Weekly Email w/b 15th February 2021

February 18, 2021

Let’s be honest, life in Lockdown feels pretty much like a wilderness at the moment. Simplicity, sacrifice and sorrow have become daily realities, whether chosen or not. For some this is the wilderness of being in lockdown, and we assume for all of Lent we will be unable to worship together in our buildings. For others they are in the wilderness of grief, of illness, or of family concerns. For still others this might be a wilderness of faith, as we go through periods of feeling dry or full of doubts.

And yet the Bible is full of characters who have transformational encounters with God in the desert places. They learn there what perhaps they can’t learn elsewhere, and find a God who can bring life and hope even in the dry places. Here we learn struggle, simplicity, a growing trust, and the faithfulness of Jesus in testing times. How might God be calling us to “worship in the wilderness” over Lent and beyond?

This is the journey we are on for these next few weeks. We’ll be unpacking this in our Sunday services and six o’clock live, as well as giving space for this in our Saturday morning prayer meet-ups and resources made available. We set our hearts on Easter, which for this year perhaps more than ever speaks of new life and hope. But we journey through the wilderness together, open to all that God wants to do through us and for us as we travel.

Grace and peace

Phil Cansdale
Vicar of Trinity Churches and Area Dean of Shrewsbury

Our Sunday gatherings and our daily six o’clock live will be picking up the theme of life in the wilderness, and what it means to be trusting God and living a life of worship there. We’re kicking off on Ash Wednesday (17th February) with a special pyjama church released at 9.30am, and then an extended six o’clock live that evening. Then our Sunday gatherings continue with pyjama church (9.30am), mid morning gathering (10.30am) and monthly evening gathering (this Sunday at 6.30pm)

Join us Live on Facebook

We’re excited to be taking part in the Big Lent Read this year, digging into the new book “Living His Story” by Hannah Moore. Each week you’re invited to watch a short video, read a chapter or two of the book, and then to discuss it with others. For those joining a small group to chat further the first meet-up is 17th February at 7.30pm.

Beginning Saturday 20^th Feb you’re invited to an online prayer meet-up. Each week we’ll be reflecting around a particular theme or approach to prayer, including unanswered prayer, being creative in prayer, and finding that “still small place.” This week Tony Sharpe will be leading us in “praying for carers and those who care”. Find out more – and let us know you are coming – to this week and future weeks via the website.

Let us know you’re coming this Saturday to pray

Alongside Sunday gatherings, midweek meet-ups, small groups etc, there are three resources which we hope you’ll find a gift over Lent 2021.

WORSHIP IN THE WILDERNESS. Lent 2021. A booklet to complement and build on our Sunday services with ideas and reflections to be done on your own or with someone else. Each week gives space for a simple prayer, a short piece of scripture to read, and a few questions to reflect on.
HOLY TRINITY CHURCHYARD LABYRINTH. Life can be so full on, and it’s easy to get so caught up in the rush and excitement of the day we can forget to make time for God and for ourselves.We have set up this Labyrinth as an interactive way to inspire you to pause, take a breath of fresh air and just be for a moment.So why not use the opportunity, take a wonder down to the church and be inspired to pray, reflect and take a moment to be with God.
TIME FOR GOD. A booklet with some simple prayers and readings from the Bible. Full of inspiring pictures and We’ve designed this particularly to give away to people who might appreciate some short encouragements in prayer and scripture. You can pick up a copy from outside Holy Trinity Church or Café Connect, or download one from the website. If you’d like us to send a copy to you, or someone you know, then do please let us know and we’ll put something in the post.

Journeying with God through Lent

Take a look at the prayer Labyrinth

Download a copy of the new “Time to pray” booklet

These are tough days for many people, and lots of us find ourselves in need of help and support. As a local church we pray regularly for the local community we serve, and we would love to pray for you, your family or friends. Do please let us know what we might be praying for you, or make this link available to others as appropriate.

Let us know what we might be praying for you