Weekly Email w/b 14th February 2022

I’ve just driven back from Chester, taking that beautiful road past Wrexham and Oswestry and onto Shrewsbury. There’s always one spot on the journey where the radio signal dips and the mobile signal drops out, for about half a mile I’m in no-mans-land. There is no signal to the outside world!

Author Henry Cloud describes how we, like mobile phones searching for a connection, have an inbuilt need to connect up with others. He describes that fundamental part of our DNA that we are designed to do life with others. Whether single or married, extrovert or introvert, we were not designed to be alone.

I’ve been reminded of that as we’ve looked through the story of Elijah on Sunday mornings, and how one of the reasons Elijah hits rock bottom on Mount Carmel is that he’s dismissed his one companion at a critical point in his life. He’s like a weight-lifter, trying to lift an impossible weight on his own, and so it’s no wonder he struggles. And yet, by his grace, we see God restoring him, and as we’ll see this coming Sunday giving him a friend and colleague to share the load with.

We could all do with that. Not just in times of crisis, but in every season of our lives. Especially at this stage of our COVID recovery, the gift of people around us is so important. See below for ways in which we can be doing that together, alongside more regular features like our Sunday and midweek gatherings, or the many different weekly small groups which take place across Trinity. “Two are better than one” says the Bible, true not just in marriage services but each and every day. Put simply, we need each other.

Revd Phil Cansdale, Vicar

 

This Lent we’re hosting two midweek opportunities to go stronger in faith and grow deeper in prayer. We’d love to invite people from across our life at Trinity to join in.

On Wednesdays we’ll be engaging with the amazing musical / film “Hamilton”, with the help of the new book “The Room Where it happens” by Bishop Rose. We’ll be exploring some big themes of injustice, adversity and temptation, and each week opening up scripture and exploring how the Christian faith speaks into some of the really big issues in life.

On Thursdays we’re taking part in “The Difference Course“. In a divided and fractured world, it can be hard to know where to begin with the issues that surround us. Over five weeks we’ll be using film clips, Bible study, prayer, discussion and interactive exercises to explore some big themes together, and be thinking how our everyday relationships might be transformed.

Watch trailers, find out more, and sign up

With Lent approaching we’ve invited the team from illuminate Christian bookshop on Wyle Cop to join us at Meole Brace church for a day. So on Sunday 20th February – at the 9am, 11am and 6.30pm services – you’ll be able to browse some of their latest books and resources, and take something home with you. There will be a couple of book recommendations in each of the service, as well as resources for children and families for you to check out. You’ll be able to pay with cash or credit card, so do please come suitably prepared!

Illuminate Bookshop Website

We want to say another “thankyou” to everyone for living out our COVID guidelines these last months. We are so grateful for the many small sacrifices people have made, and for the ways in which people have been looking out for each other, especially those who feel more vulnerable or concerned at coming to church and public gatherings.

Given current levels and the impact of Omicron, and government changes ahead, we are obviously continuing to reflect on how best to meet together. These changes may impact recommendations about face coverings and distanced seating at some of our services, as well how we receive communion.

The Vicar and Wardens continue to monitor all of this closely, with our next more formal ‘review’ coming towards the end of February. If you have particular thoughts, concerns or questions then please do ask, and we will feed back and discuss future recommendations as soon as we can.

Whatever our new year resolutions – and diets? – we hope there’s still space for doing life together over a cup of coffee and around a meal table. Alongside small groups, growing friendships and looking out for people who live locally here are three opportunities you can do that with us at Trinity over the next weeks.

Café Connect is our church-run coffee shop at the heart of the Radbrook community offering great food, good value and a warm welcome. We want to be a place where faith is lived, hope is offered, and God’s love can be shared. Open six days a week and staffed by a team of volunteers, the cafe offers good food and a warm welcome. Join us for drinks, snacks and light lunches to eat in or take away.

Cloisters Cafe opens for business once more on Tuesday 11th January. During the winter months we’re open on Tuesday mornings in the back of church, and so if you’re looking for a warm welcome, drinks and cakes in a beautiful surrounding, and the company of friends old and new then we’d love you to join us.

Trinity Table is our regular lunch club for people from across the local community. It takes place on Tuesdays from 12.30pm in the Trinity Centre. To help with capacity we’re having two Trinity Tables each month, with people able to attend one of these.