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To view October's edition of the Tas Valley Benefice Newsletter click on the PDF document in Featured Resources Available For Download at the bottom of this page.

Services across Tas valley February 2024

Upper Tas Valley Benefice and Tas Valley News sheet

Upper Tas Valley Benefice & Tas Valley Team Ministry Services

Upper Tas Valley Benefice & Tas Valley Team Ministry Newsletter

Subscribe to our new digital advent calendar

The advent calendar is an exciting new project from the diocese and is a way to reflect and engage with Advent differently through a selection of images, music, and more.

Please contact Andrea Tel: 471529 if you would like to attend any of these services. In order to maintain social distancing, which limits available space, seating will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Village Carol Services

Friday 18th December 19.00

Sunday 20th December 16.00

Crib Services

Thursday 24th December 15.00

Thursday 24th December 16.30

Wreath made by Rainbows from Saxlingham Nethergate Scout and Guide group

Emerging Church

It’s good to see the tentative emergence from lockdown happening all around us.  But the relaxing of regulations brings its own challenges…. we watch with incredulity and anger the news reports of crowded beaches and what seems to be the blatant abuse, by some, of this new measure of freedom.

The churches here in Tas Valley have been opened for private prayer and we began offering ‘live’ services in two parishes as well as continuing with Zoom services during July and August.  From September we’ll be building on this, with three more of our churches opening their doors to worshippers on Sunday mornings.  Each step forwards involves familiarising ourselves with revised rules and adapting to new ways of worship.  At the time of writing, congregational singing is still prohibited and Holy Communion is to be given in ‘one kind only’ – sharing of the cup is not allowed.

That said, there’s a lot to be gained from meeting together, having face to face contact (or more accurately, ‘eye contact’ - over our face masks) sharing in fellowship and worshipping together. 

Recently I attended a drive-in ‘Songs of Praise’ style service at the Norfolk Showground and took part in a mini-retreat at home via Zoom – two events organised by the Diocese.  Although I joined in both with a certain amount of hesitation, they each proved to be valuable times of encounter with God. 

I know many of us have been blessed in unexpected ways as we’ve found ourselves doing church differently over the past few months and reassured to experience for ourselves the truth that our circumstances may change but God remains unchanging, love eternal, ever faithful, always true.

With my prayers and every blessing

Dawn

Keep Calm and Carry On…

With the gradual easing of lockdown comes a host of further concerns…how to interpret the new rules, how to make things work in new and different ways, how to move into the future leaving behind what is no longer of benefit but taking with us lessons learned and the good we’ve gained.

This will be a ‘work in progress’ for some time to come.  Meanwhile we keep on keeping on….

The church is making good use of technology and digital resources to help negotiate our way through the current challenge.  As well as our own Zoom service, the Diocese of Norwich website www.dioceseofnorwich.org  offers links to services of worship and a variety of useful resources to help maintain and nurture our spiritual life.  Likewise www.churchofengland.org. 

I’d like to highlight the ministry of Canon J.John who delivers spiritual truth with good humoured wisdom.  At www.canonjjohn.com you’ll find ‘Word for the Day’ ‘Facing the Canon’ and ‘The J.John Podcast’.  From the site menu you can access his blog – I particularly recommend exploring this for many articles reflecting on our current situation.

There are two excellent Christian radio stations offering music, teaching, interviews, articles and news, which I encourage you to check out:  www.premierchristianradio.com and www.ucb.co.uk.

If you haven’t already discovered www.youtube.com as a source of encouraging preaching, I suggest going there to find a wealth of teaching from HTB Church (Holy Trinity Brompton), among others.  There is an almost endless list of ministries on YouTube – particularly from ‘across the pond’.  Discernment is needed when ‘surfing the net’ for good teaching – it’s usually apparent when something is whacky, or slightly off track.  If in doubt, ask!  Always take the Berean approach (Acts 17:11) and you won’t go far wrong!

With my prayers and every blessing

Dawn

              https://dioceseofnorwich.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8477d8a03014a58cb41be0b8d&id=dd65c4a954&e=060a501b6c

We've all heard that Sunday services and other mid-week gatherings are to stop until further notice - posing a new and exciting challenge for us as we seek to 'do differently' in being Church in Tas Valley during these uncertain times.

Despite the inconveniences and in some cases, very real difficulties that we may encounter, we can continue to look to God for wisdom, help and comfort.  This is our moment to shine.  Here is opportunity to deepen our prayer life, to reach out in practical ways to neighbours and friends.  To show support and strengthen community in our villages.  We can all pick up the phone or write a card offering words of encouragement.  Many of us can offer help in a variety of practical ways.

