Weekly Email w/b 19th September 2022

We will all have heard Archbishop Justin’s amazing sermon on Monday; surely the greatest preaching challenge of his life. His words were inspired, inspiring, respectful and provocative. His address was also, as my children pointed out, much shorter than an average sermon at Trinity Churches!

Many of us will have been drawn to the way in which Archbishop Justin worked those famous words, ‘We’ll meet again’ to proclaiming the truth of hope in both life and death because of Jesus. But it was this paragraph, nestled in the middle of his sermon that really spoke to me:

“Jesus – who in our reading does not tell his disciples how to follow, but who to follow – said: “I am the way, the truth and the life”. Her Late Majesty’s example was not set through her position or her ambition, but through whom she followed. I know His Majesty shares the same faith and hope in Jesus Christ as his mother; the same sense of service and duty.”

It’s a powerful reminder to each one of us that, wherever life takes us, being a disciple of Jesus means fixing our eyes on Him. Everything stems from that. Imagine the joy for the Queen of meeting King Jesus, whom she has loved so faithfully, and bowing before Him.

Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love and praise.

Hope in life, and hope in death. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for the privilege of walking this journey of hope together.

Revd Fi Iddon
Associate Vicar

In the morning services we’re back to our autumn series on “The Lord bless you and keep you.” Alistair Magowan will be speaking at 9am and 11am at Holy Trinity, with Shirley Stevens speaking at CTK. The 11am service will also be online via our Facebook page in the usual way.

Trinity Kids will be back, as will most of the rest of the team in the more usual age-related groups. Trinity Youth sees Pathfinders meet as usual, and then the return of our ‘Anon Breakfasts‘. Anon members can arrive from 10am for some tasty breakfast and something hot to stave off the impending Autumn weather! Then, during the service on these 4th Sundays of the month, Anon get involved in serving on team. So why not try your hand at sitting with the PA operator, the computer operator, or using the camera, or doing a reading, or helping with refreshments after the service!? Contact Craig or Fi if you are keen to get involved!

In the evening our speaker at the 6.30pm gathering is Alex Cama. We’re thinking about “questions Jesus asked”, and this week come to Jesus calming the storm.

• Pre-school. Our huge thanks to Carol Booles for many, many years of faithful service as pre-school worker. And to her husband Keith for his support alongside her. Over the autumn Cerys is going to continue to oversee our pre-school work, alongside the existing Trinity Tots teams on Mondays (Trinity Centre) and Thursdays (Radbrook).
• Trinity Youth. At this stage and season of family life Craig has asked to reduce his hours as Youth Minister. He will be working all day Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, and will be off duty Wednesdays through to Saturdays. Most aspects of existing youth ministry will continue in terms of Sunday morning Pathfinders and Anon, midweek youth, and our work in Meole Brace school and the Meole estate. I know we will all want to be supporting Craig in this new working pattern, being particularly aware that he won’t be able to respond to emails or phone calls on the days of the week when he is not on duty.
• Messy Church. We now host two Messy Church gatherings each month, meeting at the Trinity Centre (Thursday 6^th October at 4.30pm) and at Belle Vue Church (2^nd October at 9am) We’ve consistently found that Messy Church is one of the easiest way to explore faith for baptism families, “friends of friends”, or those returning to church but not sure where to begin.

We do want to identify the particular challenges of resourcing some of the areas of our work currently. There was a brilliant response to the Messy Church team a few months ago – thank you to all who have rolled up their sleeves and got involved in that! Given the changes in Craig’s role we are particularly aware of the need to build team in supporting our work with young people, with leadership alongside Craig for Monday evening life groups a particular need at the moment. Would you consider getting involved in this or other areas? Please speak to Craig, Cerys, Fi or Phil for more details.

The Alpha Course is back, kicking off on Wednesday 5th October, 7pm to 9.15pm in the Trinity Centre. We start with a meal together, and a chance to get to know a small group of people around the table. There’s then a short talk – usually by video – with time along the way for plenty of discussion where you can share your thoughts. There’s no pressure and no awkward follow-up.

Would you consider coming along? Or bring a friend or family member with you? Or join the hospitality and prayer team. More details from Keith and Amal Moore.

More about the Alpha course

We seek to be a church where praying with each other – and for each other – is a really natural part of how we do life together. An evening hosted by Alistair and Louise Magowan for all those who would like to be part of this, whether for the first time or as a refresher in “prayer ministry” training.

Prayer Ministry training evening

Apple Day returns this year on Saturday 1st October from 12pm. There will be the usual mix of apple-related crafts, food and fun. Bring your own apples and cartons and enjoy the apple presses. Apple crafts for young and old, live music, and our legendary hog roast. The day is hosted by the Windfall Project. Entry is free though some charges apply for crafts and food.

That same day we are also looking for people who would come and help decorate the church for our harvest celebrations. We meet at 10am on Saturday 1st October. No experience required, just come along. It’s great fun, you get to work as a team, and everything you need will be provided… including plenty of coffee and cake. Further information from Judith Haddaway, or via the Church Office.