Weekly Email w/b 20th March 2023

March 23, 2023

Perhaps you saw in the headlines recently some controversy surrounding the release of Oxfam’s new ‘Inclusivity Document’? A document created to help employees and volunteers use more inclusive language to show people dignity globally. They have received quite a lot of criticism, mainly due to the potential money and resources spent on creating such a document, described as ‘beyond parody’ by one journalist.

As I have reflected on the commentary, I’ve been reminded of Jesus’ challenge to Judas after his scathing criticism of Mary’s extravagant worship as she poured expensive perfume at Jesus’ feet. (John 12) This is perhaps a reminder that overcoming poverty is rarely achieved simply by using money, that we need to be measured in our judgments and that grace is a necessary ingredient as we seek to transform society through the love of God.

Many of you will know that I’ll be stepping down from my role as Youth Minister, I would like to extend a wholehearted thanks to the church community for your support and encouragement over the last five years.

Craig Silcock, Youth Minister

This Sunday we’re meeting as usual across the four congregations at Trinity, as well as continuing to serve our neighbouring parish of Belle Vue. As we begin to reach the end of our series on Isaiah Phil Cansdale will be speaking at the 9am and 11am gatherings at Meole Brace as well as at CTK at 1030am, whilst Keith Moore will be speaking at HTBV. Gareth Evans is our speaker at the evening congregation as we continue to look through some of the Psalms and how they speak to us about “whole-life worship”.

The clocks go FORWARD this weekend. In an age of smartphones and whatever else most people will remember the new times, but here’s a reminder just in case…

We’ve a couple of weeks to go on our Lent journey of “faith, failure and forgiveness.” Alongside the booklets for adults and families, we’re engaging with this journey at six o’clock live each day and various midweek events. Coming up:

Lent Experience for children and families takes place on Sunday 26th March at Holy Trinity Church. See separate invites which have gone out.
Lent Worship Evening. For musicians from across the congregations. We’ll be learning some new songs, ‘polishing’ some old songs, and thinking how best to worship and work together. Wednesday 29th March, 7.30pm – 9.30pm at Holy Trinity Church.

Find out more about Lent events – and RSVP for each of these

You’ll find on our website outline details of what’s taking place for Holy Week and Easter this year. In particular:

Palm Sunday (2nd April)
Services across the parish, as well as a 3pm Service of Remembering (see below)

Monday to Wednesday Holy Week (3rd to 5th April)
6 o’clock live as usual

Maundy Thursday (6th April)
4pm to 5pm. Meal for children and families
7pm to 9pm. Evening meal and worship (Belle Vue Church) RSVP

Good Friday (7th April)
9.30am Good Friday All-age worship (Meole Brace Church)
9.30am Good Friday Gathering (Christ the King)
2pm to 3pm. House at the Cross (Meole Brace Church)

3pm Good Friday till 6am Easter Day is “Watching and Waiting.” Sign up for an hour (or more) of prayer, daytimes (9am to 9pm) at Holy Trinity Church, nights (9pm to 9am) at home. More details and sign up on website www.trinitychurches.org/easterprayer

Easter Day (9th April)
6.30am Easter Morning Service (Meole Brace Gardens)
9am Easter Day Gathering (Holy Trinity Church)
1030am Easter Day Gathering (Christ the King)
11am Easter Day Gathering with baptisms (Holy Trinity Church)
6.30pm Easter Day Evening Celebration (Trinity Centre)

You’ll find more details of all of these on our website.

Holy Week and Easter events

Want to join a group who get together every couple of months to share a meal and “do life” together?

Our next Big Sunday Lunch takes place on Sunday 26th March. Suitable for all ages and ‘stages’, and whether old-timer or newcomer, you’d be very welcome. For those already in a group then details should be winging their way to you over the next few days. And if you’d like to join a group – and make the most of opportunities of getting to know other people at Trinity – then let us know and we’ll find some space around a Sunday lunch table near you!

Let us know you’d like to come

You are invited to our next “Service of Remembering” taking place on Sunday 2nd April 2023 at 3pm at Holy Trinity Meole Brace. These services usually last about 45 minutes. We read out a list of names for those for whom we have taken funerals, as well as other names of those perhaps long deceased but still very much on our hearts. There are opportunities to light a candle as a sign of remembering, and to enjoy the stillness and peace of the church which has been part of people’s remembering for many, many generations. We’ll hear again of the Christian gifts of faith, hope and love which feel particularly timely as Easter approaches. We’ll finish with refreshments at the back of church hosted by our team.

And finally…. our latest copy of “Trinity Life” is now out. You’ll find further details of Lent and Easter events, as well as a sneak-preview to a few May gatherings like the King’s Coronation and REVS. You’ll also find readings etc for March and April, and a sense of a few of the different things taking place in our shared life here at Trinity.

Download and Read online