Notes from around the Parishes, March 2019

Harpley & the Massinghams

A message from Rev’d Judith

The English word ‘Lenten’ derives from the lengthening of days
after winter as we move into spring, a time of growth and renewal.
The Christian observance of Lent has its origins in the ancient
church and the preparation of candidates for baptism. Easter was
the only time when baptisms were carried out and so the days
leading up to Easter held particular significance for baptismal
candidates - it was the final stage in their long preparation to
become members of the Christian church.
Lent was also a time of preparation for those who had been excommunicated,
thrown out of the church for ‘grave and public sin’. Lapsed Christians were
reconciled and the excommunicated re-admitted to the Church’s sacramental life in
time for the great celebration of Easter, after the completion of a period of penance.
It was not long before the Church came to realise the benefits to all Christian
people of such a period of preparation, in order to be truly ready to celebrate the
death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. Over time the Church’s rules governing
the observance of Lent have softened. In the early centuries penitence, self-denial,
almsgiving, prayer, fasting and study were all rigorously demanded.
A 12th century poem records:
“Now is the healing time decreed, for sins of heart and word and deed,
when we in humble fear record the wrong that we have done the Lord.”
It is interesting that the word healing is used here, suggesting that even in the
earliest times Lent had a positive pastoral focus; it was a time of reconciliation,
where people’s spiritual shortcomings could be forgiven and made right with God.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux writes: “Sorrow for sin is indeed necessary but it should
not involve endless self-preoccupation. You should dwell also on the glad
remembrance of the loving kindness of God.”
How can we, in the 21st century, take full advantage of the season of Lent? Perhaps
a good place to start is to ask: What does ‘Lent’ really mean to me this year? What
do I need to do to get the most out of this opportunity? How can I re-boot my life?
Jesus chose to spend time alone, retreating into the austere environment of the desert
to pray; he shows us that having personal space, peace and quiet, is important. Less
is more... God will not accept false piety. God knows all our shortcomings, and he
loves us still. If we act fairly, with generosity, compassion and justice, God will
reward us. There is a lovely phrase in Isaiah: “you shall be like a watered garden.”
How wonderful, the profusion of a watered garden! Lent offers us all an inspiring
new beginning, to discover a little more about how God is working in our lives.
Have a joyful Lent,
With my love and prayers, Judith
SERVICES ACROSS THE GROUP in March
Friday, March 1st ~ (Women’s) World Day of Prayer
2pm Pott Row Methodist Chapel
“Come - Everything is Ready!”.
Everyone is welcome at this service now called World Day of
Prayer. Women of Slovenia have prepared this year's service, and they
encourage us to reflect on the barriers they have faced since the end of the
Second World War when their country was a part of Yugoslavia – a Marxist
socialist republic. They share the challenges they have met and the hopes they
have for the future.

Sunday, March 3rd ~ The Sunday next before Lent

0930 NO SERVICE St Lawrence’s, Harpley
1100 Holy Communion St Mary’s, Great Mass
0830 Holy Communion All Saints’, Ashwicken
1030 Holy Communion St Botolph’s, Grimston
1030 Morning Praise St Nicholas’, Gayton
3pm Prayer Meeting the Rectory, Gayton
6pm Sung Evensong St Andrew’s, Congham

Weds, 6th March 2019

Ash Wednesday

Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes,

9am at St Lawrence’s, Harpley
7pm at St Botolph’s, Grimston

Sunday, March 10th ~ The first Sunday of Lent

1030 Group Holy Communion St Andrew’s, Little Massingham
4pm The Gap Pott Row Methodist Chapel

Sunday, March 17th ~ The second Sunday of Lent also St Patrick’s Day
0930 Holy Communion St Andrew’s, Little Massingham
1100 Family Service St Mary’s, Great Massingham
1115 Sung Holy Communion St Lawrence’s, Harpley
0830 Holy Communion All Saints’, Roydon
1030 Holy Communion St Nicholas’, Gayton
1030 Morning Praise St Botolph’s, Grimston
Weds, March 20th ~ 9am Holy Communion at St Botolph’s, Grimston
Sunday, March 24th ~ The third Sunday of Lent
1100 Holy Communion St Mary’s, Great Massingham
0830 Holy Communion St Andrew’s, Congham
1030 Family Service St Botolph’s, Grimston
3pm Celtic Service St Mary’s, Gayton Thorpe