Meanwhile, keep safe and well - watch this space and elswhere for further updates and developments.

With love and prayers

Dawn

"Keep a Christian from entering the church sanctuary

and you have not in the least bit hindered his worship.

We carry our sanctuary with us.

We never leave it."

AW Tozer

It may be frustrating not being able to gather physically for worship but as the above quote reminds us, the presence of God dwells within us and worship can take place wherever we are - not least when we're on our own.  Some are discovering online resources for worship - where 'virtual community' is possible.  I'm putting together a small selection of online resources that I've found useful and will share this in due course.  It is in circumstances such as this current crisis that we are made more aware than ever of our need to lean on God.  In many ways this time is a gift - we suddenly have the space to nurture our personal walk with the Lord.  It takes discipline to develop our prayer life and spend quality time reading the Bible but there is little excuse not to do so in such a time as this.  

Other things are happening as we share the love of God and neighbour through acts of kindness and service.  I'm hugely encouraged by what I'm hearing from a number of people giving and receiving help with shopping, collecting prescriptions and making telephone calls to keep in touch and help to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.  Please let me know of needs you or others may have - if we can help in any way we will.  Contact me on 01508 498924 or dawndavidson@btinternet.com 

With every blessing and my continued prayers for us all

Dawn

Six weeks ago I was in Jerusalem, walking the Via Dolorosa - the route Jesus took on his way to the crucifixion.  Stopping, along with fellow pilgrims, for the stations of the cross.  The street was narrow, crowded and lined either side with open fronted shops - vivid with colour, glittering with trinkets.  The scent of spices mingling in places with the acid stench of urine, shopkeepers attempting to make a sale, traders interrupting our prayers waving their wares at us - "Come, you buy - only ten dollars"...it was chaotic, not an atmosphere conducive to contemplation.  It was also uncomfortably cold.  Disappointment began to well up within me...until I caught the whisper of God's voice....this is not so different, this noisy, crowded, unglamorous jostle.  People going about their business - others disrespectful, not understanding what your purpose is, not interested in what you're doing - not comprehending the significance of what is happening.

Come, my child and walk with me....those who walk with me through the suffering of this world, will share in the joy that is to come.  This may be Friday....but Sunday's coming....

God bless you as we journey through Easter together.

Dawn

Around 40 people gathered to worship at our Benefice Service this morning in Swainsthorpe Church.  Julian Bryant from Christian Aid spoke on John 6:1-15.  The collection totalled £175.70 all of which will go to help children in Kenya affected by HIV.  This is a ‘matched giving’ scheme - for every £1 donated another £17 is added - this means the project will benefit by almost £3000.  Thanks to all who gave so generously.

God blesses us to be a blessing!

Dawn

Come to our Flower Festival - August 4 - 12, Saxlingham Nethergate church

Theme - Around the World in 80 Days

Open every day, refreshments, book sale and craft items for sale

The message of the cross is central to the Christian faith. As a symbol, the cross is universally known, and either revered, reviled or ignored. But how many people connect the cross with Easter? Reports suggest that these days very few could even explain what it means....could you? Here’s a quick summary: God created man and woman to enjoy friendship with him – but they chose to ignore God and go their own way. Because of this, evil has flourished and all mankind suffers as a result. But God, in his love, has not abandoned us and left us to it. He did something about it – by sending his own Son, Jesus – who lived a pure and unblemished life – to take the punishment we all deserve by dying in our place. No one else was qualified to do this – the payment for ultimate evil could only be made by ultimate good. And it gets even better....the Bible says that whoever comes to Jesus asking forgiveness will be forgiven and receive a new life that never ends. A life that begins now - and continues beyond death for all eternity. When Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, it was proof positive that all he’d said and promised was true. There are some excellent books that help explore the evidence for the resurrection – please get in touch if you’d like to know more.

This website features details of our Easter services and events  – we would love to welcome you, wherever you are on your journey of faith. God bless you this Easter and always! 

Some of the stars of this year’s Norwich Theatre Royal pantomime are throwing their weight behind a bid byNewton Flotman church to boost its coffers after being targeted by lead thieves.

Ben Langley, who plays Silly Billy in Jack and the Beanstalk this Christmas, will be making a guest appearance at the festive fair at St Mary’s Church in Newton Flotman.  The event runs from 10am-3pm on Saturday 3rd December with light lunches and cakes available.  Ben will be arriving at 12 noon..

