a very experienced tour leader and has been exploring the possibilities.  If you are interested in finding out more, there will be a gathering at the Mission Church, Bomere Heath on Tuesday 21st November at 7.30 pm.  Alan will give us more detail about the tour and we will have the opportunity to ask questions.  Tickets for the play sell out very fast and tours are already being advertised, so we need to know fairly soon if there is enough interest for us to think about going ahead.  We are looking at 7 nights, half-board, travelling by train, to include tickets for the play and coach travel when needed.  The potential cost of the Oberammergau tour would probably be just under £2000. If you are interested and will be coming to the information evening, please sign up on the sheets in your home church to give us a good idea whether to go ahead with the meeting.

Christmas Coffee MorningBeam House, Little Ensdon by kind invitation of the Holbrook family.

Saturday 2nd December 10.30 am to 12.30 pm.Stalls including Christmas produce and preserves, China, Bags,

Bring and Buy, Aroma coffee and more.  Christmas raffle.£3.00 includes coffee and mince pies or festive biscuits.Proceeds in aid of Montford and Shrawardine Churches.

Reformation DayDon’t forget Ecumenical Vespers in Shrewsbury Roman Catholic Cathedral on Tuesday 31st October at 7.00 pm.

Pray for the LoopThe next prayer meeting is on Tuesday 14th November at 7.30 pm in Malcolm Dawson’s home, 26 Woodcrest, Bicton Heath SY3 5EX.

“Blue Christmas”On Sunday 10th December at 3.00 pm the Mission Church in Bomere Heath is the setting for a quiet preparation for Christmas.

Sunday Services Readings5th November - All Saints - 4th Sunday before AdventAlbrighton 9.15 am Holy Communion 1 John 3.1-3Bicton 11.00 am Holy Communion Matthew 5.1-12Bomere Heath 9.00 am Morning PrayerFitz 9.30 am Holy Communion Leaton 10.45 am Holy Communion

3.00 pm Remembering . . . with loveMontford 11.00 am Morning PrayerShrawardine 9.30 am Matins

12th November - 3rd Sunday before Advent - Remembrance SundayBicton 10.45 am Service of Remembrance Micah 4.1-5Bomere Heath 9.00 am Holy Communion Romans 8.31-endFitz 10.45 am Service of Remembrance (Matthew 25.1-13)Leaton 10.45 am Service of Remembrance Montford 9.30 am Holy CommunionShrawardine 10.50 am Holy Communion

19th November – 2nd Sunday before AdventAlbrighton 9.15 am Morning Worship 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11Bicton 11.00 am Holy Communion Matthew 25.14-30Bomere Heath 9.00 am Morning PrayerFitz 9.30 am Holy CommunionLeaton 10.45 am Holy CommunionMontford 11.00 am Morning PrayerShrawardine 9.30 am Family Service

28th November – Christ The King - The Sunday next before Advent Bicton 11.00 am Morning Prayer Hebrews 12.18-24Bomere Heath 9.00 am Holy Communion Matthew 21.12-16Leaton 10.45 am Family ServiceMontford 9.30 am Holy CommunionShrawardine 11.00 am Holy Communion

The Real Advent Calendar is a fun way for parents, grandparents and godparents to share the Christmas story. The calendar comes with a free 24-page Christmas story activity book designed to be used every day in Advent. This year, the book is illustrated by award winning artist, Alida Massari.

Behind each of the 25 windows there is a line from the Christmas story with a high quality colour picture.

25 Festive Fairtrade chocolates made from our improved Fairtrade blend-35% cocoa. Made, designed and produced in the UK.

The Real Advent Calendar is designed to share and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas so that Christ is not written out of Christmas.

Get yours for £4.00 from Robert. Limited numbers - first come, first served.

AConcertof Musicfor Christmas

Thursday 7th Decemberat 8.00 pm

Leaton ChurchTicket £5.00 includes refreshmentsfrom Pat Hall (01939 290637) or choir members or online: www.phoenixsingersshrewsbury.co.uk

Children free

Conductor: Richard Walkerwith Sarah Boutwood - Organ

Come and enjoy

seasonal music

Liz Babbs presentsComedy, Cake and

CarolsNorth Shropshireand Borders.

Tuesday 5th December 2017 at 7.30 pm

Knockin Assembly RoomsCakes, mince pies, hot mulled punch

All welcome. Free of charge(donations towards costs received with thanks)