Weekly Email w/b 15th August 2022

August 17, 2022

Is ‘fun in the sun’ (our programme of gatherings through the summer for walks, ice-creams, pizzas etc.) really part of what a church is for? Can’t we just organise our social lives ourselves?

Of course it’s good to organise our own meetings with beloved and like-minded people. Let’s do lots of that this summer. But I was struck by a comment from one participant of the recent Lambeth Conference (global gathering of Anglican bishops) when he said “… the Communion is when I sit at a picnic table with someone who thinks differently from me“.

That is the extraordinary gift of the church. We are not required to be the same as each other (do I hear a sigh of relief?) but to be united in a common love for Jesus which, amazingly, turns us into a family who want to be with each other. We are to enjoy our differences and, as the writer of Hebrews puts it ‘not neglecting to meet together … but encouraging one another’…’provoking one another to love and good deeds’. Pizza and provocation, walking and wondering together, pudding and pondering – what’s not to like?!

And if Covid has been, for you, a break from church as you knew it, maybe an informal outdoor gathering would be the perfect way to reconnect…

Grace and peace

Charles Ruxton, Associate Minister

Fi Iddon will be speaking at the 9am and Belle Vue gatherings, and Shirley Stevens speaking at the 10.30am Radbrook service. We are getting near to the end of our series looking at Hebrews 11 and what it is to live “everyday faith” in our lives. This week we think particularly about those who have been persecuted for their faith, even to the point of death. If you need a reminder of how this is a current reality then don’t forget the amazing work of Open Doors UK who we support here at Trinity.

At the 11am gathering at Meole Brace there will be summer activities for children and youth. Over these weeks Trinity Kids and Pathfinders are invited to come and join us as we go up the bell tower, make and write music together, and have some fun treasure hunts (not necessarily all on the same day!) This will be open to ages 4-14 providing an opportunity for Trinity Kids and Pathfinders to journey together. If there are any Anon members who would like to be involved in supporting the activities please let Cerys and Craig know and we will help you get involved.

Our evening congregation meets 6.15pm for 6.30pm in the Bradbury Hall. Our speaker is Fi Iddon.

Thanks so much to those who came to the three events thus far… Sports Sunday, Sunday evening summer social and the pudding party.

Coming up soon are:

‘Splash Park and Ice Cream‘ on Friday 19th August. Note change from original date because of flower show. Particularly suitable for toddler group families, Little Buds, creche and younger Trinity Kids etc. More details from Cerys Hughes.

Summer Evening Walk on Thursday 25th August. A summer walk, beginning and ending at the White Horse, Pulverbatch, SY5 8DS at 6.30pm. The walk will be in the region of four miles around Pulverbatch / Cothercott Hill etc and features some fantastic views across Shropshire. In attending each walker is asked to ensure that they have suitable equipment, and appropriates levels of fitness for an “intermediate level walk” in the countryside. We will finish with a drink / light meal for those who want at the White Horse. If you are interested could you let us know by signing up and we can be in touch with you about further arrangements. Thankyou.

Young Adult Pizza Night on 30th August is for those aged 18 to 30ish, and will feature log-fired pizzas and great company. Chat to Craig Silcock for more details.

Late Summer Social for 9am congregation takes place at 3pm on Sunday 4th September. Hosted at a home nearby to Meole Brace Church, this will be an afternoon opportunity for cake, tea, and great company. Listen up at the 9am congregation for more details, or contact the Church Office if you would like to know more.

More about Fun in the Sun events – and RSVP

Want to join a group who get together every couple of months to share a meal and “do life” together? Back by popular demand, we’re hoping these groups can begin meeting again, and be ways of drawing in people from across our life at Trinity Churches. Suitable for all ages and ‘stages’, and whether old-timer or newcomer, you’d be very welcome. We’re looking for:

People who would like to be part of a group who meet regularly like this. We’ll put you with some like-minded people, as well as perhaps a few other people you might not yet know. The group ‘host’ will be in touch about what people can bring with them, and we take it from there.
People who are willing to host a group, not necessarily every time but on a ‘rota’ basis with other group members. You aren’t expected to cook everything for everyone, but to help gather people, rejoice in the contributions of others, and be suitably hospitable!

As the autumn begins a morning for Trinity Women to get together. We’ll begin with an American breakfast and time to be with friends old and new. We’ll then have some space to worship and pray, with guest speaker Louise Magowan. We’ll also have opportunities to be quiet, to get creative, and to enjoy being together. We start at 9am, and will finish by 12pm.

More details and sign up

We know we’ve had some ‘gremlins’ with our livestreams in July, so for the August Sundays we are pre-recording a Sunday service which will will go out “as live” on Sunday mornings. This will give our amazing tech team a chance to have a month off, as well as to sort out some of the issues. So for those joining us online please go to Facebook or our website as usual from 11am on Sunday mornings and you’ll find your way to our Sunday online gathering, this week hosted by Phil and with Fi as our speaker. The readings and theme of the talk are the same, and the service lasts just over half an hour. If you haven’t joined us online before on a Sunday and would like to do so – whether “live” or on catch-up – then you’re really welcome.

Join us online on Facebook

It still feels like the start of term is a little way off. But as we get ready for a new school term, we would love to find ways of praying for children and young people starting something new on the first Sunday of September. So we’re asking children to bring their ‘school bag’ – or something similar – to church on Sunday 4th September at the 11am service. There will be an encouragement to pray for them as they embark on a new year, whatever pre-school / primary / secondary / university etc might look like for them.

That morning we’ll also be concluding the summer children and youth provision with special activities in the Trinity Centre as part of the service. 11th September is then an all-age celebration, and Sunday 18th will be the first full morning of Trinity Kids and Trinity Youth.