Sunday, March 31st ~ The 4th Sunday of Lent

Mothering Sunday also known as Refreshment Sunday NOTE: Clocks Change to BST
0930 A Service for Mothering Sunday St Lawrence’s, Harpley
1100tbc Family Service for Mothering Sunday St Mary’s, Great Massingham
0830 Holy Communion All Saints’, Roydon
1030 Mothering Sunday Celebration St Nicholas’, Gayton
Weds, April 3rd ~ 9am Holy Communion at St Lawrence’s, Harpley
Sunday, April 7th ~ The fifth Sunday of Lent
0930 NO SERVICE St Lawrence’s, Harpley
1100 Holy Communion St Mary’s, Great Mass
0830 Holy Communion All Saints’, Ashwicken
1030 Holy Communion St Botolph’s, Grimston
1030 Morning Praise St Nicholas’, Gayton
3pm Prayer Meeting St Andrew’s, Congham

Lent Study Group ~ ‘Walking to Glory’ Rev’d Judith will lead a series of 5
studies during Lent. Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 8:30pm; March 12th, 19th
& 26th and April 2nd at ‘Cobwebs’, Gt Massingham. (Chez Kim & Alan Frazer)

Lent Lunches: ~ In Harpley, from 12:30 until 2pm on Mondays.

In aid of the Purfleet Trust – supporting the homeless in King’s Lynn.
Date Venue Host
11th March Hector’s Barn Amanda & Ian Rix
18th March The Old Rectory, Nethergate Lucy & Jerry Brown

25th March Rose Cottage, Brickyard Lane Jean Pocklington

1st April 22, Back Street Gina & Roger Wagg

8th April Hillside, Short Lane Jane & Philip O

15th April Flint Cottage, 3 Back Street Clem C & David M

Do come and join us to share a light lunch and some convivial company while
supporting a worthy cause.
The Crown Nominations Commission will meet on 11th and 12th March to
consider the appointment of a new Bishop of Norwich. Your prayers are
especially asked for in the 9 days, 3rd to 11th Mar, leading up to this. A Novena
of Prayer booklet with suitable readings and prayers is available from:
https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/article?id=3980
Thank you to Jean Pocklington and her sister, Margaret Collishaw, whose
excellent photos were used to make the splendid Harpley calendar for 2019. A
donation of £904 has been made to the church.

From the Registers:

8th February at Mintlyn
Jeanne Kathleen Howlett age 93 (formerly of Gt Massingham)
21st February Funeral & Burial at St Mary’s, Great Massingham.
Derick John Drewery age 86

Congham Coffee & Cake

Saturdays 2nd March & 6th April,
in St Andrew’s; 1030 to 12 noon; £3 (free refills)
Great Massingham Afternoon Teas are held at
3, Abbeyfields during the colder weather , Every Wednesday from 2pm
Thanks to Mary and Judith for their continuing hospitality.
Come & Sing with Julian Thomson: Meets fortnightly at 10am on
Friday mornings in St Mary’s, Gt Massingham. This is a good time to
get together for a vocal warm-up with a variety of songs (sometimes preparing a
piece for a Sunday service). All welcome: contact Julian on 01485 520721.
Reimagining Church ~ “How will we allow ourselves to be stretched to a new place where
Jesus Christ may be seen afresh?” - The Bishop of Lynn introducing the Diocesan
Mission Strategy.
There will be a series of meetings in Harpley to consider
‘How does our parish see our church?’: A short service of morning prayer at
9:30am followed by coffee and discussion; do come and give us your views!
Weds 13th March at the Old Rectory, Nethergate then 20th & 27th venue tba
For more information see our website: www.ggmbenefice.uk
Team Vicar Judith Pollard, The Rectory, Grimston 01485 601251
To arrange Baptisms, Marriages, or Funerals please contact the Rev’d Judith (her
day off is Friday).
Please send items for inclusion in the April issue of the ‘Parish Notes’ to the editor
by 20th March ~ Rosemary Mehers rosemarymehers@hotmail.com or Tel: 01485 521866
The Vacancy in See Prayer

Eternal God, our shepherd and guide,

in your mercy give your Church in this Diocese
a shepherd after your own heart
who will walk in your ways,
and with loving care watch over your people.
Give us a leader of vision and a teacher of truth.
So may your Church grow and be built up,
and by your grace accomplish more than we can imagine,
for the glory of your name,
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen