Good evening friends,

We have been back a full week and my goodness it has been a full week! Lots of good things and lots of lovely people, all slightly overshadowed by some impressive jellyfish stings I sustained in the Atlantic ocean (Will has some too). Don’t ask to see them, it’ll put you off your dinner! A good dose of antibiotics and various other medications are calming them all down. Thank goodness! 

Now then. What have I missed? 🙂

I have three reminders for you this week and some news. 

Reminders – 

Don’t forget the Usk Show this year, Saturday 12^th Sept. – as in previous years we have a marquee and space near the main ring, offering free tea, coffee, and cake throughout the day, in a calm and comfortable setting. There will be bunting to make, as well as children’s activities and baby changing. Clergy and others will be available for conversations of all sorts, and we would be very glad to see you. If you think you could make cupcakes for the day, we would be very pleased for them. Please let me know so we can arrange collection.

Second “don’t forget” – this Sunday is a fifth Sunday in the month so there is just one service in the MA. It is in Raglan at 11am. The theme is Back to School Sunday but this could also apply to you, as we return to our routines and regular activities. We have talks, music, and activities related to this and invite you to bring something that is significant in your daily life so that we can bless it as we go into this next season. I hope to see you there.

Third reminder – we have a confirmation service on Sunday 4^th October in Llanhennock Church. Everyone is welcome to this service with Archbishop Cherry. If you would like to join our sessions of preparation, either to see if confirmation is right for you, or to remind yourself of the promises you made at your own confirmation, then you are very welcome to join us in the meeting room in Usk Church on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. Come along, the more the merrier.

And now for the news – first I would like to congratulate Lesley Evans who is the organist in Monkswood Church and one of our Ministry Area Council trustees. She has been awarded an Archbishop’s award for services to church music. This is very well deserved and I will let you know shortly what arrangements are being made for us to celebrate with Lesley. In the meantime, thank you Lesley for everything you contribute to our church life, and thank you to all our musicians who make such a difference to our worship.

Finally, we have been asked for a while now, to create a regular leaflet that contains the dates and times of upcoming church events across the Ministry Area. Thanks to Dee Seabourne and Rev’d Hannah we are now ready to launch this. The September one will be available in churches from this weekend.

This notice sheet will be as successful as you make it. With a monthly publication, it will be great if you can let Dee know in plenty of time, if there is something special happening in your church, and we can then make sure we share it with all our friends across the MA. The sheet will be distributed as a hard copy so you can take it home and pin it somewhere, and we would be glad of any feedback, kindly offered, as we get this new communication established. This comes on the back of changing the way we organise the pew sheets, which Roger Moss has led, supported by Rev’d Stephen. Thank you to Dee, Roger and everyone who ensures our comms are improving. Let me know if you don’t have contact detials for Dee or have any questions.

And that is, perhaps that?!

Time for my next dose of antibiotics, and some cheering Dairy Milk (other chocolate brands are available).

Thank you all of you for being so fantastic at all that you do. We have much to be thankful for.

With my love and prayers,

Sally xxx

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