News and Notices

Gt. Massingham

Mary & the Angel Gabriel

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

A NEW RECTOR HAS BEEN APPOINTED
TO TAKE UP HIS POSITION IN THE SPRING.

We are absolutely delighted to announce that an appointment has been made for the position of Team Rector for our Benefice

Revd Joshua (Josh) Whitnall comes to us from the Harling and Guiltcross Benefice near Thetford in South Norfolk. He has a wealth of experience, energy and commitment to serve in our ten parishes.

He is a Norfolk man, deeply committed to nature, the countryside and village life and especially rural ministry. He has farming connections and is married with a lovely family - two young girls and another child due in the new year.

We are looking forward to Josh beginning his ministry in the early months of next year when the family take up residence at Grimston Rectory.

Josh writes:

I am delighted to have been appointed your new Rector, and I am excited to join you early next year.
I look forward to getting to know you all and ministering together for many years to come.

I am married to Beth, who is a shepherd by trade, we have two wonderful girls, Eden (4) and Iona (2), and are expecting our third child in January.
Much of our family life revolves around the agricultural year, although Eden and I can often be found in a bird hide somewhere in Norfolk.

I must offer my thanks to all whom have already made me feel so welcome throughout the appointment process, especially the parish representatives,
church wardens and ministry team, whom I look forward to working with to continue to serve each of your communities.

We are all looking forward to meeting you in the new year, a licensing date is yet to be set - but details will, I am certain, be shared in due course!

With every best wish, Josh

FRIENDS of ST BOTOLPH

THE TRACTOR RUN & COUNTRY FAIR

The event is at grave risk and without more volunteers to help this fantastic village event will not take place - it’s over to you! How about it? Can you sign up?

Can you help FOSB raise funds to keep your beautiful village church in a good state of repair?

For the last 20 years Manor Farm Grimston has kindly hosted this very popular village event. But time marches on and those that run the event and man the stands etc have slowly dwindled.

Events like this are planned months in advance and many hands make light work. Roles include- helping on food and drink stalls, Tombola, parking, first aid,

If you think you can help please call Stephen on 01485 601576.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 4th

OLLIE'S ORGAN CHALLENGE

Ollie Welling has set himself a challenge - to play as many organs as possible in Norfolk to raise money for Swanton Morley Bell Appeal.

Here he is playing the organ at St Nicholas Church, Gayton. He has also played the organ at East Walton and Ashwicken.

He has now played at over 240 Churches - still planty more to go but well done Ollie.

YOUR TOWER NEEDS YOU!

ST BOTOLPH CHURCH, GRIMSTON and ST MARY, GT MASSINGHAM

Are you interested in learning the art of church bell ringing?

If you are 18 years or over and able bodied we are looking for reliable and enthusiastic persons with good sence of humour to join our team and become trainee ringers.

Tuesday evening is our regular practice night at Grimston, if this appeals to you and you would like more info and a informal chat call Mike on 07846 574230

AT ST MARY ’ S WE ARE KEEN TO GET OUR BELLS RINGING AGAIN

If you have an interest in learning to ring the bells, we would love to hear from you.

If you don ’ t feel quite up to pulling the ropes, we also have a set of handbells we would like to play once again.

For tower bells contact: Dale on 07724 890084 For hand bells contact: Anna on 07789 604097

We did say a sense of humour required but it is not always like this photo opposite.

Image result for prayer MONDAYS 9.00 - 10.00 PRAYER GROUP at GRIMSTON
meets at Orchard House, details from Rosemarie Bowers: 01485 600485
TUESDAYS 11.00 -12.30 BIBLE STUDY at GREAT MASSINGHAM
at Cobwebs, Station Road, details from Kim Frazer: 01485 520930

ST BOTOLPH, GRIMSTON, EAST WINDOW

SUNDAY 19th OCTOBER 10.30 AM

A SERVICE TO DEDICATE AND BLESS THE REFURBISHED EAST WINDOW IN CHURCH.

The East Window was sadly in need of restoration and thanks to the Friends of St Botolph for their continuing energy and dedication about £45,000 of work was able to be carried out.

SATURDAY 8th NOVEMBER 10.30 - 2.00 pm

COFFEE AND CAKE AND MORE

ST ANDREW'S CHURCH, CONGHAM

Image result for Bingo SATURDAY 15th NOVEMBER 7.30 pm

B I N G O for ALL SAINTS CHURCH, ROYDON
POTT ROW VILLAGE HALL

RAFFLE, TEA/COFFEE AND CAKE £2.50
Gifts of prizes/cakes gratefully received in advance - please call 01485 600353/600059

THURSDAY 20th NOVEMBER 7.00 pm

The FoSB present "THE GOOD, THE DEAD & THE INFAMOUS"

ST BOTOLPH CHURCH, GRIMSTON

Have you ever wondered about the lives and stories behind the names you see on the gravestones in Grimston St. Botolph's churchyard? Now is your chance to find out!

With an illustrated talk by local historian Steph Hall, who along with her husband Ian, have researched the lives of these long-departed residents of our villages.

Steph’s talk will be interspersed with poems by our own Village Poet Laureate - Kev Kavanagh.

With a selection of poems featuring past characters of our villages…some of them you may well remember!

This is a great opportunity for old and new residents of Grimston and surrounding area to get to know some of our history which may have passed them by!

Tickets priced at £10 each will be available on the door. Tickets include an interval glass of wine and nibbles. A night not to be missed!

Come along and enjoy an entertaining evening in the warmth of St. Botolph's new heating system too… although you might want to bring along a cushion.

THURSDAY 27th NOVEMBER, 4th, 11th and 18th DECEMBER 7.30 pm

ADVENT COURSE

ORCHARD HOUSE, LYNN ROAD, GRIMSTON

Explore the story of The Nativity, what it means for you, for me, and the whole world.

Evening sessions over four weeks. Let’s be ready for the biggest event ever!

SUNDAY 30th NOVEMBER 3.30 pm

HARPLEY COMMUNITY CHOIR IN CONCERT

ST LAWRENCE, HARPLEY

Harpley Community Choir are holding a concert in Church to raise funds for a new keyboard.
Entry is free and everyone is welcome.

SATURDAY 6th DECEMBER 10.00 - 12.30pm

CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING

ST MARY, GT MASSINGHAM

A Christmas Coffee Morning and Christmas Tree Festival.
Always good company and delicious cakes - plus Raffle - Cards - Decorations

SATURDAY DECEMBER 13 - 29TH 10.00 - 4.00pm

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL - COFFEE MORNING 10.00-12.00 on the 13th.

ST NICHOLAS CHURCH, GAYTON

The annual Christmas Tree Festival starts on the 13th December with a coffee morning from 10.00 - 12.00 pm.
Thereafter it is everyday until the 29th December from 10.00 to 4.00 pm.
Families and Businesses are welcome to exhibit a tree. Be Creative - Think outside the box.
Book your FREE space now.
Contact christnereddish@me.com for more information.
Our Family Carol Service is on Dec 14th at 3.00pm. Do come along and enjoy the singing with refreshments.

From the Church Registers of Baptisms,Weddings and Funerals

An archive of the 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 THE YEAR 2021 AND PREVIOUS YEARS CHECK "THE ARCHIVED NEWS" CLICK HERE