He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Isaiah 2:4The devastating situation in the middle east makes it imperative that we pray for all the people involved, especially the vulnerable, the women and children, the elderly, the sick. We pray that the leaders of the nations will come to their senses and offer each other the hand of friendship, instead of the fist of violence. We pray for the vulnerable of our own country, for refugees, for the unemployed, for those who cannot earn enough to feed their families, for those who need support to reduce their debts. We pray for all food pantries and banks, advice centres and hostels. We ask God to guide us into whatever action He intends that we should take to help. We pray for all who are sick and suffering, fearful and anxious.We pray for the loved ones who sit beside them, helpless and stressed. We pray for all the professionals who can step in and relieve those moments of despair. We give thanks that there are so many good people working in the health service, dedicated to helping others. We pray for children and young people, starting the school holidays. We pray for their protection from the evils that can be found online, we pray for those families who rely on free school meals and who will not have that available to them during the holidays. We pray that all children will be able to find rest and relaxation, so that when they go back to school they will be ready to learn and benefit from their education. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ Matt 19:14
JULY 25 NEWSLETTERJulie Writes...Dear Friends,Firstly, a huge thank you to all those who came to my licensing service on Trinity Sunday and for the cards and presents. The rose tree has flowered beautifully and will remind me of the occasion in future summers. Last summer our reading challenge was a huge one - the whole of the Bible and I certainly enjoyed that challenge. Earlier in the year Bishop Ruth wrote to clergy recommending the following verses from Paul’s letter to the Colossians. ‘As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ Colossians 3:12-17 (NRSV)It is such an encouraging passage and really does seem to sum up the Christian life and I hope that over the summer, rather than a very wide study, we will take a deep dive into this very short but beautiful passage. What does it mean to be ‘God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved’? As we did last year, we will join the services at Holy Trinity together beginning on the 27th July at 10.30am and St Michael’s will meet at 9.30am as usual. Of course, with only one service at Holy Trinity it will be a communion service each week as we did last year.Finally, congratulations to David Taylor as he recently celebrated 30 years as a priest. We are so very grateful for his ministry and friendship over those years. Thank you, David.Julie.
