This week we hear about the 'Welcome Network' initiative from the Mission, Relief and Development Committee.
'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.' Matthew 25:35
What would it look like if every refugee seeking safety and a home in the UK were welcomed by a local church? This is the vision of Welcome Churches, an organisation that seeks to be God's hands and feet to those in the UK in need of love and compassion.
One way they seek to do this is through the Welcome Network, which identifies churches across the UK that are committed to extending a welcome to refugees and people seeking asylum as they move from place to place. Churches and other agencies can refer a person who has moved from their area to a church in their new area, with the assurance that they will receive friendship and support. These church-to-church connections help to fulfill the Welcome Churches vision: that no refugee should be on their own, and that every refugee should be welcomed by their local church.
Abbas, a Kurdish refugee writes 'Before I found the church, I was really struggling. All my family was gone. I felt so lonely and lost. I remember the first time I visited my church; I felt so welcome and I found a new life. I was really encouraged, especially when people prayed for me. I had lost my whole family, but with my church I have found a new home and a new family'.
As a church we are excited to have recently joined the Welcome Network and look forward to hopefully welcoming more people to our community. We may not be in a particularly diverse area, but as a church we want to offer welcome and care to all.
Welcome churches provide churches with resources and training to be able to learn and respond well to the needs of refugees and how we may best be able to support them. If you would like to know about this exciting venture or how you could access resources then please do speak to me.
Grace and Peace
Liz Lewis, Chair of the Mission, Relief and Development Committee
This Sunday, 26th April, we'll be continuing our morning sermon series looking at the book of Hebrews. Our preacher at 9am and 11am will be Ian Budd, with Alex Aldous speaking at CTK and Fi Iddon at HTBV. The evening service is beginning a new sermon series on 1 Timothy, and Anne Roberts will be speaking on the opening verses. Trinity Youth will be meeting at 6.30pm upstairs in the Trinity Centre, as they continue studying Revelation.
Electoral Roll
We did a full revision of the electoral roll last year, but for those of you who have joined our church family since then, we would love to invite you to join the Electoral Roll – which is simply a list that says you belong here (and we are glad that you do!) There will be paper forms available in Church on Sunday but the easiest way to join is by clicking the link below...
Join the Electoral Roll
PCC and Deanery Synod Elections
Advance notice that our APCM, the closest thing that we have to an AGM, takes place on Sunday 17th May at 6.30pm. It's an opportunity to look back with grateful thanks, and look forward with prayerful hope. It's also a chance for people to ask questions in relation to any part of Church Life. As part of this, we will be electing a number of people to serve on the PCC and Deanery Synod. If you might be interested in one of the vacancies (and particularly if you are from our potentially under represented congregations of 9am, CTK and the evening service) then please do have a word with one of the Ministry Leaders team, or with one of the Church Wardens. I'm delighted to say that the wardens are all happy to stand for re-election (though this does not mean you cannot express an interest, should you wish to do so).
Spring Walk: tomorrow
Tomorrow, Saturday 25th April, we'll be meeting at 10.30am in St Mary's Lane carpark in Much Wenlock to enjoy a Spring walk to look at the bluebells. The distance is about 7 miles, and it's helpful if you can sign up via the website.
Sign up for the Spring Walk
God Outdoors
We are really looking forward to be spending four weeks exploring our Creator in, and through, His Creation. We had a fabulous first session this week, and for those of you who asked for Richard's slides then a 'copyright friendly' version will appear on the website later today. We're so grateful to those people who will be leading us as we seek to deepen our awareness of the goodness of God.
Details of each event, including meeting places and wet weather plan, are on the website. There is generally no need to sign up, but it would be helpful to know numbers for 'Creator in Creation' which Lydia will be leading this Monday. Our hope is that these sessions will appeal to those of us who may have been following Jesus for a longtime, alongside those who may be exploring faith. All are welcome!
Richard's powerpoint from God in the Rocks
Find out more about (and sign up for) Creator in Creation (This Monday)
Big Sunday Lunch
Our next Big Sunday Lunch is a fortnight on Sunday. Those of you who are in groups will hopefully have an invitation winging its way to you in the next few days. If you aren't in a group, but would appreciate some space around the dinner table – or indeed would like to join a group, then you can sign up via the link below
Sign up for the Big Sunday Lunch
St George's Day
As most of us will know, St George's Day was earlier this week. We are so grateful to Andy who makes sure we have the right flags flying on the Tower on the right days - one of the many 'behind the scenes' roles that are so important here at Trinity. With all the current controversy over flags, particularly in Shrewsbury, Charles has pointed us to this excellent article by Martyn Snow in the Church Times which I've certainly appreciated reading.
Church Times Article
Fun in the Sun
Every year we put together a programme that encourages us to have 'Fun in the Sun' together. If you've got any ideas for things that are accessible (both in terms of cost and location) to our church family - whether a particular group or all of us - then we would love to hear from you! Do speak to Fi or one of the ministry leaders team, or give the office a call.
Trinity Life
The latest edition of Trinity Life is available both at services and on the website.
Trinity Life
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