Church Newsletter

If you wish to contact Rev Jane by e-mail, her address is revj.close@btinternet.com

From The Reader
After the wet and windy weather in England during July and August, the warm, dry days of September have come as a pleasant change – I hope you have all been able to enjoy them. The farmers have been able to take advantage and most of the cereal harvest has been safely gathered. Indeed much of the land has been ploughed ready for next year and I have even seen some green shoots from next year’s seed. The autumn colours are already evident and promise to become spectacular in the next few weeks. Everywhere in the countryside we see the glory of God’s handiwork and have the opportunity to reflect on what a privilege it is to live in such beautiful surroundings.

But after autumn comes winter and I am already being told to fill my oil tank, to book early for Christmas and not to forget next year’s holidays. In our materialistic society we are constantly urged to plan ahead to acquire or enjoy more and to prepare for possible hardship ahead. Jesus was in favour of preparation too – he commended the wise virgins for having trimmed their lamps in good time to meet the bridegroom; and even the unjust steward (who reduced the recorded liabilities of his master’s debtors) for his shrewdness in making plans for survival after his dismissal. However, Jesus did not see the primary value of wealth as to benefit our selves, but rather to share it with others. The challenge to those of us living comfortably in a beautiful area is surely to share the benefits with those less fortunate, here and elsewhere.

Sharing in this way provides an access route for God to enter. As the days close in, the many appeals will provide an opportunity for us to be generous. But time and talents are just as important as money – in our midst we have the bereaved, the sick and the lonely. While we still have time, let us make the most of our opportunities. The image of the cross of Jesus has many manifestations, but that of I crossed out is perhaps not a bad place to start.

Alec Parker

Church Services

Grandborough

Hockley Close
With the redevelopment of the Council houses in Hockley Close progressing well, now is a good time for families in Grandborough, in need of Council homes, to apply to the Council should there be any surplus vacancies arising when people have moved back to their homes. For a housing application form please telephone the Council on 01788 533533.

WI
Grandborough W.I. will be hearing from Deborah Brady on 21st October at the village hall about the tabloid tales of a female photo journalist in Fleet Street. Visitors welcome at 7.30pm.
The Grandborough W.I. AGM will be held on 18th November in the village hall at 7.30pm. Come along and find out what we do!

Harvest – Thank You
The Grandborough Harvest service was held instead of the WTW.com service and raised £320 from their Harvest Supper. The money raised was donated to the fund for toilets in the church and Harvest gifts were given to Hope 4 the Rugby charity for the homeless. Many thanks to Charmaine for organising a great evening.

Flecknoe

Harvest – Thank You
Flecknoe raised £266.30 at their Auction held after the Harvest service and supper. Thanks to Clare and Sara who coordinated the food arrangements, cooking much of it themselves, but thanks also to those who brought puddings and helped to clear the hall afterwards. Thanks also to David for auctioning the produce with such enthusiasm, raising a very creditable sum for Myton Hospice.

Leamington Hastings

Half Term Holiday Club
We are hoping to offer a holiday club this half term for 3-11 year olds. We are planning to be open from Monday 26th October to Friday 30th October from 8.00am-6.00pm should there be sufficient demand. We will be offering a wide range of activities including a fitness day, cooking, arts and crafts. The fees will be £12 per half day (8.00-1.00pm or 1.00pm-6pm).  £20 for a full day or £80 if a full week is booked. For further details telephone Mrs Smalley or Mrs Andrews at school on 01926 632359.

Healing Service
The Healing Services will be on Tuesday, 20th October and 17th November at 7.30pm in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Broadwell.  All welcome.

All Souls Service
A Memorial service in which we remember and give thanks for those we love who have died either recently or a while ago and to reflect on God’s love for them and us will be held at Leamington Hastings Church, on Sunday 1st November at 4.30pm. All welcome.

