Parish Who’s Who

The Benefice is now in vacancy. If you wish to book Weddings, Funerals or Baptisms please contact

the Rural Dean The Reverend Rosamund Seal

The Vicarage, 5 Church Street, Holbeach, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE12 7LL

01406 424989

Reader Sally Clifton, 9 Broadgate Sutton St James PE12 0EL 01945 440168

Authorised Lay Ministers Jane Spriggs 01945 700004 Jane Sivers 01406 331330

ChurchwardensSutton St Edmund

Jane Spriggs ‘The Acorns’ Broadgate 01945 700004Meg Norman 8 Cross Road 01945 700798

Sutton St JamesPauline Stebbings, Willow Farm Jarvisgate 01945 440285

Sally Clifton 9 Broadgate 01945 440168

Gedney HillRoy and Judi Houldershaw 70 North Road 01406 330981

Whaplode DroveMorris Stancer Morvista Avenue Farm, Dowsdale Crowland

01406 330544Jane Sivers 10 Chapel gate 01406 331330

Village ReportersSt Edmund - Jane Spriggs

St James - Pauline StebbingsWhaplode Drove - Jane Sivers

Gedney Hill – Janet Coles & Marilyn Collishaw

Magazine EditorSally Clifton 01945 440168

Elloe Fen Benefice MagazineServing the Parishes of St John the Baptist Whaplode Drove, Holy Trinity Gedney Hill (w) St Polycarp’s, Sutton St Edmund and Sutton St James.

July 2017

Summer Prayer by Jim Manney

Father, Creator of all, thank You for summer!Thank you for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight.

Thank You for the beauty I see all around meand for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation.

Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family,and for the more casual pace of the summer season.

Draw me closer to You this summer.Teach me how I can pray

no matter where I am or what I am doing.Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence

and light my path with Your Word and Counsel.As I enjoy Your creation, create in me

a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You.Amen.

Sutton St Edmund Church Services and Village News Sunday 9th July No Service at St Edmund

Sunday 16th July Morning Prayer with Jane Spriggs at 9.00amSunday 23rd July Holy Communion 9.00am

Sunday 30th July United Service @ 10.30amAt Holbeach Drove Methodist Chapel

St Edmund Village Hall Tombola St Edmund Short Mat Bowlers Wednesday 19th July Meet every Tuesday Doors open 6-45pm Eyes Down 7.30pm 7pm to 10pm Good Prizes and Refreshments in the Everyone Welcome Village Hall The snowball is up and running New members always welcome

Probably because Sunday 18th June was scorching hot the summer fair and the songs of praise at the parish church was not quite as well attended as usual. Jane and Meg would like to thank everyone who worked very hard in the heat for all their efforts.

A prayer from our American friends as they celeb-rate 4th July

http://thedailyprayerblog.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/Leviticus 25:10 “proclaim freedom throughout the land for all

who live there”Father as citizens of this great nation, the United States of America, we are privileged to have many freedoms guaranteed to us by our constitution.  We have been exceptionally blessed by your grace, protected by your providence and guided by your wisdom. We are not without fault, failure or frustration. But, thankfully, we remain free. Free to pursue to life, liberty and happiness. Father, help us to use our precious freedom for your greater glory, the good of our fellow citizens, and the benefit of those who seek refuge in the words of Emma Lazarus: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” And Father, may we ever be mindful that the greatest, most joyous and priceless freedom of all is that spoken of by Jesus: “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a perman-ent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:34-36

Therefore Father, in the words of the Apostle Paul: “…we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our free-dom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1:6-7 (NLT)

Thank you Father in Jesus name Amen

Dear Friends,

‘We are convinced that England will never be converted until the laity use the opportunities for evangelism daily offered by their various professions, crafts and occupations… this being so, the Christian laity should be recognised as the priesthood of the Church in the working world, and as the Church militant in action in the mission fields of politics, industry and commerce’. So said the 1946 report, Towards the Conversion of England, commissioned by Archbishop William Temple.

Seventy years later, and a more recent report, Setting God’s People Free, debated at General Synod earlier this year, makes exactly the same point, and asks for what it calls two major culture changes in the way we think about being and doing Church.

