Weekly Email w/b 18th October 2021

Fi, Cerys and I spent last night with some families getting ready to have their children baptised. We were on ZOOM, and so whilst there was no cake and coffee in the usual way to kick off with it did mean that friends and family could join in from wherever they were across the country. It felt a huge privilege to see parents, godparents, grandparents and others join in the conversation, and each of them exploring what following Jesus might look like.

At the same time as we met online ALPHA were meeting in the Trinity Centre, with twenty or so people taking part in our current course. “Who is Jesus?” “Why did he die?” “How can I be sure of my faith”? These are all really important questions, and giving space to think about some of the deeper questions of life at a time when it still feels we are being ‘shaken and stirred’ in our lives.

And so whoever you are – and wherever you find yourselves on this journey of faith – we’re all invited to take next steps. Read on below for various ways in which you might do that, including baptisms and confirmations on 28th November. Details also about our latest COVID update, a service of remembering, and a few other November events coming up.

With thanks and prayers – as always – as together we are “growing faith, proclaiming hope, and living for Jesus” across Shrewsbury and beyond.

Phil Cansdale
Vicar of Trinity Churches and Area Dean of Shrewsbury

We met this week to update our COVID guidelines for all events taking place in Church. In the light of conditions locally and nationally, and what appears to be a rise in cases, we decided to keep current arrangements broadly in place.

The one change will be at the 11am gathering at Meole Brace, particularly with the rising numbers attending. The front four rows of the church – across all pews – will be for those who would like a more distanced seating area. The remaining rows of pews, and the chairs at the back, may have people sitting in each row, with less distance possible between those seated there. We will still be asking people to wear face coverings, especially during singing, as well as ensuring good ventilation, hand hygiene, and each of our personal responsibility of not coming to church if you are unwell.

We remain online at the 11am, as well as for those feeling particularly vulnerable offering a greater distancing at the 9am, 6.30pm and midweek services at Holy Trinity, and at Christ the King. We’ll continue to review these arrangements on a regular basis. If you have any questions or concerns then do please talk to one of the ministry team, or the wardens.

Sunday 24th October sees our services taking place at 9am and 11am at Holy Trinity as usual.

Our thanks go out in particular to those who came to our Radbrook celebration last weekend, and some good conversations about our church life together. Do chat more to Phil, Keith and Amal, and we’re very much looking forward to our next celebration on Sunday 21st November (Christ the King Sunday) at the new time of 10.30am.

A special service of Remembering on Sunday 31st October, 3pm to 3.45pm.In particular we are inviting friends and families of those who have died recently to join us. We will read out a list of names of those who have died, and find appropriate ways to remember them together in prayer.

All are welcome, and there’s no need to ‘book in’, just come! If you’d like us to read other names out at the service then do please let us know. We’re also going to be online via Facebook Live in our usual way.

Let us know you’re coming – or a name to be read out

There’s something really important about finding ways of saying “count me in” to God and to the life of the Church. We’d love to help people to do that. Bishop Sarah, the Bishop of Shrewsbury, will be with us on Advent Sunday, 28th November. At our mid-morning gathering that day we’re having a service of baptisms and confirmations.

For those who haven’t already been baptised – either as babies or older – baptism for young people and adults is an amazing opportunity to commit to following Jesus and to live as life-long and whole-life disciples of Christ. Before the big day there will be opportunities to meet together to check out what this means, and to support you as you take a step of faith.

Confirmation is for those who have been baptised already, particularly as babies. It gives people an opportunity to “confirm” for themselves their commitment to follow Jesus and be part of the life of the church, and for your church family to pray for you and cheer you on as part of God’s amazing family here and across the world.

To let us know you’re interested in being baptised or confirmed please answer the questions below, and we’ll then be in touch with you about ‘next steps’ to get ready for November 28th. And if you want to chat further, do talk in particular to Phil, Fi or Craig and we’d love to meet up….

Let us know you’re interested….

You may have noticed that we’ve been talking a lot about “giving” in the recent weekly emails! Whilst we may be embarrassed to talk about money, the Bible certainly isn’t! As well as warning us not to trust in riches, it also shows us what God can do when we put our resources at his disposal. In Acts 4, we read that the first Christians “shared everything they had” and that “God’s grace was so powerfully at work that there was no needy person among them“. Something miraculous happens when a Christian’s trust in God (and love for each other) produces true generosity.

Over the past eighteen months, despite all the challenges, we’ve been incredibly grateful for the many people who have continued to give faithfully and generously to the work of the church, week by week and month by month. Thank you – we couldn’t do anything without you! But it’s also true that the loss of other income means our finances have been significantly dented by the pandemic. We know that the past year has been difficult financially for many people, so this message may not be for you. But for others, could this be the right time to review your regular giving?

There’s lots of information about giving on our website, or you can speak in confidence to Rob Surl or any member of our Stewardship team.

Find out more about giving to Trinity Churches

We are hosting a quiz in the Trinity Centre on Saturday 20^th November at 7:30pm. There will be quiz questions to suit a variety of ages and knowledge bases, and there’s a little something for everyone! Do please invite your friends and family, organise a team of up to 6 people. We are asking people to bring your own drinks and snacks, and sharpen your pencils for an evening of fun.

We’ll also be supporting God’s work across the world, asking people to make a donation to Tearfund. Tearfund is a Christian charity determined to see an end to extreme poverty and injustice. They mobilise communities and churches worldwide to help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their God-given potential.

More about the BIG Quiz NIght

Living in Love and Faith is a conversation churches and Christians all across the Church of England are having at the moment. How do we listen, learn and work together in some of the important areas of relationships, marriage, sexuality and identity? And what does it mean to live in love and faith together as a Church?

At Trinity we will be hosting a five session course on Wednesday evenings using the really excellent study materials. Starting Wednesday 3rd November we want to be learning together, listening to one another, and discerning what “growing faith, proclaiming hope and living the love of Jesus” means in these important areas. We’re asking people to register if they’re interested in attending. So find out more – and book on – below.

Find out more about Living in Love and Faith

Cafe Connect is open 9am to 4pm Mondays to Fridays, plus Saturday mornings. You’ll not only find good drinks and great snacks available but also a listening ear and a prayerful presence. Did you know that we meet to pray in the Cafe on Friday mornings from 8.30am till 9am? Come along and join us, we’d love to see you.

Meanwhile CLOISTERS cafe continues on Tuesday mornings 10am to 12pm only. We’ve found our new autumn home at the back of Holy Trinity Church. Whether you’ve been a regular or not yet found your way there yet, we’d love to see you.