St Bartholomew’s, Tong
Parish news, views and muse
November 2025, A Month For Remembering
All Souls at the beginning of the month is a chance to remember with thankfulness those whom we have loved but see no more. And, of course, there is also our national act of Remembrance, on Remembrance Sunday. As the son of a man who served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, I never fail to be moved as the poppies fall down from the roof of the Royal Albert Hall during the Festival of Remembrance. That remembrance is all the more poignant in our own day as the reality of war and its human cost is once again apparent. There will be services at war memorials and in churches across the diocese as we remember those who died fighting to protect us and bring peace and justice to our world, and we pray for those serving in our Armed Forces today.
Memories, and remembering, are such central parts of our personalities and character, and in many ways make up part of who we are. Being remembered is very important to us, and the thought that we might be forgotten can be heart-breaking.
For Christians, of course, the most significant act of remembering is when we come together to remember in bread and wine the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus’ willing sacrifice of himself on the cross for the sake of others is, for Christian believers, the ultimate expression of the self-giving love at the heart of God, when Christ’s hands were marked by the nails of the cross. “Do this in remembrance of me.”
So, in this season of Remembrance, as we remember with candles, poppies, or bread and wine, join us in our services here in Tong in November and may we all take time to pause, reflect, and be thankful.
October 2025
The month of October brings us the celebration of harvest across the benefice and at St Bartholomews our service will take place on Sunday 5th October at 11 am.
You shall keep the Feast of Harvest, of the first fruits of your labour, of what you sow in the field. You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labour.”
Exodus 23:16
Even today with modern farming methods It is still an opportunity to give thanks to God for his provision for us and an opportunity to share with generosity the riches we have received. Paul was very clear in his teaching that generosity begins in our hearts and is a reflection of the gratitude we have towards God for what he has done for us. Generosity is not something we have to be coerced into but instead it is something freely given. We perhaps need this reminder because our wealth and belongings ultimately belong to God, and we are simply stewards of what we have.
“So, I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:5-7
Please come and join in our harvest service as we reflect this attitude of generosity, because it points to what is at the heart of our faith that God has given us new life in Jesus freely and without condition. This is the grace of God at work in our lives. However, as Christians we are also called to work in God’s harvest field. Jesus in his teaching told the disciples that they were called to be labourers in the Kingdom.
As disciples we are called to share the good news of the Kingdom and to help bring in God’s harvest of new followers of Jesus. These are the disciples that Jesus calls us to make in the Great Commission, and it is part of our role not simply to make converts but to mentor and coach the next generation. We need to see the harvest not just in terms of crops, fruit and vegetables but as a spiritual reality that sees us offer the story of Jesus to a world in need.
With all blessings
Revd Mike
September 2025
Tong Classic Car Festival – a Special Thanks
The Classic Car Festival on 6th September turned out to be a wonderful day. The weather turned out to be brilliant following and preceding days of horrendous rain. It was great to see so many cherished vehicles – in excess of 80 – and all the people who came along to support us in our fund-raising efforts. It could not have been a success without the hard work of our congregation or indeed without the active involvement of some people from outside our church community. So, a special thank you to the following:
Ian – for organising the majority of the cars on display.
Tim from the civil defence team for the fire engine.
Denise from TDS Riding Centre at Church Farm for the use of the east field as a car park.
John from Hire This Ltd. for the loos.
David Austin Roses for the Rose as a raffle prize.
The Craft stall holders.
All the people who contributed to the Tombola, Collectables and Cake Stall.
Our loyal and hard-working congregation.
And last but not least – All the Vehicle owners.
August 2025
July 2025
Little did we know…
Some years ago, we embarked on a journey to repair and refurbish our historic church when the 2020 vision was launched. Since then, we have achieved some of those ambitions and others are still outstanding. The work that has been completed includes the roof, tower, golden chapel, vestry, windows, pulpit fall, nave reordering and some other little bits and pieces.
There is still the heating, toilets, servery and conservation work on the tombs to go. In all we have spent around £900,000.
We are grateful to all the organisations (list available in the Church entrance) that granted us the money to help fund these projects and all the individuals that have made donations. Also, thanks to all the people that have supported us through coming along to various fund-raising events that have been put on. So, please continue that support – we really need it.
Would You Like To Support Us?
The Tong Vision for 2020 and beyond has a target to raise £500,000 over the next 3 years in order to fund urgent and
essential restoration work, and to ensure that all visitors and congregations can continue to enjoy this unique building!
If you can offer your support either financially, in-kind or otherwise, please contact us or visit our JustGiving page by clicking the image, below.
A big thank you to all our supporters! Particular thanks go to the following:
To view details of our charitable status please click here