Weekly Email w/b 13th November 2023

November 17, 2023

Who would you have in your cabinet?

The start of this week has been turbulent, with a new reshuffle in government and we’ve seen MPs have being moved around like pieces on a chess board. A queen loses a place, only to be replaced by a knight, a rook steps into a space vacated by a bishop (no likeness to known people intended). The Opposition eyes up the front bench, trying to predict their next move. It’s tense, but time is ticking on and, in this game of chess, decisions have to be made – and quickly.

So, who would you choose?

Jesus made a “cabinet” of 12 men with a variety of background. Several fishermen, a tax collector and some others, whose skills are little known. For three years Jesus and his disciples walked and talked together. They spent time together, learning how to live in a new way. They went through a lot together too: times of euphoria and times of great danger. They were a motley crew but they became a band of followers who have changed the world, because they learned to follow their leader, who was worth following.

I wonder who Jesus would choose for his cabinet today?

Valerie Pitt, Associate Minister

It’s Sunday 19th November. (Really? Already?) In our morning congregations we are nearing the end of our series called “Kingdom Come”, looking through the book of Nehemiah. Adrian Black is speaking at 9am and 11am, Peter Madley speaking at CTK, and Alistair Hornal will be speaking at Holy Trinity Belle Vue.

In the evening we’re gearing on the way back down the mountain as part of our “Mount Everest” journey of the book of Romans. We’re going to be putting ourselves in the shoes (sandals?) of the early church in Rome, and Ian Williams will be speaking as we get to Romans chapter 13-14. How do we live together in love and build community?

Sermon archive on website

We all have a picture in our heads as to what a healthy prayer life looks like. Maybe it’s not achievable all the time but, how about – for one week – making prayer a priority? As Advent begins and Christmas approaches, might you commit to set the joys of prayer within the rhythm of your day?

Alongside our Sunday services we’re offering opportunities to pray in different ways, times and places. Some in person, some online, and some more structured than others. You’ll find details below, as well as more on our website.

Our theme is “Come Lord Jesus”, that most ancient of prayers, and over the week we’ll be unpacking this using the Lord’s prayer as a focus. In some of the darkness across our world and our nation we pray “Come Lord Jesus.” As Christmas approaches – in our church, across our community, for our families and ourselves – we wait for his coming.

Further resources (still to come) on our website

Thanks so much to those who have picked up patterns and offered to be part of our army of knitters making our choir of angels, which in mid-December will be ‘winging their way’ to various public spaces in Meole Brace and Radbrook Green. People will be able to take one to decorate their own homes, and to think what it might mean for each and every one of us to ‘join the song’ the angels sang when Jesus was born.

We’re looking to gather all the angels at the Church Office by Tuesday 12th December at the latest. If you’re working on something at home, it would be really helpful to know roughly how many angels will be ready. Chat to Amal Moore, or let the Church Office know. Or come and join with others and have some fun making them together. Times are below.

The Meet Place. Thursdays 23/11 and 7/12 from 1.15pm to 2.45pm
The Trinity Centre. Tuesdays 5/12, 12/12 from 10am to 12pm.
The Trinity Centre. Thursdays 23/11, 30/11 from 7.30pm to 9pm.

We’re hoping this could be a really fun thing to be doing together, as well as a small way of blessing our local communities as Advent begins and Christmas approaches.

Contact Amal Moore

Join us for our usual evening of Christmas Creative fun! Price includes a glass of Prosecco and Mince Pies. Crafts will be an extra cost (between £1-£3) so please do bring some money along with you. Proceeds from this event will be going to support relief work in Morocco.

Buy a ticket – £4 each

Sunday 3rd December is Advent Sunday. We’re hosting a few local stallholders who will be selling some Advent gifts after the 9am and 11am services at Meole Brace. We’re hoping to feature our usual selection of Windfall jams and chutneys, Illuminate Bookshop, Fairtrade products, Palestinian goods, hand-made cards etc. Come to church and take home a suitably inspiring gift! For those who don’t carry cash we’ll be able to take card payments as well.

The final Big Sunday Lunch of 2023 takes place on Sunday 19th November. Want to join a group who get together every couple of months to share a meal and “do life” together? Suitable for all ages and ‘stages’, and whether old-timer or newcomer, you’d be very welcome. For those already in a group then details should be winging their way to you over the next few days. And if you’d like to join a group – and make the most of opportunities of getting to know other people at Trinity – then let us know and we’ll find some space around a Sunday lunch table near you!

Our annual Churchyard Leaf Clearing morning is on Saturday 2nd December in the morning. Could you come along, and bring suitable rakes / brooms etc. This really is one of those “many hands make light work” moments, and could be a great fun way of getting together with other people on a Saturday morning. Many thanks.

Each year an amazing team of people from Shrewsbury churches and beyond host a Christmas day lunch for people from across the town who might be spending Christmas on their own. Hosted by Soul Purpose, and taking place at the Trinity Centre, there are lots of different ways in which you might get involved. Wrapping gifts and getting things ready? The Christmas Eve morning Veg Peel? Transport on Christmas day? We’re also still looking for a few more who would be able to be ‘hosts’ on the day, welcoming our guests and making everyone feel at home. For more info speak to Fi Iddon.