On 31st July there was a joint service at St John’s, Shenstone as is usual on the fifth Sunday of the month. This time, however, as is not usual, the number of Stonnall church-goers outnumbered those of Shenstone. Maybe everyone had just gone on holiday! It was a pleasant service, nevertheless.
The following Wednesday morning, Coffee Club was back to normal in its numbers and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Several people remarked that it was lovely to meet there every week, so it really seems to be successful. At 12 o’clock most were still seated at the tables and obviously had nowhere else to go! The next meeting is on Wednesday, 10th of August from 10.00 until 12.00 and in the evening of the 10th, there is a meeting of the Playing Field Committee at 7.00 in the Centre. Incidentally, the Painting Group seems to have finished now for the holiday period.
Saturday 6th August was the day of the FOSP (Friends of St Peter’s) annual gathering in the church. This was very well-attended but whereas there is usually an AGM, followed by a short service, then a Talk and finally tea, this year it was a little different. Apart from the splendid tea, the other items seemed to be combined with the talk taking place where the sermon would have been in a normal service. Nevertheless, the talk, given this time by our Curate, Rev.Graham Wigley, was excellent and extremely interesting. It was all about Graham’s journey to become a priest from his early days in the Black Country to his becoming the Curate for Shenstone and Stonnall. Rather sadly, a Curate only serves for three years in his/her post, so Graham has only one year left with us here.
Sunday’s Communion Service at St Peter’s was well attended with the normal number of around thirty people present. Again, it was a lovely service.
Well, there is not a great deal happening in either village during the holiday period but if there is anything to report, I shall certainly report it.