He will be exploring the stalls and meeting some of the parishoners who are helping to raise money for the church.  Maybe he'll be in some of the Christmas photos - you can book a Christmas photo shoot for your child with Vicky for just £3.  The photos make great Christmas presents and will be delivered in time for the Christmas post.

The fair was initially going to boost the parish coffers to make the building more of a space for community events but now at least some money is going to have to be diverted to replace the lead following November’s theft and also increase security at the building.

It is the second time the church has been targeted in recent months following an attempted lead theft back in May.

The Revd Canon Sally Gaze, Team Rector for the Tas Valley which includes Newton Flotman, said: “Newton Flotman is a wonderful community,  We’re all pulling together after the lead theft and still intending to invest in adapting our building for more community use as soon as possible.  We’re really looking forward to having Ben with us.  The fair will be lots of fun”

Ben’s visit comes amid rehearsals for this year’s pantomime which opens on December 13 and runs through until January 15. He joins a star cast which includes world-renowned dancer, choreographer and performer Wayne Sleep, and the Theatre Royal’s panto stalwart Richard Gauntlett. 

John Bultitude, of Norwich Theatre Royal, said: “Ben was delighted to visit Newton Flotman in his native South Norfolk and help support the fundraising efforts. The festive event is a key part of the church’s calendar and it is great to have the chance to help them end 2016 in a positive way. Oh yes it is.”

Jack And The Beanstalk, Tuesday 13 December 2016-Sunday 15 January 2017. Tickets £7-£23.50

On the same day nearby Swainsthorpe Church's Christmas Coffee Morning will run from 10am -12 noon.  Why not come to both

New Village Shop Vending Machine in Newton Flotman?

As part of St. Mary’s Newton Flotman’s Growing for the Future project, the PCC is exploring how the church building can better serve the village.  One of the ideas the PCC is looking at is the possibility of installing a village shop vending machine in the church tower.  The BBC reported on the installation of a similar village vending machine in Derbyshire, (see that report online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-26680076)

Newton Flotman & Tasburgh’s village shops closed a while ago, and anyone wanting to buy the basics such as milk, bread, toilet rolls etc. has to trek to Mulbarton, Long Stratton or the outskirts of Norwich.  That’s not always easy or convenient.

To find out if a new type of village shop vending machine, open 7am-7pm and selling essential fresh foods and groceries, would be of benefit to the village, the PCC is undertaking a survey.  The survey, and a stand explaining how the church tower could be adapted to improve its use for the community, will take place at Newton Flotman’s Village Fete on Sunday 7^th September.  The survey will also be sent to every household in Newton Flotman & Swainsthorpe via the parish magazine Partnership, and is also available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BWSX9JL.

Please do take part and let us know what you think. Thanks!

Have you seen one recently?

I want to tell you about a particularly spectacular rainbow that I saw when driving down in Hampshire some years ago. It was huge and it was close and I will never forget it. It was over and in the field alongside the M3 where I was driving. The wonderful thing was that I could see both ends of the arc and the colours were so vivid against the dark menacing sky. I just stared in awe (whilst trying to keep my eyes on the road ahead!). At the same time, dozens of other vehicles were zooming along the motorway in both directions and I wondered how many people in those vehicles noticed the beautiful rainbow and how many were oblivious to the marvellous sight just a few hundred feet away from them. I don’t know about you, but it’s easy to succumb to ‘tunnel vision’ when driving isn’t it. 

It’s like that in life too. We can become so engrossed in our own lives, our own problems perhaps, our own desires and thoughts; and be so busy barrelling along at top speed that we miss the glory of God’s loving presence beside us. 

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

- Psalm 19

 The Psalmist reminds us that the rainbow of God’s presence surrounds us constantly. So today, as each of us travels along our own highway of life, going about our daily chores, routines, jobs and whatever, let’s try not only to be conscious of our own personal world but also of the created world which declares the glory of God and the splendour of His everlasting presence with us. Let’s not miss the rainbow!

 "When you see a rainbow in the sky, have you ever stopped to wonder why?

Is it there to decorate the sky? What does it mean?

It’s a sign of God’s love! And He placed it there to prove

That as long as time shall last, He will care for you."

Calling All Photographers!

Have you taken any special photos of British wildlife?

From otters to orchids, from bluebells to butterflies, all entries into our special exhibition at the church for Open Churches Week, 6th-14th August, are most welcome!

Please print them out between 5`x7` and A4 for display purposes. Categories are: Under 16 and Adults.

Submit your entries by 31st July 2011

to: The Cottage, Chequers Road, Tharston