Weekly Email w/b 16th August 2021

Like me you might have been engaging with the ‘Big Conversation’.

Perhaps ‘thankfulness‘ came naturally and ‘lament‘ a little painfully. This week we come to ‘learning‘ and I feel like I have a lot to learn. “Everyday’s a school day” is a phrase that many of us appear to utter regularly. Maybe we all have hard lessons to learn in this new era. Perhaps we are acutely aware of the climate crisis and how we might make changes to care for creation. Or concerned by the Kabul crisis in Afghanistan. Or more locally floods, hunger and financial challenges…

Theoden King of Rohan, in The Lord of the Rings, uses the words “what can man [people] do against such reckless hate” as he finds himself surrounded by enemies, seemingly in a hopeless situation. We might feel powerless and surrounded, or we feel like the things we once knew and trusted have failed; the things that were once firm foundations have crumbled. Perceived wisdom now appears to be folly.

What is God asking us to learn; re-learn or discard? I wonder whether He might reveal himself to us as we prayerfully pursue Him?

Craig Silcock
Youth and Young Adults’ Minister

Sport Sunday is designed for all people to have fun and join in, no matter how old we are, what stage of life we are in, or how sporty we might feel! It is a great opportunity to meet with other members of the church congregation and for all church members to gather together. We will be starting at 10am outside Holy Trinity Meole Brace Church and finishing in time for the 11am mid-morning service, we hope you can make it.

Please book in online or through the church office.

Let us know you’re coming to Sports Sunday

This Sunday – 22nd August – we continue to meet at 9am and 11am for our Sunday celebrations.

With a fortnight remaining of the BIG CONVERSATION you’ll find resources to accompany this journey on our website, as well as the opportunity to meet one-to-one with someone for a guided conversation. And have you seen in the churchyard at Holy Trinity there are some further ideas to reflect on these four themes…

Let us know you’d like to come to one of our services

Find us on Facebook Live

Join in the BIG Conversation

A reminder of the our continuing guidelines to help keep each other safe at this stage of our COVID journey. We are continuing to ask people to wear face coverings and are enabling you to be able to keep physical distance from others. To help monitor capacity we are requesting that people let us know that they are coming in the usual way, though if you haven’t booked in there should be space for you ‘on the day’ if you turn up. We will, of course, continue online too for those who aren’t yet comfortable in being alongside other people.

We’ll be reviewing this on a regular basis, and are committed to church being a safe space for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns do please chat to one of the team.

The summer also sees some activities for children and youth at our 11am gatherings.

A reminder in particular that – for under 5s – the Fiwila Room is available with a large selection of toys available. The room won’t be staffed, and you will need to stay with your child (or organise for a trusted friend or family member to do so). No drinks or snacks will be provided so please bring your own. You are very welcome, and indeed encouraged, to join with the coffee time after the service. If you have a small, non-mobile, baby then please do make use of the Tower Vestry where the service is livestreamed into the room, with a sofa, changing facilities and some toys available for use.

Since March 2020 a number of us have been meeting daily as part of six o’clock live. It’s been a twenty minute opportunity each day to pause and to pray, to ponder and reflect. We’ve been able to meet through three lockdowns, and along the way have looked at many different themes including the “big story of the Bible” and the book of Ruth, the Sermon on the Mount and reflections on fruitfulness. Thank you so much to all those who have been involved. It has been such a blessing.

After about four hundred gatherings we’re going to take a break over August, and a chance to think about how we’re going to continue from September. Meanwhile over August we’re inviting people to keep up with the six o’clock rhythm, but to plug into a range of other resources which we hope will inspire, equip and encourage you. And we’re asking people to continue the conversation on Facebook, with any particular thoughts or reflections that you can share to encourage one another.

Some resources to help you engage with God each day

Have your say on what happens next

It’s a season of “goodbyes” on the staff team as we prepare to mark the departure of William Small as Operations Manager at the end of the month. Over the last 5+ years he’s been overseeing many of the more ‘practical’ aspects of life here at Trinity, including our finance, personnel and buildings. Whilst much of his work is probably ‘unseen’ by many across the parish it has been hugely appreciated by all of us here as well as at Holy Trinity Belle Vue.

Particularly for those who will have worked alongside William we’re inviting people to contribute towards a leaving gift. Details as below:

PCC Holy Trinity Meole Brace, Christ the King Radbrook
Account Number: 01317554
Sort Code: 30-97-62
Reference: WILLIAM

We really enjoyed meeting up for a couple of New Wine celebrations a fortnight ago. I think the main talks and gatherings will be available via their website over the next few weeks.

Next year’s New Wine gatherings take place in Peterborough 23rd July to 28th July, and then 29th July to 3rd August 2022. You don’t have to camp, lots of people stay “off site” and then join in with sessions during the day. We tend to go as a group from Trinity to the later dates, ie 29th July to 3rd August. Interested? Thinking about coming? Chat to Fi Iddon or Craig Silcock for more.

More about New Wine 2021