Author: MarkSanderson

Today is the Day of Pentecost, or Whit Sunday. A service created for the Ross and Archenfield Deanery by The Revd Ben Bentham is now on the website: https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services

The Friends of St Mary’s is making tentative plans to celebrate the hard work that has been going on in gardens around the area during the long lockdown.

At the moment we’d just like to hear from you if you are interested in being a part of it. You will not be committing yourself to anything and plans may well have to change or even be cancelled in the light of lockdown restrictions at the time.

Our intention is not to charge entry for this one but invite donations to local charities. We welcome gardens outside the town as well as in it for this one.

Please contact us by email if you’d be interested in opening your garden.

We’ve launched an online exhibition of creativity from the lockdown. It’s open to everyone in South Herefordshire. We’d like you to upload anything you’ve had a hand in creating in the last few weeks.

Visit the gallery https://rosslockdownexhibition.gallery where you can see what’s been exhibited so far and upload your own work.

This morning’s service is now live on the website: https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services

Look someone’s preparing for Ross does Come Dine With Me. It’s Melanie Mellor. The meal takes place tonight at 7 via Zoom and everyone anywhere is invited to join us for a bit of company while you eat a meal. The Bishop of Hereford and Deborah are coming.

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There are three tasty dishes from three Ross TV chefs on the website, but you can eat what you like. Joining instructions and much more at https://rawchurch.org.uk/come-dine.

Ross does Come Dine With Me is tomorrow. There’s still time to book your place at the table (or indeed, just turn up at 7pm) we’ll be pleased to have your company. Joining link and info at https://rawchurch.org.uk/come-dine

You can eat what you like, just join in for company. But if you want more inspiration here is a dessert from Lindy Wildsmith.

Here’s a recording of this morning’s live service.

Today (Thursday 21st May) is Ascension Day, an important day in the Christian calendar.

We have a live service from around our three churches in Zoom at 10.30. Joining link (Zoom) is at https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services If you can’t make it there will be a recording of the service on the same page shortly after the service.

Thy Kingdom Come – Each year between Ascension and Pentecost, the Archbishop of Canterbury invites us all to pray for the coming of God’s kingdom on earth as in heaven.

On our website you’ll find some ways to help you pray “thy Kingdom Come” this year. https://rawchurch.org.uk/tkc

The Rev’d Canon Christopher Blanchard was licensed as House for Duty Priest of St Michael and All Angels’ Church Walford for another year by Bishop Richard Jackson on Friday.

The Zoom service attended by the Bishop’s Chaplain, Prebendary Brian Chave; Churchwardens Gay Chinn and Murray Alston; Rector the Rev’d Sean Semple, and Mrs Sarah Blanchard. We wish Chris every blessing for the year ahead in his valued ministry at Walford. 

Zoom is not working today, and it looks like the problems persist. That is why our virtual coffee session this morning was a flop and why many were unable to join.

We plan to try again at 7.30 for a virtual drink. Please use the same link as for virtual coffee https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services

This morning’s service is live on the website now: https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services

Have you booked your place at the Ross does Come Dine With Me table yet? The feast happens on Saturday at 7.

Three videos of three tempting recipes by three local chefs: https://rawchurch.org.uk/come-dine

Here’s this week’s pastoral video from Sean – Week 8 – Waiting

Have you booked your place at the Come Dine With Me Table? https://rawchurch.org.uk/come-dine

Here’s a suggested starter for Ross does Come Dine With Me. If you’ve not booked your place at the table for Saturday 23rd May yet visit https://rawchurch.org.uk/come-dine

Sean completed his challenge yesterday. He climbed Table Mountain (with the aid of the Rectory Stairs) in 2 hours and 31 minutes.

Sponsors were invited to make a guess as to how how long it would take him, the closest estimate was Peter Raddenbury (St Mary’s treasurer – with an obvious head for numbers). Here is Sean, in mountain climbing cassock and trainers) presenting Peter with his bottle of South African wine just now. Is that two metres?

There is still time for you to donate to Sean’s fund which is at the moment at £2,500 with the benefit of Gift Aid https://rawchurch.org.uk/table-mountain.

We thank all the generous donors.

Here’s a fun idea, Ross-on-Wye’s take on Come Dine With Me! At least a virtual form of it and the only limit on numbers is the number of people we can get in a Zoom meeting.

Saturday 23rd May at 7 pm (Bank Holiday) – Book your place, learn more and find some home grown TV chef menus at https://rawchurch.org.uk/come-dine

Sean is nearing the top – the end is in sight. There’s still time to sponsor him though, he has raised in the region of £1500 so far.

This morning’s service has been created by the Deanery churches.

https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services

Here is the third message from Sean this week; this one all about his coming mountain climb. We’ve passed the £1000 mark in donations but there’s still time for yours! Have you sponsored him yet, he starts his climb on Monday at 7.30?

Much more detail at https://rawchurch.org.uk/table-mountain