Willersley Castle Parish Weekend

2011 Willersley Castle Parish Weekend. Planning ahead is very difficult to commit yourself to events, we know. But if you would like to go to Willesley Castle in January 2011 and can't think that far ahead, please just think would you LIKE to go? If the answer is yes, please hurry and let Judith James know asap as she must give Willesley numbers by the end of June (which is on Wednesday)! We had a wonderful weekend this January and would like more people to join us. This week's events are:

• Tuesday 8.00pm - Jewelry-making evening in St Mary's Hall with Cora. (Tickets £5)
• Wednesday at 12noon - Judith is hosting a lunch in aid of Ethiopiaid
• Wednesday at 1.45pm - House Group meets at Walnut Gardens
• Thursday 8.00pm - Abbot Group meets at the Nag's Head
• Friday 10-12noon - Coffee Morning in Church
• Sunday 4.00pm - Teatime Sunday in the Hall
• Sunday 5.00pm - Sunday Sanctuary BBQ in the Rectory garden

A lovely June weekend.

Why not spend a fine summer's evening tonight (Friday 25th June) at a concert by Carlton Brass Band at Whatton House Gardens to raise funds for the Help for Heroes Charity? Cheese and wine are included in the £10 ticket price (£5 for children).

It looks like the weather will stay sunny and warm tomorrow, Saturday, 26th June for the Strawberry Fair at East Leake Methodist Church too. Tickets are £3.50 payable at the gate if you don't already have your ticket to include sampling the strawberries!

Don't forget in St Mary's Hall on Tuesday, 29th June the Jewelry-making evening, 8.00-9.45pm. Tickets for the evening can be obtained from Cora at a cost of £5.

We welcome newcomers

On Sunday we welcomed Revd George Punshon (8am Service) and Revd Canon Philip Humphreys (9.30am Service) while the Rector is hopefully enjoying a well earned break. The All Stars children went to the Hall while some of the parents and visitors came to the 9.30am service. It's that time of year when people are on holiday and likely to visit a church close to where they're staying. It's lovely to meet you, so please come along and say hello. You'll be sure of a welcome.

You'll be pleased to know that Rex Davis succeeded in his Zip Wire Challenge across the River Trent last weekend. Well done, Rex.

Rather you than me!

Rex has an Aqua Box at the back of church which needs filling with various items if you can help.

On Saturday, the weather was dry for the Carnival Parade and many people turned out to see it, and enjoy the stalls and entertainment later. There's always a good chance you're likely to meet old friends you haven't seen for some time even though they live in East Leake. The Parish Council are to be commended for all their hard work in bringing the community together for the day.

There are many events going on throughout June so be sure to check the website on the blog.

This week has been designated Armed Forces Week, so please support all our brave servicemen who are overseas and let them know we're thinking about them. Get out those Union Jacks, if you've already got the England flag out!

On Sunday 27th June is Stanford Church's Patronal Festival when there will be a barbecue and children's activities at the church 3-6pm. This will be followed by Songs of Praise at 6pm.

Mon. 28th June, 12.30pm. The Children's Society Ploughman's & Pud lunch. Contact Chris for details and to book.

Tues. 29th June, 8pm. Jewelry Making Evening in the Hall. See Cora for details.

Civic Service for Rushcliffe Mayor

This Sunday, following the 8.00am and 9.30am Worship Together services, there is a special Civic Service for Rushcliffe's new Mayor, Mrs Marie Males at 3.00pm at St Mary's. Members of the congregation are welcome to join the invited guests for this service.

There are some exciting events being planned - see Forthcoming Events column or on our website (see the link).

Some reminders:

Don't forget to fill in your response form for the Development Plan. The PCC needs to hear from you ALL! The summary and the forms are at the back of church, but will be collected in soon. The forms are being collated and the results will be used at the PCC Away Day in July. Please be patient for feedback, as the forms are coming in slowly and the results are needed to plan for each area for us to proceed.

Grand Day Out - Thursday 22nd July. This is a one day event at St Mary's, organised on the lines of the 'Holidays at Home' for the elderly and disabled in the East Leake Community. The day will recreate a day at the seaside. If you can help with this day, please contact Pam or Gill. See the poster and flyers at the back of church.

Sacred Dance Workshop, Saturday 2nd October. - We would like an idea of how many are interested in a Dance Workshop. Please speak to the Rector.

Willersley Castle, January 28th-31st 2011. Yes, it's time to sign up for our exciting weekend get-together at Willersley as it is booked up very quickly. There's always something for everyone. Please sign the form at the back of church or let Judith know. Numbers are needed by the end of June!

Adventurous folks.

East Leake folks are nothing if not adventurous. Nearly 40 people turned up for The Big Sing on Saturday at St Mary's - as advertised, all ages came along for Suzzie Vango's workshops. We started at 10.30am and other than two short breaks and one for lunch we worked hard until 4.oopm. Suzzie taught us well and chivvied our motley crew into some sort of choir to provide around 20 people a concert at 4.30pm. Many thanks are due to Suzzie and Abi, our choirmistress for organising and running the most enjoyable day. Thanks are also due to those who provided drinks and lots of water to soothe thirsty throats throughout the day. Most of all thank you to all those folks who came along and sang their hearts out. If you enjoyed the day and would like another one some time, let us know by emailing us. We all brought packed lunches and were able to have a picnic outdoors thanks to the hot, sunny weather. The relaxed group in the photo was NOT suffering from exhaustion! A member of St Mary's congregation, Rex Davis will be risking life and limb in The Big Zip (June 12th and 13th) to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care. It is a Zip wire challenge over the River Trent from the River Crescent Complex to Lady Bay - 220 metres across from a 30 metre platform. Each person hopes to raise at least £100, so please support Rex in his challenge. This is a very worthy cause.

Voices at the ready?

Are you ready for The Big Sing to finish off the Half Term holiday this Saturday at St Mary's? It's an event for the whole community, not just for those who go to church. If you like to sing, just come along on Saturday at 10 am to register (Adults £3 and Children £2). Professional singer, Suzzie Vango will be running the workshops. All ages and abilities are welcomed AND you don't have to read music! Come and enjoy yourselves. There will a concert at 4.30pm for those who would like to come and listen to the results of everyone's efforts of the day.

Sunday is another busy day for St Mary's.

Holy Communion at 8.00am

Parish Communion at 9.30am

Let's Praise! at 11.15am

Sunday Sanctuary for young people at 5.00pm

And in St Mary's Hall, there will be Teatime Sunday for young families at 4.00pm complete with a light tea.

If you'd like to join us for any of these please come along and make some new friends.