‘Until, together, we find a way to form and equip lay people to follow Jesus confidently in every sphere of life in ways that demonstrate the Gospel we will never set God’s people free to evangelise the nation,’ says the report. ‘Until laity and clergy are convinced, based on their baptismal mutuality, that they are equal in worth and status, complementary in gifting and vocation, mutually accountable in discipleship and equal partners in mission, we will never form communities that can evangelise the nation’.

It is a report that reminds us that as Christians we are not just redeemed ‘from’ something, but ‘ for’ something as well. Each one of us is called to play our part in bringing about the transformation of our world and of lives as we share what we know of Jesus in all the different places God sends us to. We gather together on a Sunday to be sent scattered into the world as Church the other six days of the week.

It is an exciting vision of what the Church has always been called to be, but maybe one we have not always lived out. The challenge for us as a diocese is how we do that now, to move from just words in a report, to actions that make a difference. Seventy years has been a long time to wait!

+ David Grimsby – July 2017

Church Warden’s Meeting with the Rural Dean

Wednesday 5th July at 7.30pm

St James Church Hall, Bells Drove, Sutton St James

What’s happening at Whaplode Drove?FANTASTIC STUFF – THAT’S WHAT!!

Church Services at St John the BaptistSunday 9th July Holy Communion 8.00amSunday 16th July Morning Prayer 10.00amSunday 23rd July Get together 10.00am

Sunday 30th July United Service @ 10.30am At Holbeach Drove Methodist ChapelOn Sunday 2nd July, the Revd. Paul Hardingham had a congregation of 30 for Holy communion at 10am.On Saturday 10th June, Jane held her first Messy church from 11am to 1pm in the church room. 14 children & 16 adults all new to church, enjoyed a light lunch, prayers and a bible story, interspersed with crafts. The next messy church will be on Saturday 8th July.On Tuesday 6th June Whaplode Drove WI celebrated its 80th birthday with a buffet supper and entertainment provided by Sean Moyse the banjo man. Jane highly recommends him, she said it was the best birthday the WI had ever had. On Thursday 29th June, the WI were due to hold a cream tea in Jane's garden. Although the weather improved slightly after a very wet few days, and Jane and Fred’s garden certainly benefitted from the downpour, it was too cold to hold the tea party outside so it happened in the church room instead. £105 was made in 90 minutes. After the fantastic success of the ‘Forties Frolics’ a presentation was made to the two charities who benefitted from the all the fun and hard work. £1460 was donated to the MAS charity. The same amount was given to the air ambulanceThe Whaplode Drove WI meet this Tuesday and Jane and Brenda are the entertainment so expect mayhem!!

St John the Baptist held their Gift Day on Saturday 24th June. The wonderful catering committee put on lunches in Whaplode Drove Church Room between 11am to 2pm. £250 was raised on lunches but the gift day totals have not yet been finalised.

May God the Son, who fed the five thousand and turned water into wine, feed us with his life and transform us in his love. Amen.

Whaplode Drove Church Fete

Sunday 30th July2pm to 4.30pm

Church Room GardensTeas, Stalls, TombolasGames and Family Fun

Sutton St James Church Services & Church NewsSunday 9th July Holy Communion @ 10.00am The Revd. Michaela Dean

Sides persons Gail & Fred Readers Geoff & Peter Chalice Pauline Prayers Sall

SUNDAY 16TH AND 23rd JULY NO SERVICE AT ST JAMESSunday 30th July United Service @ 10.30am

At Holbeach Drove Methodist ChapelDavid Beeton will be returning to Sutton St James to lead morning prayer on Sunday 6th August while Sall goes on holiday. He is looking forward to worshipping with all his friends again. The Baptist Chapel will be holding their flower festival from Friday 7th July through to Sunday 9th July. Lunches will be available every day from 12pm to 2pm. The Songs of Praise will be held at 3.30pm on Sunday 9th and will be followed by tea. Thank you to Mark Campling for cutting the grass in the

church yard.Sutton St James Church Youth Club meet in the Church Hall and Paddock from 6pm to 8.30 pm every Friday during the summer months, but not during the school holidays. We will have an outing to Heckington show on 30th July 2017. The Good Companions will be holding their annual coffee morning from 10am to midday on Thursday 6th July at the Village Hall (seating outside if the weather is kind). Normal meetings will be held from 2pm on the 5th and the 26th July. Bingo will be held on the 12th July and a summer outing is being planned for the 19th. For details about joining this group which

welcomes anyone over the age of 55, contact Jean on 01945 440535.Sutton St James Women’s Group enjoyed a talk on tea tasting on Wednesday 28th June in the church hall. On the 26 thJuly the ladies will enjoy a summer supper. For further details, please call Cherril on 01945 440319.

