Our sights may be set firmly on the first daffodil rather than brussels sprouts, but this month the Mission focus is Soul Purpose Christmas. Some of you will remember the previous town wide social action mission which encouraged young people to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities. These Soul Purpose weekends were very special times, significant in the faith journeys of many young people, and we look back with great fondness. The main Soul Purpose event ceased to run after the pandemic but you can still find murals that were painted, gardens that were transformed and lives that were changed because of it (including mine!)
What did remain was Soul Purpose Christmas. For the last 17 years this Christmas Day event has been welcoming people from the community who might find Christmas a difficult time. Soul Purpose has its own bank account and organisation but is heavily supported by Trinity, as well as folk from other churches across town. We usually cater for between 80 and 90 people with a delicious Christmas meal (until now overseen by the wonderful Steve Clarkson) followed by a quiz, watching The King, a visit from Santa and some Carols before home time. At the core of Soul Purpose Christmas is a desire to do things 'with' rather than 'for' people. No distinction is made between hosts and guests…other than hosts all doing a 40 minute washing up stint!
We are always grateful for those people who help with organisation, pray for the event, offer lifts, peel vegetables, wrap presents, 'deck the halls' and who serve on Christmas Day. If that's ever been you, then thank you. It's a precious opportunity to speak of the hospitality and great love at the heart of the Christmas story.
Grace and Peace
Fi Iddon, on behalf of the Soul Purpose team.
This Sunday, 25th January, we'll be continuing our sermon series 'Prayers of the Bible'. Our preacher at 9am, CTK and 11am will be Keith Moore with Peter Madley at HTBV. Ian Budd will be speaking at the evening service as we continue our series on 'Glory'. Trinity Youth will be meeting upstairs in the Trinity Centre at 6.30pm. Please note that it's Welly Sunday for Trinity Kids: see below for more information!
PS: Last chance to sign up to 'Beat the January Blues'...see below for more details.
Welly Sunday
It's Welly Sunday, so Trinity Kids age 4-11 will be going out onto the Glebe field during the 11am gathering. Please ensure your child has warm, waterproof outdoor clothes and boots/wellies. We will be meeting in the Trinity Centre from 10.50am so please drop your children off with us on your way into church.
Children aged 3 and under are welcome to come outdoors too but must be accompanied by an adult please. Alternatively, there will be a creche available in the warm, dry Fiwila Room! Please do get in touch with Cerys if you have any questions.
Praying for the vacancy process
This week please be praying...
- That the final advert will reach and prompt those who God is calling last minute to apply for the role and that they will find the time and energy to complete their application form.
- For the Wardens and others as they finalise proposals for a candidate Familiarisation Day, that the programme of meetings and visits will be a representative and meaningful refection of who we are and help the candidates in their discernment.
- For the shortlisting process which is likely to be completed in the week beginning 2 February.
Try Praying
It's great to have around 40 people joining to 'try praying' on Wednesday evenings in the Trinity Centre. There is still time to join us if you would like, or if you know someone else who would like to 'try praying'. Come along to the Trinity Centre at 7.30pm on Wednesday night, and there are more details on the website if you would like them.
Sign up for Try Praying
Beat the January Blues
It's been such a lovely time celebrating together over Christmas that we don't want to leave it behind in January! With that in mind, we are planning a 'Beat the January Blues' party on Saturday 31st January at 5pm. We'll eat some lovely warming pies together – you'll be asked to make a choice when you sign up – and have time for fun and fellowship. We're meeting at 5pm because we want to encourage all ages to be together, and we can cater for any and all dietary requirements. Final sign up is this weekend as we will be finalising numbers first thing on Monday morning.
Sign up for the 'Beat the January Blues' party
First Aid qualifications
As part of our continuing commitment to Health and Safety in all areas of church life, we are looking to establish some guidelines for dealing with incidents in large services. We are very grateful to those of you who have been happy to offer medical assistance when needed in the past, but we would like to have a clearer idea of who has relevant qualifications and is happy to be approached if needed. With this in mind, we've put together a few short form with three questions... please do 'click below' if you are happy to use your medical or first aid qualifications within the church context.
First Aid form
Celebrating the Bell Ringers
Some of you will know that the Shropshire Association of Church Bell Ringers kicked off their centenary year celebrations with a service at Holy Trinity a couple of weeks ago. Many thanks to Shannon who has managed to get permission from ITV to share the lovely footage from the day, which you can find on our website by clicking the link below. Many thanks, as always, to Michael, Andy and all the bell ringing team for all that they bring to life here; we are so grateful.
Shropshire Association of Church Bellringers 100th Anniversary clip
A final farewell from Meole Brace C of E Primary School to their Chaplain
Those of you who were in church last Sunday will know that we prayed for Steve and Judith Clarkson as they begin their new adventure in Bristol. We are so thankful for all that they have both brought to life here over the last three decades. But we thought you might also like to see this picture from the special service that the Primary School held on Tuesday to thank God for all Judith's work as Chaplain. Judith was wrapped in 'bunting prayers' by Year 6 as they sent her on her way with love and thanks.
Trinity Life
The December / January edition of Trinity Life is available at the back of Church and online - do grab a copy for more information about what's coming up in the life of our church.
Trinity Life