News: Calverleigh September Round Up 2024: News: Calverleigh September Round Up 2024

As the latest edition of the Today Magazine goes to print and I write this preamble, the school holidays are drawing to an end, our young people will have been receiving their exam results and will hopefully gain what is needed for the next stage of their education, or for their future careers. The next school year will begin with the new intake of little ones to nurture and educate. The new year 7s begin their tentative steps settling into secondary education and older children moving on to college, or even university. We wish you all well in a new environment and hope it is both an enjoyable and informative time.

Times moves along so quickly, even with the absence of long hot summer days, but we trust that everyone has had a safe, enjoyable and relaxing summer break. Thankfully, there is still plenty of time for us to enjoy some sunshine before the nights really begin to draw in and day breaks later each day.

Now, cast your mind back to the height of summer when our Fathers’ Day family service was led by Nik. As a part of this service we were handed two playing cards with each suit representing a different area of prayer (heart = love, diamond = wealth, club = conflict, spade = work) to take home and use as daily prayer.  A birthday cake accompanied the tea/coffee after the service to celebrate a 40th birthday within the congregation.

Our family services are open to all ages and we would love to welcome you, your kids or your grandchildren. It is a service aimed at our young members (and those young at heart) with children’s worship songs, a craft or colouring activity plus traditional hymns and newer worship songs. This is followed by a time of fellowship with tea, coffee, squash and often a very generous selection of biscuits. Whether you’ve recently moved into Calverleigh or the surrounding area, or simply haven’t found a convenient time to pop in yet, please feel free to come along and meet us. The family service is held at 9.30am, usually held on the third Sunday each month, and lasts for about 40 - 45 mins. Please see the middle of this magazine or the website for more service information.

The potato growing competition took place at the village hall and our thanks go to Gillian & Mary for arranging this fun event with support from Irene, Louise and Tim. Instead of 'buying back' our wares this time, Tim suggested that donations were given. Together with the draw, a grand total of £500 was raised, with £400 going to St. Mary’s Church and a donation of £100 to Devon Air Ambulance. Growing conditions were not as favourable this year with weight totals down on previous years, but the winners are:

Men:

• 1st Geoffrey T (7lb 15oz),
• 2nd Kipper H (6lb 13oz),
• 3rd Richard W (1lb 14½oz),
• Lowest weight: Eric W;

Women:

• 1st Brenda T (7lb 15oz),
• 2nd Lorna T (6lb 9oz),
• 3rd Diana H (5lb 6oz),
• Lowest weight: Alex F (14oz).

Thank you to all who took part with growing their potatoes and to those who provided food for the bring and share supper.  Everything is greatly appreciated.

On 6 July the marriage of Emily and Marcus took place. The service was conducted by Emily’s cousin Rev’d Judith Swan. Some family and friends travelled from Australia to join the happy couple on their special day and even the church’s resident bat decided it wanted to join in. An overcast and windy day didn’t quell the love and happiness that could be felt all around the church, which was full to capacity.  Emily grew up in Calverleigh on her parents’ farm where the celebrations continued. We wish them a long and happy marriage.

The very next day the weather brightened to enable us to actually have our Open-air service in the open air.  The sun shone and the birds were singing as we enjoyed the lovely surroundings of our church praising God with songs, reflective music and a poem.

Our congratulations to go all who have celebrated a significant birthday, birth of a child or an anniversary over the past two months.

To those who have been unwell over the summer months with these nasty viruses that have been doing the rounds, we hope that by now you are feeling better. Our prayers are with you if you’re not, of course. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost a loved one, whether recently or longer ago and pray that God may place people around you to comfort in your grief.

If you would like to be prayed as part of our monthly prayer time (first Saturday of each month) or during a service please contact Julie by email at thegoldsworthys @ yahoo.co. uk or on 01884 255248. Dave is always ready to receive any news under Calverleigh whether it be a celebration, an upcoming event or news of interest to the community. Email Calverleigh@exevalleychurches.org.

Forthcoming Events

Harvest weekend: On Saturday 14 Sept we’re having a bring and share harvest supper in the village hall (please bring your own drink) with some fun quizzes and possibly a speaker. Please contact Aubrey or Jackie if you would like to attend.

On Sunday 15 Sept at 9.30am we’re having our Family service with Harvest Thanksgiving, which will be followed by a family picnic lunch (please bring your own) and some simple games on the village green, weather permitting, if wet in the village hall. Tea, coffee and squash will be available in the hall.

Donations of tinned/dried goods and toiletries will be collected for CHAT in church.

Autumn Fayre: Saturday 16 November from 10.30am - 2pm. Competitions, local crafts, Chinese Auction, Books, children’s craft table, refreshments and much, much more. Advertising posters will be available nearer the time.