Hello and happy new year!
For various reasons, there will not be a Praise in the Pub in January.
A decision will be made nearer to the time, whether to go ahead with February's (on 13th).
Many thanks to all who braved the weather to sing carols outside the pub in December - hopefully the warm mulled wine and mince pies helped a little?! (couple of pics attached)
Hope you have a blessed 2022.
With very best wishes
PiP team
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MORE PRISON VISITORS NEEDED
As prison visitors, we represent a group, which is founded on prayer, so prayer for the men (and women elsewhere) is always needed. We believe that no-one is beyond hope.
We go into HMP Berwyn to participate in the Sunday morning Services and get to know the men over a cup of coffee afterwards. We welcome them as they arrive at the chapel, which also gives the opportunity for some conversation. Sharing with them in this way is immensely beneficial and it means a lot to them. Frequency of visits is up to the individual, but we recognise that people are committed to their local church and therefore volunteers generally attend just one service a month (there are, of course, opportunities to volunteer in other areas of the prison ministry or attend more frequently, should you so desire).
We are currently very short of volunteers and would therefore love to invite committed Christians, who are prepared to adhere to strict prison guidelines and meet with the men without any prejudice, to attend our Sunday services.
A visit to Berwyn is not a ‘spectator sport'; it is a working visit. That introduction may sound a little heavy but there are strict security rules, which we all have to follow for both the men's and our protection. We can brief you before coming on any rules you need to be aware of.
The men love meeting the Sunday morning visitors because, from past experience, they feel safe with them, there are no hidden agendas and they can talk about ordinary things over a cup of coffee (again guidance can be given about what is safe from the visitor's standpoint). This helps them to feel part of the normal world again.
We would like to invite you to commit yourself to something, which has great value for the men, is exciting as you do not know what topics you might be discussing, is very meaningful and satisfying and, if nothing else an eye opening experience.
Having read our introduction, if a visit is not for you, please remember that both the men and the chaplains always need prayer, which is a key part of our ministry.
If you would like to find out more, please contact Joan and Rev. Michael Winwood on 01978 861640 or michael.winwood@btinternet.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
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NEWS FROM ORIEL ABOUT SUBSCRIPTIONS
Dear church leaders and CTOD reps,
As you may remember, last year the CTOD Executive took the decision that since the expenses for the year had been limited largely because of COVID and since the CTOD bank balance was in good shape, there was no need to ask for annual subs from member churches. This email is to let you know that the situation remains the same again for the year ahead. We have only a few bills to pay and we have sufficient funds to cover our expenses so there is no need to ask for subscriptions. We shall be grateful if you can kindly pass this message to the treasurer of your church.
With many thanks and with every good wish,
Oriel
Secretary to CTOD on behalf of the Executive
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Christian Bookshop opening hours:
Sunday - closed
Monday - open 10 till 4 (closed for lunch 12.30 - 1)
Tuesday - closed
Wednesday - open 10 till 4 (closed for lunch 12.30 - 1)
Thursday - open 10 till 4 (closed for lunch 12.30 - 1)
Friday - open 10 till 4 (closed for lunch 12.30 - 1)
Saturday - open 10 till 1
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St Oswald's Sunday morning Communion service is at 10.30, face to face and live streamed on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stoswaldsoswestry and the website https://www.stoswaldsoswestry.org.uk/
Also evening services, face to face at 6.30 pm and a new 4 pm worship time on Sundays.
Morning prayer is streamed each week day morning at 9 am on Facebook and St Oswald's website
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A message from Oriel. Please pass the number on to anyone you know who might be glad of the phone number:-
Just in case it may be helpful especially to any who do not use the internet, I see that this week "The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has launched a free national phone line as a simple new way to bring worship and prayer into people's homes while church buildings are closed because of the coronavirus.
Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line.
The line - which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 - has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind."
Fuller information is available on the following link -
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news (...)
Kind regards, Oriel
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Oswestry and Borders Foodbank News56 Beatrice Street, Oswestry.
Tel.: 01691 671940 Mobile Tel: 07399291955
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