News
December 2 – Advent Sunday Taizé Service
This special service reflects the unique but simple meditative singing popularised by Taizé, which is easy to follow. The quiet, candlelit atmosphere lends itself to prayer and silence. All are very welcome.
Stalls Galore this Saturday!
There are three opportunities to buy your Christmas gifts this Saturday, 24 November, in three locations:
Byford – The Byford Bazaar at Bridge Sollars Community Centre, 10.00am – 2.00pm
Staunton – Advent Coffee Morning at Staunton-on-Wye Village Hall, 10.00am – 12.30pm
Weobley – Winter Fair at Weobley Parish Church, 10.30am – 2.30pm
Update on temporary closure of St Mary’s, Staunton-on-Wye
This update follows our post on 26 October where it was stated, “Following a fall of plaster from the roof of St Mary’s Church, Staunton-on-Wye, and the safety concerns that raises, the church is now temporarily closed and unavailable for services pending an architect’s inspection.”
At Monday’s PCC meeting it was decided that until the building repairs could be undertaken, Staunton parishioners would join with services at St John the Baptist, Letton on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. The Staunton Carol Service (Sunday 16 December, 5.30pm) and Crib Service (Christmas Eve, 4.00pm) will take place in the Village Hall.
Weobley Honours its Fallen
Joining the rest of the nation in the Act of Remembrance at 11.00am on Sunday 11 November, Weobley will hold its Silence and laying of wreaths around the war memorial in the churchyard opposite the main church entrance.
This will be preceded by a silent march to the churchyard, leaving from the centre of the village at 10.45am, led by Clergy, Royal British Legion members, Scouts and other uniformed participants, accompanied by muffled bells.
War Memorial Ceremonies – Saturday 10 November
The Eardisley and District British Legion will be visiting the war memorials in Letton, Staunton and Byford this Saturday 10 November to lay wreaths, read out the names and remember the fallen of the different villages. Times are approximately as follows:
Letton Church 11.25am
Staunton War Memorial 11.40am
Byford Church 12 noon
Anybody interested is very welcome to attend these short ceremonies.
Re-dedication of Historic Altar Frontal
When Weobley Church was having major work done some 10 years ago, Eunice Hayward, a congregation member, rescued from a skip a very dilapidated altar frontal. She asked Jane Lloyd if anything could be done to repair it. Realising that the restoration would be difficult, Jane passed it to the Broiderers’ Guild at the Cathedral. The much-restored frontal was re-dedicated at Weobley on Sunday, October 20.
There remained the question of what to do with the remains of the old one which had been consecrated, it is thought, about 150 years ago. There is a possibility it could have had a connection with Leila Peploe, who gave the chancel reredos and north side chancel window, which bears similarities to the vase motif on the frontal.
The pictures show the restored frontal, the remains being destroyed in the churchyard and flowers placed on Eunice’s grave as a token of gratitude for her initiative.
This Sunday – All Souls’ Service
This Sunday 4th November 2018 at 5.00pm, in the peaceful simplicity of St Mary’s Church, Monnington-on-Wye, we will remember and celebrate the lives of our loved ones who have died. At this All Souls’ Service candles will be lit in thanksgiving and prayer. An invitation is extended to anyone who would like to attend, and if you are unable to attend but would like someone remembered please contact The Rev’d Sean Semple on 01544 318415 or sajsemple@gmail.com
Dean Earns the Letton Guinea
On Monday, October 29, two dozen people braved below-zero temperatures to make a crowd at Letton Church for the annual Guinea Service. Following the Prayer Book order for Evensong, the invited preacher was Dean of Hereford Cathedral, The Very Revd Michael Tavinor.
Taking as his text Mark’s story of the poor widow putting her two small coins into the temple treasury (Mark 12:41-44), Michael revealed something about himself that his hearers did not know – his life-long interest in studying and collecting coins. He had brought three with him, all of which ‘told a story’.
Cathedral Dean to preach at Guinea Service
The Dean of Hereford Cathedral, The Very Revd Michael Tavinor, will preach at this year’s Guinea Service at St John The Baptist Church, in Letton, at 6.30pm on Monday 29 October, in a tradition which dates back to the early 1800s.
In the last will and testament of parishioner Elizabeth Freeman, dated 1810, she left provision to ‘pay The Minister of Letton Church, one Guinea for a sermon in The Church on the 29th October yearly, forever.’
Memorable Music from Cathedral Consort
The concert by the Lay Clerks of Hereford Cathedral on Saturday 13 October in Weobley Parish Church Memorwas a resounding success thanks to the enthusiastic team of workers and the generous support of so many members of the community. The music was simply terrific, quite unforgettable. The surplus on the sale of the tickets plus donations and the excellent raffle meant that we were able to contribute £680 to church funds.