Welcome to the Quintet Benefice, a family of five churches in North Norfolk, serving the local community in Aylmerton, Beeston Regis, Gresham, East Runton, West Runton and offering a warm welcome to visitors.
All our churches are open daily.
Many thanks for your interest, we hope to see you soon.
HELLO FROM WILLIAM
Dear Friends,
Life often seems to change more than we expect.
I started with this sentence in my Letter which I wrote for the Quintet News in the February/March edition. Then the Retired Clergy knew that Jeremy had a date to retire but this had not been made public, so we could not mention this.
We now know Jeremy’s plans and there will be the opportunity for all of us to thank him for his ministry in helping the Churches progress. He has been a good presence in both the Benefice and community more generally. We hope his and Lesley’s plans for the next stage in life will work out well.
In the meantime, our Archdeacon, Catherine Dobson, has met the Churchwardens and Retired Clergy to discuss going forward in the Vacancy. She said that her most important comments were twofold.
One was to seek God’s help for ‘Discernment’ in looking for a new Rector. Every Priest is different and has different abilities and gifts. I have always felt in any Parish that its nature results from the contributions of all the Clergy in enabling the Church to grow.
Discernment can help us see what the Churches need and what a prospective Priest might have to offer and contribute.
The other comment is Prayer. With time spent in prayer one is giving God the opportunity to alert us to what He may be saying or indicating to us individually or as a Benefice.
However, life goes on in the meantime, and we are coming to the main summer season. The regular things in looking after a Church continue as well as the ongoing work in the Parish.
But with the summer we hope that many visitors will wish to visit our Churches. Some are larger and can easily attract people. Others are smaller but can often offer a quieter or more intimate presence. Perhaps the best thing any Church can offer is a warm welcome and presence.
For me, I also enjoy the architectural features and find it fascinating to see how they have developed. But the main thing is to point our praise and glory to God.
Looking after the buildings along with everything else can be demanding and often difficult. I like to think that the effort can be a sign of our own service and love to God; maybe others will feel that there has been time and effort spent there. When it is hard, God does not expect success but rather loyalty and faithfulness in serving Him. What he offers for us is his love, strength and guidance to sustain us in our work and lives.
Clergy come and go (they seem to move around more frequently these days) but the Churches and Parishes continue. We value what each Priest and each member gives in their individual ways. And in this respect we appreciate all that Jeremy has done for us here.
William
Let us pray:
Lord God,
bless your servant Jeremy as he prepares to leave us and begin the next chapter of his life,
that in all he does he would know your presence and your peace.
We give thanks for the gift of Jeremy’s time with us and his ministry in this place,
and we ask your blessing on Jeremy and Lesley as they take the next steps in their journey of life.
Amen
PRAYER CORNER
“Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares for you”.
1 Peter 5:7
Please pray--
“STREAMS”
On Pentecost Sunday the Diocese of Norwich launched "STREAMS" which forms part of an exciting and emerging diocesan vision and strategy, with this first phase focusing entirely on Stories. Below are extracts from Bishop Graham’s letter to the Parishes:
“STREAMS is the culmination of multiple conversations, ideas and feedback from parishes and chaplaincies and it has enjoyed strong support by the Diocesan Synod. We all wish to see new people come to be a part of the life of our churches and congregations and we are hopeful for this journey ahead.
STREAMS offers us a simple invitation: to notice where God is already at work in people’s lives, to listen well, and to grow in confidence as we share stories of faith, hope, and everyday discipleship. It marks the beginning of living out our diocesan vision – to see every person deepening their life as a disciple of Jesus, prayerfully, pastorally, and prophetically.
Many people find it difficult to speak about faith, even within church life. Yet throughout the Gospels, Jesus invited people to tell their stories, by asking questions.
STREAMS Stories seeks to create simple and welcoming opportunities for people to do just that, helping us nurture a culture in which sharing our faith becomes something natural and life-giving.
I encourage every parish to make space for story-sharing in ways that feel appropriate to your context, whether during worship, in small groups, over coffee after services, in schools, or pastoral gatherings. These moments need not be polished or formal. The aim is simply to give people confidence and permission to speak naturally about faith and life, or to ask questions they may never previously have felt able to ask.”
We can all find it easy to talk to someone we know, or a stranger at the bus stop or in a shop, about a favourite food/recipe, TV show, job, or a recent holiday but could we talk to them about our faith?
We probably say, we cannot do that because:
· It’s too personal or private
· I wouldn’t really know what to say
· I don’t have the right to force my faith on anybody else
· I wouldn’t feel able to speak intelligently about my faith
· I’m worried or embarrassed about how people will respond
But as Bishop Graham says:
"STREAMS Stories seeks to create simple and welcoming opportunities for people to do just that, helping us nurture a culture in which sharing our faith becomes something natural and life-giving."