Church Hall for HireCall Jenny Rose on 01945 440685 for details

GOINGS ON AT GEDNEY HILL SERVICES AT HOLY TRINITY AND ST POLYCARP’S in JULY Sunday 9th No Service at either church Sunday 16th Holy Trinity Holy Communion 10.00am Sunday 23rd St Polycarp’s BCP Matins 9.30am

Sunday 30th July United Service @ 10.30amAt Holbeach Drove Methodist Chapel

If you have worries or concerns for a friend or family member and you would like them to be included in the parish prayers, please tell your church wardens. Janet Coles on (01406 330441) has agreed to take the names of those in especial need of our prayers in Gedney Hill & Holbeach DroveGedney Hill W.I. had their garden meeting this month, but as a treat we went to our new local museum at Throckenholt, it's the Museum of Technology, the history of Gadgets and Gizmos and it was BRIL-LIANT, the collection of phones, recording and telex machines and so much more, we spent the evening saying "My mum: grandma: I had one of those, worked with those, etc" Typewriters, remember them?  The collection is fantastic and there is also a war gallery which has things in it that I have never seen before.  It really is worth a visit and they were so welcoming to our group. Do go.Next month we have our favourite speaker, Dr Somerville who will be talking about Edith Cavell, someone whose name I'm familiar with but know little about her.

Patty HarrisGedney Hill Sec: 

Fun & Games

at theGedney Hill Family Fun Day

Sunday 9th July 2017 12 - 4pm

Church of England announces contactless payment trial to be launched this summer

25 June 2017The Church of England has announced plans to trial "tap and go" contactless payment systems for donations. Starting this summer, around 40 churches will be equipped with handheld terminals to process card payments - up to the value of £30 - with a view to offering the system to every diocese next year. The trial aims to encompass a variety of churches - urban, rural, large and small - to make sure that the needs of different parishes are considered when the scheme is offered nationally. John Preston, National Stewardship Officer, told the Financial Times: "We're aware that younger generations - and there are many people now who don't carry cash - want to give in differ-ent ways. Enabling them to give in a way that suits them is something we'd like to try." https://churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2017/06/church-of-england-announces-contactless-payment-trial-to-be-launched-this-summer.aspx  

25 July Collect for St James the Greater ApostleMerciful God,whose holy apostle Saint James, leaving his father and all that he had,was obedient to the calling of your Son Jesus Christand followed him even to death:help us, forsaking the false attractions of the world,to be ready at all times to answer your call without delay;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever.

St Matthew’s Sutton Bridge

Flower Festival13th to 17th July

13th to 15th 10am to 6pm, 16th Noon to 6pm, 17th 10am to 4pm

Stalls, Plants, Raffles, Refreshments, Honey & Bees

PLUS Saturday 15th July Jazz Concert 7.30pm to 9.00pm

£6.00 with free tea & coffee

Richard’s new addressRichard has asked me to give you all his new address and telephone number should you wish to stay in touch. Richard has also asked to remain on the circulation for the magazine so he can keep abreast of all we get up to.The Revd. Richard Morrison

35 Danestream CourtSea RoadMilford on Sea Hampshire SO41  0DATelephone number, when operational: Will be 01590  645295Sending you sincere wishes for long life, health and happiness in your new home Richard. We hope that the move went well and that you found the coffee percolator as well as the recyc-ling depot for all your cardboard boxes.

Irish House BlessingGod Bless the Corners of this House

and be the Lintel Blessed

And Bless the HearthAnd Bless the Board

And Bless Each Place of RestBless Each Door That Opens Wide To Strangers and to Kin

And Bless Each Crystal Windowpane that lets the Sunshine In And Bless the Rooftree Overhead

And Every Sturdy Wall The Peace of ManThe Peace of God

The Peace of Love to Allhttp://www.lords-prayer-words.com/prayers_before/house_blessing_prayer.html#ixzz4lhyjjQdf

Peace be to you and to your house and to all that you have.1 Samuel 25:6

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

Proverbs 24.3-4