Weekly email w/b 10th October

October 13, 2022

Yesterday I baptised an elephant. And a kangaroo. And three bears. I think Batman, Sponge-bob square pants and one of the ‘mutant ninja turtles’ also ended up in the font. Please, please, please don’t tell the Bishop!

It was, you’ll be relieved to hear, with a class of four and five year olds in a local primary school. One of the children had been christened here at Meole Brace Church on Sunday, and so what a privilege to visit her whole class and explore the amazing themes of baptism together. They all brought their own teddy bears, dolls, and various other huggables into school that day for a mass baptism with Revd Phil.

We looked together – as we always do with baptism families – at that sense of belonging together as God’s amazing family. Of the cross, “belonging to Jesus.” Of water, God cleansing us and renewing us. Of the candle, a sign of God’s light and love in our lives everyday. And then a party afterwards, a family celebration but also that reminder – as in the story of the prodigal son which we often tell at christenings – that for those who come home to God there is joy!

I should think most of us can’t remember our baptisms. But whether you’re five months, five years or five decades, these are signs and symbols that are important in all of our lives as we walk the journey of faith. God’s spirit bringing life, God’s word guiding the way, God’s grace in Christ and God’s love in all things. And if you or someone you know would like to explore being baptised or to renew your baptism vows (an offer made primarily to people rather than teddy bears this time) then do chat to one of the team.

Grace and peace

Phil Cansdale, Vicar

September / October copy of Trinity Life

This Sunday sees us focus around the autumn series. Neville Willerton will be speaking at the 9am and 11am services at Holy Trinity, as well as at the 1030 service at CTK, focussing on the words “The Lord turn his face towards you.” We’ll be reflecting around the amazing passage from Luke 7:36-50 alongside 2 Chronicles 7:11-22. Children and youth work – ie Creche, Trinity Kids and Trinity Youth – continues in the usual manner as part of the 11am gathering, as well as the 11am service being both in the building and online.

At the 630pm evening service Fi Iddon will be speaking as we continue to reflect around “Questions Jesus Asked.”

This Sunday we’re also launching our autumn initiative called “Blessed to be a Blessing – faith, hope and love in action”. We have all been blessed in so many ways. Now, more than ever, it is time for us to bless others with our time, our gifts, and our money. Over these next weeks we’ll be finding out more about how to get involved.

“Last orders” for our Newcomers Breakfast taking place this coming Sunday, for all who are new – or still feel new – to life at Trinity Churches. We’ll start with a continental breakfast from 9.30am, and opportunities to get to know other new people as well as some of those involved in leadership in the life of the church. There will then be an opportunity to hear from a few different people and different areas of the church’s life. We’ll finish by just after 10.30am, and lead into the 11am morning celebration for those who would like to stay.

Let us know you’ll be joining us

Twice a year we host a service of remembering. This is an occasion to hold before God loved ones who have died, whether recently or a long time ago. At the service we read out a list of names, light candles, and have a chance to hear something of faith, hope and love even in the place of death. All are welcome.

We often host a week of 24-7 prayer in the late autumn, and this year’s week will be from Sunday 20th to Sunday 27th November. If you’d like to be part of a team doing some planning – creative and practical – we would love to hear from you. Contact Charles Ruxton or Phil Cansdale for more info. Thanks.

In wider church news, the Shrewsbury Deanery has joined with the Deanery of Wrockwardine into one new area known as ‘Shrewsbury and Wrekin’. For those of you blissfully unaware of this Church of England terminology, a Deanery is a group of Anglican churches whose clergy and elected lay representatives meet together from time to time.

Phil has taken this opportunity to step back from his role as Area Dean, and Andy Ackroyd (from Wrockwardine) is our new Rural Dean. The two Assistant Rural Deans are Fr Simon Sayer (of All Saints Castlefields) and our very own Fi Iddon.

The new Deanery will be formally recognised, and these three licenced to their roles, in a service on Monday 17^th October at Church of the Holy Spirit, Harlescott. Do be praying especially for Fi as she takes on this new role alongside her role as Associate Vicar here at Trinity and as Chaplain to University Centre Shrewsbury.