Upper Soar Benefice
Consisting of parishes Claybrooke Parva, Dunton Bassett, Frolesworth, Leire, Wibtoft and Ashby Parva in the county of Leicestershire.
MESSY CHURCH at ULLESTHORPE PRIMARY SCHOOL - JUNE 2024
Last week saw the upper Soar Benefice start its first Messy Church which took place at Ullesthorpe Primary School. We began the day as a whole school introducing the theme of the day - The Olympics and the text from the letter to the Hebrew’s about running the race that I set before us.
There were 5 activities:
The obstacle course repeated a second time carrying a heavy rucksack - talking about the different challenges in life and the weight we sometimes carry and how we can talk to God about the things that are weighing us down.
Next we created a cloud of witness mural - identifying the people who support us on our journey of life and how we also need help and encouragement on our journey of faith, just as athletes have a support network a they prepare for the Olympics.
Outdoors again we used natural materials to create Olympic rings and reminded ourselves that the Olympic symbol represents the coming together of the nations from across the world. The natural materials made us think about our stewardship of the environment and how that impacts nations from all over the world.
Our next activity was ‘keeping in shape’, challenged to throw bean bags into a bucket, as well as star jumps, standing on one leg. The focus here was on perseverance and how the Olympic athletes persevere in challenging circumstances, training for years. We too need training in our spiritual life and in following Jesus- we talked about prayer and the support of others in our journey of faith.
The last activity as using the Olympic rings for prayer and looking at the Olympic values of respect, excellence, friendship, courage, determination, inspiration and equality and how these relate to our lives as followers of a Jesus and how they might inspire our prayers.
At the end of the day the whole school gathered for our celebration worship.
A good time was had by all.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
(Permission for all photographs given)
Benefice Rogation Walk 2022 - worship reconnecting with the natural world beginning outside Ashby Parva Village Hall.
We continued to a local farm asking for God’s blessing for a sustainable future.
As we walked down Dunton lane we paused at a field with lots of sheep asking blessing on our animals and farmers and for good care of all God’s creatures.
Pausing at a stream we were reminded of the need of water to live and how precious it is, praying for those who are affected by drought often caused by man-made climate change.
Finally we made it to the apple orchard at Dunton Bassett Church giving thanks to God for gardens and allotments for the fruits of our labours.
Then a much needed rest and refreshments in the church before moving on to the wild area of the churchyard asking Gid to help us not to destroy but to protect the wild, free places of this planet which are a precious haven for wildlife, flora and fauna.
Arriving in Leire we stopped at the end of Stemborough lane outside some houses praying for those who lived there and for the homes in our Benefice.
Finally we came to rest in Leire churchyard where we were rewarded ith delicious coffee cake and tea.
A really enjoyable afternoon. Thanks you to those who planned the route and to those who provided the refreshments en route.
The weather was perfect and it was good to walk and chat and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and one another’s company.
Open The Book Easter Story 2022
It was good to welcome Claybrooke School to St Peter's Church in Claybrooke Parva for the Open the Book Easter Story, the first since all the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021.
Pray for Ukraine: Ashby Parva Church, Dunton Bassett and Leire Churches are all open daily for prayer and there is a prayer focus on Ukraine. Claybrooke Parva has a prayer tree outside the north door where you can tie your yellow or blue ribbon as you pray for the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia caught up in an unwanted war.
The prayer is from Christian Aid who seek to help those who have been displaced, who have lost homes and whose families have been separated by the war.
Benefice Team Up Diary: https://teamup.com/kso6bchdfue49i37qq
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