NEWSLETTER
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Mandy's Musings
This week I found myself in a situation where, whilst giving a presentation to a room of professionals, there was a lot of expectation on me. The expectations were different. Some were eager and excited by my topic, others were sceptical and ready to question, and some were intrigued as they didn't know me at all. It was an important meeting and the subject was key to the debate being had. Everyone had a stake in the proceedings and so I was very nervous. It didn't help that the room was airless with no natural light, or that the first speaker went 45 minutes over their allotted time. By the time I got up to speak, I was literally shaking. However, I decided to start with a joke - an old and corny one that I had actually told in Newton last Sunday - and that I hoped would raise a smile in this very serious room. As I told the joke, I felt myself relax and warm into the moment, hoping for a good response when I got to the punchline. I didn't get uproarious laughter but a few wry smiles did help to lighten the serious tone and at least, I felt better and more able to continue with my presentation. I relaxed and gave it my best shot.
Meeting other people's expectations, or at least trying to, takes a lot of our energies and focus. We know the scripture 'Judge not, so that you may not be judged', I am sure, but there is part of our humanity that cannot help feeling that we are judged, particularly if we perceive that we are not meeting other people's standards or expectations. A large part of having good mental health is realising that each of us 'is enough' exactly as we are. We don't have to meet another person's expectation. We are enough. God sees us that way too. Through His Son, Jesus, he tells us not to try too hard to live up to others' expectations - Mathew 11: 28 says 'Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me... for my yoke is easy and my burden is light'. This speaks to me largely of our mental lives, our worries and our fears. God wants our minds to be free of these; to be light and easy, full of his grace and love so that we can live without burden.
And so, feeling much lighter after I had finished my presentation and left the meeting, I went home... and relaxed in my hot tub!
Every blessing,
Mandy
Newton Village Harvest Supper
7pm, 28 September 2024
Newton Village Hall
Come together for the annual Newton Village Harvest Supper at Newton Village Rooms. Enjoy a welcome drink followed by a meat-based or vegetarian cottage pie with peas, a traditional English fruit crumble and cheese and biscuits to follow, all for £15 per head. Wine and soft drinks available on the night for a reasonable donation.
After the meal, there will be a talk on all matters farming by Charles Garrard, agronomist and environmental adviser and local Newton resident.
Prime Brass concert
7.30pm, Saturday 9 November
All Saints' Church, Harston
We welcome back Prime Brass to All Saints’ Church in Harston for an evening of stirring music. Prime Brass will be offering a range of musical styles, including some echoing Remembrance themes and various items at the lighter end of the spectrum. Refreshments will be served in the interval.
Food Hub
Wed & Sat 11.30-1.00pm in Harston Baptist Church email: harstonfoodhub@gmail.com
Harston Community Foodhub has two separate sections that operate in different ways and have different aims.
FOOD BANK
The ‘Food Bank’ provides emergency food support to residents of Harston and the surrounding villages
(mainly Hauxton, Foxton, Newton, Haslingfield, Barrington and Shepreth). It is part of a network of food banks that operate in South Cambridgeshire. Bags of non-perishable food are made up using food donated or bought with donations. Support from the food bank is intended to help people through a crisis.
FRESHFOOD LARDER
The ‘Fresh Food Larder’ distributes fruit, vegetables and bread and is part of an initiative that helps to avoid food waste. Donations of surplus stock are picked up from local supermarkets and farm shops by volunteers (often the night before) or brought in by local growers. Whilst much of the food is collected by people visiting the food bank, food from the fresh food larder is available to everyone no matter where they live or the circumstances they are in.
Ways to support the Foodhub
By making food donations - at the hub or in designated containers outside the Baptist Church, at Harston Primary School or the Harston shop.
By donating money to our bank account:
Harston Community Food Hub
Lloyds Bank
Sort code 30-99-50
Account number 11912862
or the village shop collection tin or via JustGiving (see our Facebook link)
By volunteering: contact them on harstonfoodhub@gmail.com
By using it.
Trumpington Memory Cafe
Every third Wednesday of the month,10am-12 noon at The Pavilion, Paget Road, (opposite Anstey Way), Trumpington, Cambridge, CB2 9JF
Run jointly by Trumpington Parish Church and the Rotary Club.
A place where people with varying forms of memory loss can visit with their carers and support each other and have fun. Call 01223 840268 to book a place and please give your name(s).
Free admission to Ely Cathedral
All electoral roll members are eligible for a free pass to Ely Cathedral. If you would like one, please fill in this form and ask Mandy or a churchwarden to sign it. You can then present the form at the Cathedral to get your pass.
MISSION PLAN
You can read the Benefice Mission Plan here.