Weekly Email w/b 23rd January 2023

One of my favourite TV programmes is The Apprentice, where a group of entrepreneurs compete in weekly tasks to win £250K and to be Lord Alan Sugar’s business partner. Last week the task was about creating a 25 second cartoon. One member of the group, Gregory, hardly participated in this week’s task as he felt completely out of his comfort zone and felt he lacked expertise in this area. As a result (Spoiler Alert!) he ended up being fired from the process.

Like Gregory, many times we prefer to stay in our comfort zone rather than stepping out and taking risks. This doesn’t have to be the case, however, as we have the Holy Spirit with us, who leads and guides us, and encourages us to step out and be risk takers in God’s kingdom.

In 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul writes: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” My prayer this year is that we will be more courageous in our decisions and willing to step out of our comfort zones especially in sharing Jesus with others.

Amal Moore
Pioneer Community 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. Nick Webb will be speaking at the 9am and 11am gatherings, whilst Charles Ruxton is at CTK and Peter Madley is speaking at HTBV. For those who haven’t yet met Nick he moved to Shrewsbury relatively recently from the Church in Wales, and is involved in various projects like Street Pastors and the Cost of Living fund here at Trinity. He is ordained as a ‘distinctive deacon’ which you can ask him what that means!

In the evening we’ll be on week three of “Made for Relationship” as Fi Iddon opens up the theme of marriage. Look below for some further resources on this

Activities for 0s-18s continue with Trinity Kids, Trinity Youth and Anon taking place at the 11am gathering.

A last-chance reminder about Jonathan Veira‘s concert on Saturday 28th January. This promises to be a fantastic evening of live music, stories, and a lot of laughter. Tickets are £10 from the Church Office, or direct from the website. All profits from the concert will go towards the Cost of Living Fund.

An evening with Jonathan Veira – 28th Jan 2023

Over January and February 2023 we’re going to be exploring some of the big issues around life, love, and everything in between. So far we’ve looked at some really crucial themes of friendship and family and how we can flourish in the many relational contexts we find ourselves in. We’re now looking at some of the more topical and perhaps more controversial themes around marriage, sexuality and identity. These are obviously big issues across the Church of England, in society, and rolled out on social media and conversations wherever you go!

We’ve made the recordings of the talks available on our website, as well as a selection of resources which will take these issues further… though no one selection of websites will be able to give the fullest voice to this. We’re also hosting an informal Q&A session around these themes on Sunday 19th February. We’ll have the evening service as usual 6.30pm till 7.45pm, and then after a brief break those who would like to can meet to continue the conversation, listen to each other, and reflect together.

Made for Relationship – Resources and talks

 

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. On Easter Day (9th April) we’re offering a chance for adults / young people to be baptised or to renew their baptism vows. Then on Sunday 18th June Bishop Michael, the Bishop of Lichfield, will be with us with the possibility of people being confirmed.

Find out more about baptisms and confirmations

Want to join a group who get together every couple of months to share a meal and “do life” together? Suitable for all ages and ‘stages’, and whether old-timer or newcomer, you’d be very welcome at the next “Big Sunday lunch” taking place on Sunday 5th February. 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!

The BIG Sunday Lunch – 5th February

For many years some of us have attended the New Wine summer conference. This year – perhaps for just one year only – it’s taking place in Kent, and a group of us will be trekking down there for the second week, from Tuesday 1st to Saturday 5th August. Most of us will be staying on site, though there are options to stay elsewhere and come in each day.

There’s an early bird booking by the end of January 2023, or take a look at the New Wine website for more details about team places where you get to serve alongside amazing people and have a free place! New Wine also promises amazing work with children and young people, and is often a spiritual highlight of the year for those who attend.

Interested in coming? Want to find out more? Chat to Phil or Fi who will both be digging out their tents for another year under canvas. Please book directly with New Wine, but let us know if you’re booked so we can all camp together….

Find out more about New Wine