News & Notices

Gt. Massingham

Mary & the Angel Gabriel

"I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." Luke 2.10

 NOVEMBER 18th 2020

Revd. Jane's diagnosis was changed to Pancreatic Cancer in August  

and she has since remained at home in the Rectory receiving good regular medical care.

She is grateful to everyone for their messages of support and love.

She is happy for people still to contact her by phone, mornings are easier for her,

but some days are better than others. She remains very interested in all that goes on in the villages

and we continue to hold her very much in our prayers.

AUGUST 2020.  Dear All. As you will have heard from Steve, I have been discharged from Addenbrookes and am back home at last!

Boy am I glad to be back and in my own bed!

Unfortunately, I have to share with you some difficult news that may come as a shock to you, as it did to my family and myself very recently.
Doctors have now discovered that my Chronic Pancreatitis has turned malignant and so the diagnosis has changed to Pancreatic Cancer.
The prognosis is difficult to predict but we have been told that it likely to be limited.

I saw Bishop Jonathan yesterday and we had a long chat; I am so very grateful for his careand support on this journey.

I now wanted to share the news with you all as soon as possible as I am aware of how lovingly you have been holding me in prayer and
I can hardly begin to express my gratitudefor that. I have felt ‘held’ and cherished throughout this time. Thank you!

I am currently recovering from a minor operation to make me more comfortable at home and so will be out of action for a couple of weeks.
However, once that has healed, I very much hope to be able to come along to a church service
to say hello face to face so will see many of you there. I very much look forward to that.

Thank you all, once again, for your love, your prayers and your continuing faithfulness. Put your trust in the Lord always for he does not forsake us.
With my own love and prayers for you all. Jane

 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICES 8th NOVEMBER

The latest government advice is that a risk assesment for containing the virus must be evaluated with regard for public safety. Sadly we did not feel we were able to observe the requirements for the scheduled services at Gayton, Grimston and  Ashwicken and these public services were cancelled. There has been be a short private wreath laying ceremony at these Churchesand the names of the Fallen were read out. Our photo shows our reader Joy Smith at St Botolph's Church, Grimston and similarly Revd. Sue Martin carried out the ceremony at St Nicholas, Gayton and both later at Ashwicken All Saints.

Commemorative service also took place at Gt Massingham and Harpley on the day. There is more from Harpley here.

There was also a well attended Remembrance ZOOM Service at 10.50 am. on SUNDAY 8th with 50 people joining in.

FROM NOVEMBER 5th CHURCH SERVICES ARE RESTRICTED TO PRIVATE PRAYER ONLY.

WE HOPE FOR SERVICES TO RESUME IN DECEMBER AND CHRISTMAS SERVICES ARE PLANNED. WE MUST HOPE THAT WE CAN CELEBRATE TOGETHER.

CHECK THE CALENDAR AS WE PROGRESS INTO DECEMBER. 

HARPLEY, EAST WALTON, GAYTON THORPE & ASHWICKEN ARE OPEN FOR INDIVIDUAL PRAYER 

 EVERYDAY IN DAYLIGHT HOURS.

( Please use Hand Sanitiser provided on entering and leaving the building and observe social distancing - 2 metres recommended).

WE ARE CONTINUING TO HOST 
LIVE WEB SERVICES USING ZOOM.

If you have Zoom on your pc, laptop, tablet, or phone you can take part in our services.

SUNDAYS 10.50 am for 11.00 start.

( Readings are shown on the Calendar page and the Communion Service sheet is here )  

                                             ALTERNATE WEDNESDAYS 3.00 pm 

If you are having trouble with the app/programme then call Steve Williamson on 01553 636413. Everything is free and all you need do is register your interest
with Steve at stephenwilliamson001@gmail.com and then click on an email link sent to you at the time of the service.

“With many in our country on lockdown, it’s important that we support those

who are feeling lonely and isolated, whatever age they are."

Archbishop Justin Welby

Not everyone is able to attend Church or take part in our Zoom services. This is a FREE phoneline that you can call to listen to prayers and hymns and reflections at a time to suit you.

CONGHAM COFFEE MORNINGS

CAKE CREATION CELEBRATION

Enjoy some of those famous bakes at home with recipes from Congham's star baker.

Glenis put the book together during the first Lockdown

and 'The Coffee Morning Cake Book' is now on sale to support the Church.

Copies cost £5 and are available at Grimston Stores and will be available at the Old Store in Roydon

when it reopens in December - or by contacting Glenis on 07787 912096.

HARPLEY ST LAWRENCE CHURCH

On Historic England's "AT RISK" Register

Historic England continue to make the case for listed places of worship as heritage in their own right, as cultural centres for communities and as faith buildings. We support the people who look after them so they can share them with their communities and make them open as places of wellbeing for people of all faiths and none.

In usual times the 14,788 listed places of worship in England provide spaces for worship as well as social and community events, allowing people to gather for a wide range of practical and spiritual reasons. They usually provide a haven for individuals needing a quiet, safe and peaceful place to take a break from daily worries, irrespective of their own beliefs or circumstances.

They will continue to accommodate celebration and grief, shared and private experiences, art, music and sculpture, toddler groups, political hustings, and self-help and addiction support sessions. These are significant spaces in which human experience has been, and continues to be, welcome.

St Lawrence Church is in significant financial need and all help is warmly welcomed.

From the Church Registers of Baptisms,
Weddings and Funerals

An archive of this year's entries in the Church Registers is on the  "From the Church Registers" page. Follow the links for 2018/2017 and 2016..

FOR AN OVERVIEW OF NEWS THIS YEAR 2020 AND PREVIOUS YEARS CHECK "THE ARCHIVED NEWS" CLICK HERE