Weekly Email w/b 25th October 2021

You may have read that a few days ago the Queen turned down an award for “Oldie of the Year” in brilliant style because she “didn’t believe she met the relevant criteria” to accept. Her Majesty, aged 95, was asked to accept the award by the British magazine of the same name, “The Oldie”, but graciously declined, saying that “you are only as old as you feel.”

I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds the Queen’s heart for service remarkable, and still going so strong! I’m struck too by her devotion to the God whom she serves, or – as the title of a book a few years ago put it – “The Servant Queen and the King she serves.” Whatever age you are or stage of life you’re at, when the love of God is at work in the hearts of God’s people the result is an amazing life of devotion and service.

“You are only as old as you feel” seems a good adage as we continue to think about the life of serving God and others here at Trinity. A reminder below to encourage others to respond as we try and grow a culture of serving and getting involved. You’ll find below details of some other events coming up, including a service of Remembering, Remembrance Sunday, and a few other activities.

As always, this comes with our prayers as together we are “growing faith, proclaiming hope and living the love of Jesus.”

 

Grace and peace

Phil Cansdale
Vicar of Trinity Churches and Area Dean of Shrewsbury

Thank you to those who responded to last week’s talk by filling in the SERVE leaflet, both on paper and online. It’s been really encouraging to get some responses, but we’re hoping that there are a whole load more forms to come back over the next few days. Wherever you’re living a life of service we’d love to pray for you. And for those who want to get involved in life here we’d love to hear from you. Pick up a leaflet at the back and complete it today, or more easily you can do that off the front page of our website.

Opportunities to serve – find out more

We met recently to update our COVID guidelines for all events taking place in Church. In the light of conditions locally and nationally, and what appears to be a rise in cases, we decided to keep current arrangements broadly in place.

A main change is at the 11am gathering at Meole Brace, particularly with the rising numbers attending. The front four rows of the church – across all pews – will be for those who would like a more distanced seating area. The remaining rows of pews, and the chairs at the back, may have people sitting in each row, with less distance possible between those seated there. We will still be asking people to wear face coverings, especially during singing, as well as ensuring good ventilation, hand hygiene, and each of our personal responsibility of not coming to church if you are unwell.

We remain online at the 11am, as well as for those feeling particularly vulnerable offering a greater distancing at the 9am, 6.30pm and midweek services at Holy Trinity, and at Christ the King. We’ll continue to review these arrangements on a regular basis. If you have any questions or concerns then do please talk to one of the ministry team, or the wardens.

Sunday 31st October sees our services taking place at 9am and 11am at Holy Trinity as usual. There will be the usual pattern of children and youth work at the mid-morning gathering, as well as our online presence in the usual way via Facebook Live.

Remembrance Sunday is 14th November, and to help us keep an act of Remembrance at 11am we’ll be beginning the mid-morning gathering at 10.45am that day.

A special service of Remembering on Sunday 31st October, 3pm to 3.45pm.In particular we are inviting friends and families of those who have died recently to join us. We will read out a list of names of those who have died, and find appropriate ways to remember them together in prayer.

All are welcome, and there’s no need to ‘book in’, just come! If you’d like us to read other names out at the service then do please let us know. We’re also going to be online via Facebook Live in our usual way.

Let us know you’re coming – or a name to be read out

It is the ‘last call’ over the next few days to consider being baptised or confirmed on 28th November.

For those who haven’t already been baptised – either as babies or older – baptism for young people and adults is an amazing opportunity to commit to following Jesus and to live as life-long and whole-life disciples of Christ. Before the big day there will be opportunities to meet together to check out what this means, and to support you as you take a step of faith.

Confirmation is for those who have been baptised already, particularly as babies. It gives people an opportunity to “confirm” for themselves their commitment to follow Jesus and be part of the life of the church, and for your church family to pray for you and cheer you on as part of God’s amazing family here and across the world.

To let us know you’re interested in being baptised or confirmed please answer the questions below, and we’ll then be in touch with you about ‘next steps’ to get ready for November 28th. And if you want to chat further, do talk in particular to Phil, Fi or Craig and we’d love to meet up….

Let us know you’re interested….

We are looking this week at the Holy Habit of generosity and giving. The Bible often encourages us to view things differently from the way the rest of the world view them, and that includes our attitudes towards money, wealth and generosity. Scripture contains some really practical guidance, including Paul’s encouragement that “on the first day of the week (i.e. regularly), each of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income (i.e. proportionately). (1 Cor 16:2)

Over the past eighteen months and more, many people have continued to do exactly that. We are so grateful for your partnership and faithfulness during such a difficult time. Every gift, large or small, has enabled us to continue the life and work of the church. There are big challenges ahead, financially, but with God’s help and yours we can meet them.

If you’re ready to join the many people who give regularly to the church, or to review any aspect of your giving, you’ll find lots of information on our website or you can speak in confidence to Rob Surl or any member of our Stewardship team.

Find out more about giving to Trinity Churches

We are hosting a quiz in the Trinity Centre on Saturday 20^th November at 7:30pm. There will be quiz questions to suit a variety of ages and knowledge bases, and there’s a little something for everyone! Do please invite your friends and family, organise a team of up to 6 people. We are asking people to bring your own drinks and snacks, and sharpen your pencils for an evening of fun.

We’ll also be supporting God’s work across the world, asking people to make a donation to Tearfund. Tearfund is a Christian charity determined to see an end to extreme poverty and injustice. They mobilise communities and churches worldwide to help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their God-given potential.

More about the BIG Quiz NIght