So why not give it a go and share your faith story with someone.
Visit the website for further information: https://exploringstreams.org/
The website also has a section about Prayer.
Prayer is a way of getting to know God – listening, learning, and sharing ourselves and our needs with him. Through prayer, we begin to discover that he cares for us and wants to guide and help us. Prayer is not something reserved for a particularly holy few; it is open to everyone. Many people turn to prayer in times of crisis, but God wants us to know that he is present in every moment, not just the difficult ones.
In “Pray the Small Stuff” there are suggested prayers which you can say whilst boiling a kettle, for preparing food, for looking in a mirror, for pulling the curtains, for charging your mobile, etc. Here are a couple to get you started:
For Charging a Phone
Lord, as my phone is recharged,
recharge my spirit.
Renew my strength in you, and keep me connected to your love.
‘Those who hope in the Lord will
renew their strength.’ Isaiah 40:31
For Opening Curtains
Jesus, light of the world,
Chase away the darkness.
May your light fill this room and shine through my life today.
‘The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.’ John 1:9
“Pray The Small Stuff” can be found at:
https://online.flippingbook.com/view/681103856/6-7/
All our churches are open daily.
Many thanks for your interest, we hope to see you soon.
HELLO FROM WILLIAM
Dear Friends,
Life often seems to change more than we expect.
I started with this sentence in my Letter which I wrote for the Quintet News in the February/March edition. Then the Retired Clergy knew that Jeremy had a date to retire but this had not been made public, so we could not mention this.
We now know Jeremy’s plans and there will be the opportunity for all of us to thank him for his ministry in helping the Churches progress. He has been a good presence in both the Benefice and community more generally. We hope his and Lesley’s plans for the next stage in life will work out well.
In the meantime, our Archdeacon, Catherine Dobson, has met the Churchwardens and Retired Clergy to discuss going forward in the Vacancy. She said that her most important comments were twofold.
One was to seek God’s help for ‘Discernment’ in looking for a new Rector. Every Priest is different and has different abilities and gifts. I have always felt in any Parish that its nature results from the contributions of all the Clergy in enabling the Church to grow.
Discernment can help us see what the Churches need and what a prospective Priest might have to offer and contribute.
The other comment is Prayer. With time spent in prayer one is giving God the opportunity to alert us to what He may be saying or indicating to us individually or as a Benefice.
However, life goes on in the meantime, and we are coming to the main summer season. The regular things in looking after a Church continue as well as the ongoing work in the Parish.
But with the summer we hope that many visitors will wish to visit our Churches. Some are larger and can easily attract people. Others are smaller but can often offer a quieter or more intimate presence. Perhaps the best thing any Church can offer is a warm welcome and presence.
For me, I also enjoy the architectural features and find it fascinating to see how they have developed. But the main thing is to point our praise and glory to God.
Looking after the buildings along with everything else can be demanding and often difficult. I like to think that the effort can be a sign of our own service and love to God; maybe others will feel that there has been time and effort spent there. When it is hard, God does not expect success but rather loyalty and faithfulness in serving Him. What he offers for us is his love, strength and guidance to sustain us in our work and lives.
Clergy come and go (they seem to move around more frequently these days) but the Churches and Parishes continue. We value what each Priest and each member gives in their individual ways. And in this respect we appreciate all that Jeremy has done for us here.
William
Let us pray:
Lord God,
bless your servant Jeremy as he prepares to leave us and begin the next chapter of his life,
that in all he does he would know your presence and your peace.
We give thanks for the gift of Jeremy’s time with us and his ministry in this place,
and we ask your blessing on Jeremy and Lesley as they take the next steps in their journey of life.
Amen
PRAYER CORNER
“Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares for you”.
1 Peter 5:7
Please pray--
- For all the countries that are going through conflict and political instability; we ask for peace, and that their citizens be free from fear and know stability once more.
- For people throughout the world who struggle to get enough food. May God inspire us all to reach out with small acts of love, making a big difference, so that no one goes hungry.
- For the Church throughout the world: that it may be a sign of God’s love for all people and a beacon of hope for all who are in need.
- For all who are struggling financially.
- For our parish community: that we may be moved by God’s love to reach out to others in our turn, especially to those who are poor, so that no one may feel abandoned, forgotten or alone.
- For our Benefice and Parishioners, especially those who have died recently; those who are suffering with their health; and for everyone who is sick or afraid, bereaved or isolated; and we pray for all who support them. May God grant each of them peace and comfort, courage and perseverance.
