I for one am so delighted to see the sunshine, at long last!
I have been so encouraged by the imagination and faith being displayed in various conversations around how we gather, worship and serve as we emerge from lockdown.
Please do have a look at the spaces and places area of our website for where this week’s services are, and keep an eye open as all kinds of ways of being together as church arrive there, adding to the rich ‘buffet’ we offer across our team.
For now our online service continues, and Mathew will be preaching for us this Sunday. You can find that on our Services page of the website, and can join for virtual coffee there too.
We have heard encouraging stories from many of you about how the pandemic has meant you have been more aware of living your faith 7 days a week.
In response to that, to help us prepare for the coming Sunday and to offer food along the way, we will be including the readings and some questions in these weekly communications. Usually the questions will come out of the Gospel reading, but for the next few weeks we will be using questions devised by Table Talk. This is a local Christian organisation seeking to resource us to have good, healthy conversations as we emerge from the pandemic. You can see them on our news page. This week we are asking;
- What things felt important to you before that no longer matter to you now?
- Is it possible to find happiness and joy during this time?
- What are you most excited about as you think about the future?
Next Friday will be Fiona’s last day with us. We have been so blessed by her ability to find order in chaos, particularly through this difficult time. If you would like to contribute to a thank you present for her, or if you would like to write a message for her card, please click on the link in this week’s email.
Ecclesiastical Insurance has opened nominations for Movement for Good with a chance for your worshipping community to receive £1000. Do have a look for more information and a link to the nomination form in the news section of our website.
Our APCM’s, or Annual Meetings are coming up next month and your church will be looking for key people to step up. Please do prayerfully consider what you can offer, there will be a you shaped hole!, and speak to your Churchwarden or one of the team.
At the end of this month we will be starting a group which will be digging deeper into what we are doing when we come to Communion, and what that means. This group will be meeting fortnightly on Wednesday evenings and some of those in this group will go on to be confirmed on 12
September in Tewkesbury Abbey. If you are curious, do get in touch.
May the Lord bless you and keep you and smile upon you and bring you peace.