Weekly email w/b 2nd October 2023

The untimely felling of the sycamore tree adjacent to Hadrian’s Wall last week has prompted an outpouring of a kind of grief from many people for whom the tree held particular significance. It had been a meeting place, a place of celebration, a place of mourning but now, after 300 years, it’s gone.

A couple of days earlier than this tragedy, a party of 50 of us from Trinity Churches visited Hampton Court Castle in Herefordshire. Standing in the parkland, I marvelled at another tree – a vast cedar, now apparently ravaged by a storm and denuded of its branches and most of its bark – and I had wondered at the feelings experienced by those who had known it and seen its untimely demise – the passing of an old friend? Someone had painted a black door at the foot of the trunk. What fairytales were told here to delight many generations?

But there is the story of another tree – a tree that unites us as Christians. It is the tree on which Jesus Christ, our Saviour, died. A tree which has drawn many for 2000 years – a tree which offers solace and hope; which offers a place to put down our burdens and anxieties – a tree which was a place of death, but through which we may find life and peace. We are all invited to draw near to that tree day by day.

If life and peace sounds attractive to you, why not join the Alpha Course, starting this week? (Details are below).

Valerie Pitt, Associate Minister

PS Read on below for all sorts of things including Apple Day and Harvest 2023, Women’s Curry Night and coming to work with us…

Sunday 8th October is our harvest celebrations. It gives an opportunity to be grateful to God, and to remember his call to be good stewards of all that he has made. We’ll be receiving donations in the usual way towards the work of Shrewsbury Food Bank. In particular demand this year are tea, biscuits, tuna, jam and spreads, UHT milk and sanitary towels.

In our morning congregations we are in the swing of things in our autumn series called “Kingdom Come.” We are looking through the book of Nehemiah, which is full of themes like praying and vision, working together, and rebuilding when things are broken down. Keith Moore will be speaking at 9am and CTK, whilst Fi, Cerys and the all-age team will be hosting the 11am gathering, and Alistair Magowan is speaking at Belle Vue at 10.30am.

In the evening we’re gearing up for the next part of our climb up the “Mount Everest” of the book of Romans. Alistair Hornal will be our speaker as we continue to engage with the really excellent new material from the Bible Society. A reminder – for those who have missed it – that you can ‘catch up’ on our Romans series via the sermon archive on the website.

Sermon archive on website

 

TWO DAYS TO GO. This Saturday we will be celebrating all things Apple and Harvest related with crafts, apple pressing, live music and, of course, a hog roast. This is such a great community day. The Flower ‘fairies’ will be busy in the morning decorating the church as well as wider Apple Day team getting everything ready, and we start at 12pm. Thanks so much to everyone who has offered to join the team. Bring yourself, and do bring friends, family and others with you. Everyone welcome!

 

Alpha and The Romans Course kicked off this last week on Wednesday night. It’s not quite too late to join if you’d like to. These are both really great ways to go deeper in faith and get to know other people from church.

Find out more about Alpha and sign up
Find out more about Romans and sign up

Our next Trinity Women’s Curry Night takes place in a few days time on Thursday 12th October, 7pm at Saffron Cottage in Ford. You’ll be treated to a beautiful Indian buffet and an evening to enjoy fun and fellowship together. As part of the evening Cerys Hughes will also be giving a short reflection. Find out more – and sign up – online or by phoning the Church Office.

Trinity Women Curry Night

We’re currently looking to make some new staff appointments. Might this be you? Or someone who you know?

• Preschool worker (12 hours per week, termtimes ++) to work alongside the Children and Families’ Minister to deliver and develop the church’s vision to reach families with 0-5 year old children with the love of God
• Church Verger (2 hours per week plus weddings, funerals, some baptisms) to be on the frontline in welcoming people of all ages of life and stages of faith to Meole Brace Church. You’ll ensure that the Church building is prepared and ready as a place of welcome, hospitality and mission for our regular Sunday services as well as weddings, funerals, baptisms and other events
• Welcome Assistants (flexible, esp weekdays needed) to welcome guests, offer great hospitality, and help prepare and clean a busy centre at the heart of the local community.

If you’d like a conversation about any of these roles chat to one of the ministry team, or give the Church Office a ring on 01743 362399. The jobs and application forms will be ‘live’ on our website from this weekend, with closing dates coming up in October.

Work with us at Trinity Churches