F R I D A Y   F O C U S

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For services this Sunday see the page Worship in our Chaplaincy this Sunday

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The week ahead

Tues: Saint of the week St Matthias, Apostle
Our Sunday reading from Acts 1, vv21-26 tells of how Matthias was appointed an Apostle (a 'witness to the Resurrection') in place of Judas. Saint Matthias was present with the other Apostles at Pentecost. Aside from this, little is known of the rest of Saint Matthias' life. According to one tradition, he preached for a time in Jerusalem and eventually he was stoned and beheaded. (He is often portrayed holding an axe, the instrument of his death.) Another tradition claims he preached the Gospel to the barbarians and cannibals in the interior of Ethiopia and was crucified. Saint Matthias is the patron of carpenters, tailors, those with smallpox, and in prayers for perseverence and for hope.

Wed: 20h00 Bible Study on Zoom (deferred from last week): link - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84906038215?pwd=TcRC5ry4m0WaJa8jRh3cYjtJMPEACQ.1

Next Sunday (19th) is the DAY OF PENTECOST
Gratot - Hommeel: 11h00 Service of the Word: Morning Prayer
Avranches: 16h00 Holy Eucharist

Other notices:

LEADERSHIP TEAM:  This week's meeting discussed recent services, and arrangements for ministry in the light of Fr Chris planning to return and the change in Donna's role. The next meeting will be at 7.30 on Thursday, 23rd May.

CHAPLAINCY AGM      The Annual General Meeting of the Chaplaincy/Association Cultuelle will be held in Hommeel Church Gratot on Sunday 26th May, following Holy Eucharist celebrated at 11h00, with a bring and share lunch afterwards in the Presbytery. All on the Chaplaincy Electoral Roll are entitled to vote in this meeting and are urged to attend: papers for this will be circulated shortly.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT MINISTRY - please read        We offer warmest congratulations to Donna, on her appointment to a full-time pivotal role in a major charity. Her role will be focused in Paris, but thankfully for her she will work most days from an office at home. As we warned might happen, this change is imminent: she is away from today, then returns to begin her new job immediately.

While we are delighted for her, we recognise that the impact on our ministry here will be major, especially for the church at Gratot. Donna's availability for pastoral ministry and care has come to an end: if you need pastoral ministry from now on, please contact Fr Chris. Donna's remaining roles will be adjusted in due course, and we are glad she will continue to lead Sunday services in the Chaplaincy. The Leadership Team will work with Donna to support her in reshaping her ministry here: we all need to give her 'space' as she transitions to her new job.

Given these changes, we are clearly at a crossroads in terms of our ministry patterns in the Chaplaincy. Fr Chris returns to ministry early to reinforce our ministry during this time of transition: with the mortgage soon to be completed he is offering to serve for up to a year to give the Chaplaincy time to put resources in place to support a Chaplain, so that one can be appointed in consultation with the Bishop.

Our Chaplaincy Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, 

thank you for calling us to be a Church under the banner of your Name: 

may we look to you today and find clear vision for tomorrow.                                                       

May our life together bring you glory,                                                                                                         

as you make of us a living invitation to enter the joy of your Kingdom. Amen

Love in Christ,

Fr Chris

and the Leadership Team

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