Leamington Hastings Health Club
Organised by AGE CONCERN WARWICKSHIRE, Christine Slassor, our Instructor, offers low impact exercise to music for men and women over 50. The Autumn session has just started so do come along and join in the fun! The classes are held in the Parish Hall, Hill on Monday afternoons from 2pm – 3pm and Thursday mornings from 9.15am – 10.15am. For further information contact Ann Coulson (Ageing Well Volunteer) on 01926 633264.

Willoughby

Harvest – thank You
Willoughby’s Auction after their Harvest Service and Bring and Share lunch raised £95 which was split between the charity ‘Cord’ and the ‘Remembrance Garden Fund’

Fashion Show
Our grateful thanks to Audrey and Beryl who held a Fashion Show and Clothes sale on 16th September to raise funds for Willoughby Church.  The grand sum of £635 was raised – and thanks also to the superb models!

Church and garden Clear-Up!
If you have any spare time, please help us do a Clear-Up on Saturday, 24th October. Look forward to seeing you there armed with tools and gardening gloves. Details from: Mike Thomas 01788 891338.

Willoughby Thursday Club
Our Club meeting on Thursday October 8th in the Village Hall is a social afternoon and to add a little extra enjoyment we will be joined by Liz Perryman who will bring along a variety of foods for us to taste.
Our pub lunch on October 15th will be at the Arnold Restaurant, which is always a popular venue so do get your name down early. Either fill in the signup sheet at the meeting or ring Norman Oates on 890623. November 12th sees the welcome return of Sue Chawner to our meeting. She will lead a workshop on making Dream Catchers.
November’s pub lunch on the 19th is at the Bell at Hillmorton .
November 26th sees us going to Milton Keynes once again to enjoy a little shopping and the Christmas decorations. There will be signup sheets for these events available at the meetings or you can contact Norman on the above number.
We will be selling various chutneys on our stall at the Christmas fete in November and have decided to standardise the jars. We have bought a supply of suitable jars so please collect some at the club meeting (or phone Betty Oates on 890623) if you wish to make chutney. Our Christmas lunch this year will be at The George, Kilsby on 10th December.

Jumble sale
The Jumble Sale organised by Audrey and Beryl at Willoughby raised £179 and was split between Church and village hall. Well done!

Christingle Service
On Saturday, 5th December, we will be holding a Christingle Service. We hope you will join us for this joyful and moving service at St Nicholas’ Church, Willoughby at 5.30pm - Shine a light in the darkness for children this Christmas.

Willoughby Society
On 28th October at 7.30, we welcome back, after his knowledgeable, informative and amusing anecdotes given in March 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Lesinski who this time, will be talking to us on Ceremonial Soldiering Part II. Definitely an evening not to be missed.
Our AGM will be held on 25th November. If you have never been to a Willoughby Society meeting and wish to find out more, please come along tonight to hear of both last and next years activities and plans. You may be surprised to hear of what we do and you will be made very welcome.

WI
The October meeting is on Thursday, 15th at 7.30pm in the village hall. Lyn Busby will be demonstrating “the Art of Iris Folding”. Everyone will be able to make a Christmas Card. Materials will be provided by Lyn at an approximate cost of £2.50 – but please bring sellotape and small scissors. Hopefully you should go home with an attractive card for someone special. Competition: the Best Card Made.
The November meeting on the 19th at 7.30pm in the village hall is our annual AGM followed by a Ploughman’s Supper and a glass of wine. Competition: A photograph of somewhere in Warwickshire.

MISSION MATTERS!
Do you care about God’s mission to our communities?   Then you’ll be pleased to hear about the following:

Healing on the Streets of Rugby - 
Training conference: 7.30pm – 10pm on Friday 30th October, and 9am-3pm on Saturday 31st October, at St Matthews Church, Rugby. Cost £10.  Then every Saturday morning a trained team will be in the town centre offering prayer for people to experience Jesus healing them. 
For further information contact Lucy Littlewood on 01788 842711.

