Dare I speak those words? Would you? It can’t be all that difficult – just seven short words. I don’t need a dictionary to understand their meaning. Why do I even ask if I dare utter them? On the 3rd of April 1968 they were spoken by Martin Luther King, in Memphis Tennessee. He dared speak them and he meant what he said. (You can easily find his address online; try searching with: I’ve been to the mountaintop). The sense of commitment and utter conviction with which he speaks is deeply moving. He concludes his speech and looks to the future with, “I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t really matter with me now… I would like to live – a long life; longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that right now. I just want to do God’s will… I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you… I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”In our reading from Matthew 16, we listen to Jesus’ words as he also looks to the future. Knowingly and willingly he steps forward on the path of suffering that leads to the ‘Promised Land’. Even in the last moment before his arrest, he committed himself completely to his Father, “May your will be done.” Today we hear Jesus call his disciples to be followers, to take up their cross. And how challenging his words can be, “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Is this what we had in mind when we included ‘Courageous’ in our St Mary’s Values?In our services in church today, and perhaps in our own personal prayers, we will pray the Lord’s Prayer. Take a moment to reflect as you come to: ‘Your kingdom come, your will be done’. I have to ask myself, dare I pray those words? How courageous will I be?On the 4th of April 1968 at about 6.00pm, Martin Luther King stepped out on to the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, Memphis…
The congregation of St Mary's are excited to have prayerfully considered a new role at St Mary's to support the mission, values and purpose of God for us as we aspire and work to see our town transformed by the love of ChristWe're looking for the right person to provide vital high-level administrative and operational support to our clergy and lay teams, to enable our various ministries to flourish and be part of our vision by joining us as Church Operations Manager.The role will be pivotal to supporting St Mary's as part of the leadership team, alongside the Vicar and Churchwardens. The role will involve elements of administration, governance, personnel management, and finance.Working 30 hours a week with at least 3 days in the church office, more information on the role and application process can be found here.Closing date for applications: 6th June 2022 with interviews held (in person) on 23rd June 2022.
We've been worshipping in church at 9.00 am for sometime now but this service hasn't included any congregational sung musical worship.That privilege has been reserved for our online service via Zoom but no more!From Sunday 12th September, there will be a 10.30 sung worship service in the building.Not wanting to venture out or like the flexibility of the service being online? Don't worry - we'll be continuing to Zoom the service too. It will look a little different to previously as we work out what our version of hybrid worship looks like but what won't be different is our heart for glorifying God.We would ask that you only attend physically if you are fit and well, and that you continue to wear a face covering.<div>Psalm 100:1-5 '<span style="font-size: 1rem;">A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.'</span></div>