- For our Ministry Team, Churchwardens and members of the Parochial Church Councils as we move into a Vacancy.
- For heavenly wisdom for those who are to choose a new Priest for this Benefice, that the one whom we receive may be a wise and gentle shepherd of your people: ready to serve us with joy, to build us up in faith, and to lead us by example in loving obedience to your Son.
- For an increase in the financial giving to our Benefice churches.
“STREAMS”
On Pentecost Sunday the Diocese of Norwich launched "STREAMS" which forms part of an exciting and emerging diocesan vision and strategy, with this first phase focusing entirely on Stories. Below are extracts from Bishop Graham’s letter to the Parishes:
“STREAMS is the culmination of multiple conversations, ideas and feedback from parishes and chaplaincies and it has enjoyed strong support by the Diocesan Synod. We all wish to see new people come to be a part of the life of our churches and congregations and we are hopeful for this journey ahead.
STREAMS offers us a simple invitation: to notice where God is already at work in people’s lives, to listen well, and to grow in confidence as we share stories of faith, hope, and everyday discipleship. It marks the beginning of living out our diocesan vision – to see every person deepening their life as a disciple of Jesus, prayerfully, pastorally, and prophetically.
Many people find it difficult to speak about faith, even within church life. Yet throughout the Gospels, Jesus invited people to tell their stories, by asking questions.
STREAMS Stories seeks to create simple and welcoming opportunities for people to do just that, helping us nurture a culture in which sharing our faith becomes something natural and life-giving.
I encourage every parish to make space for story-sharing in ways that feel appropriate to your context, whether during worship, in small groups, over coffee after services, in schools, or pastoral gatherings. These moments need not be polished or formal. The aim is simply to give people confidence and permission to speak naturally about faith and life, or to ask questions they may never previously have felt able to ask.”
We can all find it easy to talk to someone we know, or a stranger at the bus stop or in a shop, about a favourite food/recipe, TV show, job, or a recent holiday but could we talk to them about our faith?
We probably say, we cannot do that because:
· It’s too personal or private
· I wouldn’t really know what to say
· I don’t have the right to force my faith on anybody else
· I wouldn’t feel able to speak intelligently about my faith
· I’m worried or embarrassed about how people will respond
But as Bishop Graham says:
"STREAMS Stories seeks to create simple and welcoming opportunities for people to do just that, helping us nurture a culture in which sharing our faith becomes something natural and life-giving."
So why not give it a go and share your faith story with someone.
Visit the website for further information: https://exploringstreams.org/
The website also has a section about Prayer.
Prayer is a way of getting to know God – listening, learning, and sharing ourselves and our needs with him. Through prayer, we begin to discover that he cares for us and wants to guide and help us. Prayer is not something reserved for a particularly holy few; it is open to everyone. Many people turn to prayer in times of crisis, but God wants us to know that he is present in every moment, not just the difficult ones.
In “Pray the Small Stuff” there are suggested prayers which you can say whilst boiling a kettle, for preparing food, for looking in a mirror, for pulling the curtains, for charging your mobile, etc. Here are a couple to get you started:
For Charging a Phone
Lord, as my phone is recharged,
recharge my spirit.
Renew my strength in you, and keep me connected to your love.
‘Those who hope in the Lord will
renew their strength.’ Isaiah 40:31
For Opening Curtains
Jesus, light of the world,
Chase away the darkness.
May your light fill this room and shine through my life today.
‘The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.’ John 1:9
“Pray The Small Stuff” can be found at:
https://online.flippingbook.com/view/681103856/6-7/
If you would like to make a donation and help us to keep our churches open, please click on the button below:
SAFEGUARDING, HELP AND ADVICE
Safeguarding means protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of children and adults at risk of, or experiencing, emotional, psychological, physical or spiritual harm and/or neglect.
Safeguarding means enabling those who are affected to live safely, free from any kind of abuse or neglect. It is about people and organizations working together to prevent and reduce both the risks and actual experience of abuse in all of its forms.
We take safeguarding very seriously, at all of the Benefice Churches and care about all those we seek to serve within our churches and our communities.
We conform to the policy of Norwich Diocese which can be found at https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/about/safeguarding
If you believe that either yourself or someone you know may be at risk of harm or neglect, please contact the Benefice Safeguarding Officer Rev. Paul Yeomans 07437203535 to discuss your concerns and what the next steps might be.
Alternatively, you may contact the Norwich Diocese Safeguarding Team by email at [email protected] or by telephone on: 01603 882345.
If you yourself or someone you know is in immediate danger of being harmed then please call 999 to be advised by the emergency services.
