The hunt is on in the Partnership to recruit teenagers to form a Youth Gospel Choir in a new drive to encourage youngsters into our churches.

The initiative is being led by the Rev Peterson Feital, the recently appointed house for duty minister.

The Rev Peterson Feital with family members.

He said: “We are currently looking for young people from Year 10 to Sixth Form. However, if your child falls outside this age range, please do come and speak to me because we may have additional spaces available on a discretionary case-by-case basis.

“Our leadership is very excited about what this could offer our young people, but we will be taking things slowly with small, thoughtful steps. Our first step is to gather a group of young people from across the partnership to take part in a Christmas taster session.

“Christmas is a wonderful time when many new people visit our church for carols and Christmas services. We would love to showcase the incredible talents of our young people and share our vision for this choir to our community.

“We will be welcoming Elaine Simpson as our Choir Director.  Here is the link to one of Elaine iconic performances at the Royal Albert Hall. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ubuMr5kjcQ&list=RD-ubuMr5kjcQ&start_radio=1

Further details can be found in the latest SEP newsletter to download here.

Do you always sweep up autumn leaves and throw them in the bin? But have you thought about the fact that wildlife can make use of the leaves?

Hedgehogs can make use of leaves as they hibernate this winter.

This month’s SEP newsletter gives some tips as we in the Stantonbury Ecumenical Partnership seek to be more eco friendly.

Leaf litter provides shelter for over-wintering invertebrates and nesting material for hedgehogs etc. Dead leaves are also an important part of the natural cycle of plants and soil. As they decay they put back carbon that contributes to the soil ecology and encourages healthy microbial activity.

One option is to use leaf litter as mulch around the bases of trees or on vegetables and flower beds. This will help to insulate the soil over winter, protecting the soil’s microbial life.  Alternatively the leaves can be composted.

Keep Halloween Green! Remember to compost pumpkins or put them in your green bin. They are poisonous for hedgehogs so don’t leave them in the garden.

Bring children to events like Glow in the Dark at St James so avoiding the plastic Halloween paraphernalia that appears in the shops!

For more news in the October newsletter please follow the link.