St Peter and St Paul’s Church News

Delicious Puddings and Delightful Poems
The church hall was full of eager participants for this intriguingly titled evening arranged by Lesley Middleton. We were not disappointed!
The poet from Blaby, Mel Wale, has been writing poetry for a great many years. He introduced the poems explaining what had triggered the ideas off. Some of the poems were amusing some thought provoking, all well written.
During the evening there were two intervals where we could enjoy an amazing selection of home made sweets. It was difficult to make a decision as to what to have but, no need to worry, there were more than enough for several helpings!
The added bonus was that £223 was raised for church funds.
Confirmation and Communion Sunday 22nd September
The church was packed for this service, despite the appalling weather, as twenty-one candidates from Queniborough, Rothley, Syston, Stocking Farm, Beaumont Lays, Thurmaston and Thrussington were presented for Confirmation to the Bishop The Right Reverend Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani.
Young people from Rothley and Syston formed a band to accompany two of the hymns. All the singing was full hearted and enthusiastic making this a truly joyful occasion.
The Bishop gave the sermon on on the theme of finding ones true identity, embracing all aspects of ourselves, but which for the Christian believer reaches its fulfilment as a follower of Jesus.
Afterwards there was an opportunity for photos with the Bishop and refreshments in the hall with many delicious home made cakes supplied by the Syston congregation.
St. Peter and St. Paul’s Ladies Friendship Circle
Despite it being a very wet evening twenty four ladies were at the meeting on September 23rd to hear about the work of the Air Ambulance and witness the presentation of a cheque of £1500 which the group had raised over the past two years. We were then told of the work of the Air Ambulance by Paul Bonnett, explaining especially transporting children.
There is a special ambulance used when carrying children as there are often special needs for their care. That ambulance has ‘a ‘pod’ which means the patient can be enclosed so that they are not disturbed by the noise of the helicopter engines and rota blades. This machine also has space to allow one parent to travel with their child.
The country is divided into to two – north and south but sometimes this can be arranged differently according to the situation.
Following the speaker we had been ask to bring an item which was special to us – the item title to begin with the letter A. Several members had brought something and there was a great diversity of items with nostalgic and amusing memories.
The meeting concluded with the usual refreshments.
Harvest Celebrations
As usual for this service the 10am and Eleven30 congregations combined to make this a truly joyful occasion.
The church was wonderfully decorated with the windows reflecting the themes of thanksgiving for the harvest of the sea, of fruits and vegetables, grains and drinks. The font had an amazing display including the traditional harvest loaf made by Sheila Borderick.
The theme of the service was ‘Rooted and Grafted in God’ illustrated by the way the potato is formed with its deep roots sustaining the plant until ready to harvest. A collage was created by the children using potato prints and with prayers on potato shaped paper from everyone.
Refreshments were served in the church while the hall was prepared for a harvest lunch with jacket potatoes and donated puddings.
The collection raised over £400 for work in Ethiopia to change the future of communities of families in poverty through providing potato seeds and equipment to ensure healthy harvests to help beat hunger.
Ride and Stride
Intrepid cyclists Theresa Morgan and Terry Farmer undertook to gather sponsors for them to cycle round churches in the area to raise money for the Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust. Between them they raised a great £172 half of which goes to the trust and half back to the Parish Church.
Traditional Christmas Fayre 7th December
Plans are well ahead for our Christmas Fayre on Saturday 7th December in the Church Hall, Lower Church Street running from 10.00am to 2.00pm.
Stalls in the hall will include our fabulous Xmas Cake Stall, Bottle Stall, and beautiful hand-made gifts stall as well as many others.
Refreshments throughout, including bacon butties to be served from 11.00am to 1.00pm.
The church will be open with our Christmas memory tree.