Street Pastors –
Making a positive difference in the lives of young people. The Church in action on the streets.
Would you like to engage with people who are on the streets of Rugby late at night, to care, listen and dialogue? You need to be over 18, a church member, and able to commit to a 12 session training course over a year.
Each Street Pastor team works in groups of 4, usually one night a month.
You can also support this work by being on a prayer team or by practical help.
For further information contact Margaret Simmons on 01788 574497, or visit:
www.streetpastors.org.uk

Growing Faith in the Countryside –
This is the title of a special half day conference on Saturday October 10th 2009 at the Arthur Rank Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, which aims to

• inspire, enthuse and encourage rural Christians to achieve what is possible and appropriate
• raise awareness of the specialist resources available
• enable the sharing of good ideas and experience
• grow confidence and a "Can do" attitude in responding to God's call

Cost £15. Further details from Margaret Simmons 01788 574497, or see the Revive Rugby website:
www.reviverugby.net

Christmas 2009
Are you thinking about who might come for Christmas this year? Perhaps you would like to make it a bit different. Some of the adults from overseas who are currently studying at UK universities would love to spend a couple of days in a real home, rather than on a deserted campus. It is interesting to share Christmas with people for whom it is all quite new (many international students are from China, for example).
HOST has been linking students with hospitable volunteers for 22 years, at Christmas and also one-off weekends throughout the year. HOST is a registered charity backed by the Foreign Office and many universities. It is not necessary for hosts to live near a university, as students are prepared to travel far for this unique experience! See www.hostuk.org or call HOST's voluntary regional organiser, Soili Barker, on 01948 830549. Thank you!

The internationally acclaimed African Children’s Choir^TM invites your congregation to a very special concert lasting approximately 1¼ hours at: THE BENN HALL, on Sunday 25th October 2009,
commencing at 6.30pm.

The African Children’s Choir is comprised of 25 African children, aged seven to eleven. Each child in the Choir has lost one or both parents to poverty or AIDS. This year’s Choir members come from South Africa.

Audiences are treated to a wide variety of songs accompanied by drums and ethnic instrumentation, including well-loved children’s songs, gospel melodies and lively spirituals.

The admission charge for the concert is £5 per adult & £2.50 per child, for tickets purchased from Rugby Christian Fellowship prior to the event, or £6 & £3 respectively at the door on the night. A free-will offering will be taken, during the performance, to support the Choir’s efforts back in Africa.

Further information from Bob Reeve, Rugby Christian Fellowship,
46 Cambridge Street, Rugby CV21 3NQ.  Tel: Office: 01788 544608 Mobile: 07706 124394 - Email: bob@rugbyelim.org.uk

Parenting Teenagers

Ever felt that your teenagers were living on a different planet to you?
You are not alone!
Parenting Teenagers is a 6 session course for all parents wanting to retain a guiding hand in their teenagers' lives, while learning to give them the space they need to stretch their wings and fly. Parents of teenagers can easily become isolated from each other when there is no more standing at the school gate or collecting children from each other’s homes. So the Parenting Teenagers course is for parents to connect with other parents facing similar issues through the teenage years, providing a place for ongoing friendship and support. It will also provide an opportunity to take a fresh look at our parenting – at the relationships we have built with our children and how we can help them to grow.
The course is run over six Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm to 9:45pm (3 before half term, and 3 after half term). The first session will be on Tuesday 6th October at The Cottage, North Street, Marton CV23 9RJ.  To book places or for further details please contact Jenny or Joe Walsh on 01926 632547.

News and Notices

Prayer Group Meeting
A reminder of the 9.30am Prayer Group held on the third Wednesday of the month at Willoughby Vicarage – new members welcome. If anyone would like prayer for any reason let me know. Future dates: 21st October and 18th November.  Jane

Thank You!
A very warm thank you to all those who cleaned and arranged all the flowers for the Harvest Services, the Churches were beautifully decorated – also a big thank you to those who served and cooked for the Harvest Suppers – all of you were STARS!

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