Page 21 - Herald October 2023

OCTOBER 2023
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE CHURCHES
THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 21
Countesthorpe
Methodist Church Notes from Angie Skerritt
NEW MINISTER
leadership programme.
Frances eventually arrived in Spalding
in 2016 as an ordained Probationer and returned to Leicestershire in 2021.
It is important to Frances to be a good pastor, caring for others, being part of the joys and sorrows of life and the importance of hospitality; just simple relationships for us all to grow in God’s grace for one another and for those in our community.
SKITTLES
Our annual Long Alley Skittles event on 31st August, at the Bull’s Head in Whetstone, was again an excellent evening with an excellent supper. I am pleased to report that no one was injured by wayward ‘cheeses’! It’s a risk one takes on such occasions!
THE 60s
We held our themed annual Afternoon Tea on 23rd September. The theme this year was ‘The 60s’; to dress in the style of the time was optional!
We are now looking forward to our new Methodist year with our new Minister, Frances.
AFTERNOON FELLOWSHIP
After a short break the theme for our Tuesday Afternoon Fellowship group’s first meeting in September was ‘New Beginnings’; being quite appropriate as the Methodist Year begins in September and we have a new Minister.
GARDEN PARTY
Our annual Garden Party was on the 3rd of September. The weather was kind to us and the admission charge of £2.50 covered many cups of tea and cakes. There were several stalls to browse, with the cake stall being the most popular.
HARVEST
The Harvest Festival is a specific occasion to thank the Lord, not just for the fruits of the earth, but also for all that the earth provides for our well-being. We celebrated this with our service on 17th September with donations for the Food Bank.
SUNDAY LUNCH
We had a ‘full house’ for our four course Sunday Lunch in July followed, at the beginning of August, with a fun Photographic Village Treasure Hunt and a jacket potato supper.
We are delighted to welcome our new Minister, Rev. Frances Ballantyne and her husband David. Frances joined us at the beginning of September but is no stranger to the area as they had lived in Leicestershire for some time.
In 2004 Frances was ordained within Hutton Free Church in Essex and returned to Leicestershire in 2008 to serve in the NHS as healthcare chaplain within community hospitals and mental health. After a casual remark in 2015 ’What about Methodism?’ they both joined the local Methodist Church and were involved in the Walk to Emmaus
Do you suffer from arthritis or joint ache? Discomfort in your back or neck? Have you recently sustained an injury? If so, come and visit us at
We are fully HCPC and CSP registered health professionals with over 15 year experience in musculoskeletal care, based at Countesthorpe Health Centre. Appointments and enquiries: 07904371388 www.salusphysiotherapy.co.uk
OPENING TIMES Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm Sat 8.30am - 5.30pm Sun 9.30am - 3.30pm
Cut Flowers,
Seasonal Bedding Plants & Compost
Fresh Meat & Poultry from local farmers
Turkeys & Cockerels