The Family Services which have been in Lyng, Bawdeswell, Sparham and Elsing for the past five years have stopped.  This is because we were not achieving what they were started for – to draw families in. The only exception to this was Sparham where a regular number of children and parents attended.  A team of people will continue the Sparham service, the first Sunday of each month, for the benefit of all six parishes.  
They would like to make a rota for people to make the tea and coffee after the service. If you would be willing, please put your name down at the November service.

Details of the new ‘Worship & Praise Services’ at Bawdeswell, Elsing and Lyng are listed in the Rev Tom Candeland’s letter on page 27.

The Children’s Club which we had hoped to start in October, is now starting in January 2003 at Elsing Village Hall.  This  will be called ‘The Seekers’.  We hope to make it a fun meeting with a short Christian message in it.

Margaret Keeler.

FAREWELL TO THE RECTOR

At the Harvest Festival in Bawdeswell Church on 29th September Alan Cunnington took his last service in this church before his retirement.
We were joined by members of the congregation from Foxley and Bylaugh to bid farewell to Alan and Jean and present them with a retirement present, a new computer, the gift of our three villages.  The PCC also presented them with a planter for their new home.
They were very grateful and moved.  We pass on their thanks to all who contributed so generously to make the computer possible.
After the service we all enjoyed coffee, homemade sausage rolls and biscuits.  Thank you Sandi and Sue.

Thanks are also due to all who took part in the decorating of the church for the Harvest, and those who brought along gifts of produce.
This year the produce was donated to pensioners living locally.  Those living at Folland Court expressed their warm appreciation and thanks.

JULIAN GROUP MEETINGS for mid-Norfolk – 
November 2002 
November 1st 
November 15th   Further information from Irene Ames
November 29th      01362 688455  
 

Dear Friends

We have said Good-Bye to our Rector, Alan Cunnington and his wife, Jean, after just over six years in the Rectory in Lyng.  We are now in an Interregnum – that is an interval or pause between incumbents.

What are the practicalities of the vacancy?

The Rural Dean, the Revd Canon Michael Paddison and the Churchwardens are responsible for the benefice during a vacancy.  The Rural Dean may ask another priest to act under his direction.  Michael has asked me to take care of the day-to-day requirements in the six parishes.  All enquiries in relation to services, baptisms, marriages, funerals and pastoral care arrangements, should be made to me on 01603 871674, or alternatively, if you are in Lyng village you would be welcome to call at my home.

The Rural Dean is also the Rector of Reepham, and should you need to make direct contact with him, his telephone number is 01603 870220.

The Churchwardens have reviewed the pattern of services for the rest of this year and are, in overall terms, able to offer the same format with which the parishes are familiar.  There will be some changes to the ‘Family Service’.  The ‘traditional’ service will continue on the first Sunday of each month at St Mary’s Church in Sparham.

A new formula and structure for ‘Families’ will be a service of ‘Worship & Praise’ on the 2nd Sunday at Elsing and the 4th Sunday at Lyng, at 10.30am, with a variation to this fellowship at Bawdeswell Church on the 2nd Sunday at 6pm.  Local Service patterns will continue to be published in the parish magazines.

This year’s Service of Remembrance will be on Sunday, 10th November at St Margaret’s  Church, Lyng at 1045 am,  Our preacher will be the Archdeacon of Lynn, the Venerable Martin Gray.  The President and members of the Lyng and District Branch of the Royal British Legion will lead our act of Remembrance.

Please support your local parish church by your presence and prayers in this time of transition, as we take stock and prepare for a new chapter in the life of the benefice.