Weekly Email w/b 6th November 2023
I was in town over half term, and found myself sheltering momentarily in “Memory Lane”, the antiques and vintage shop. I had no intention of buying anything, but was just loitering for a few minutes before meeting up with some friends. I walked up the stairs, past an amazing array of prints and pictures, looking at my watch and wondering when it was time to leave.
It was then this picture caught my eye. “I know that place” I said to myself, recognising this fairly well-known view of Meole Brace churchyard. In a fairly tatty frame – and sadly the mount is water-damaged – it is a 1979 painting by a “P Marrs.” (Anyone?) The price tag was a princely £5, though it won’t surprise you I said to the shop owner “what’s the discount if I’m the vicar of the church” and so we shook on £4. And so I walked out with the picture, and it is now awaiting a bit of TLC before it finds its way onto my study walls.
A few, though not many, reading this will have been in the church in 1979. The scene of this painting is little changed, and the 1860s building from the outside remains unchanged. And yet I wonder how the life of the church has changed in that time, not just the building but the story of the people of God in this place? Developing work in Radbrook Green and the Meole Estate. A cafe, the Trinity Centre, and Messy Church. Different congregations, mission links abroad, and more recently partnering with God’s work in Belle Vue. The wider life of the church – locally, nationally, and internationally – will look different too. One picture, albeit for four pounds, is never going to capture that.
Also – just out of shot in this picture – is the Bather memorial. Perhaps we also need those words, which read “Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today and forever.” It is this faithfulness of God writ large through scripture, and which in the midst of some of the joys as well as concerns of the life of the Church in the UK we need to hear.
Grace and peace
Phil Cansdale, Vicar
It’s Remembrance Sunday this weekend, and at each of our morning congregations we’ll be having an act of Remembrance and a chance to pray and commit ourselves to the cause of peace. A reminder that our mid-morning service at Meole Brace begins at 10.45am rather than the usual time of 11am so that we can have pause at 11am. We’ll be welcoming local uniformed groups to join in this act of worship.
In our morning congregations we are nearing the end of our series called “Kingdom Come”, looking through the book of Nehemiah. Nick Webb is speaking at 9am, Valerie Pitt speaking at CTK, and Fi, Cerys and the all-age team are hosting the mid morning gathering. Meanwhile Phil Cansdale will be speaking at Holy Trinity Belle Vue.
In the evening we’re gearing up for the next part of our climb up the “Mount Everest” of the book of Romans. We’re going to be putting ourselves in the shoes (sandals?) of the early church in Rome, and Judith Drury will be speaking as we get to Romans chapter 12.
One of our big ideas for this year is to bless the local communities with some knitted choirs of angels, which in mid-December will be ‘winging their way’ to various public spaces in Meole Brace and Radbrook Green. People will be able to take one to decorate their own homes, and to think what it might mean for each and every one of us to ‘join the song’ the angels sang when Jesus was born.
As we work towards this we’d love to reach our goal of three hundred small knitted figures. Are you able to help us with this? You can do so from your own home, ideally using the sample pattern. Or come and join with others and enjoy being creative alongside other people. Dates and times as below. For more details contact Amal Moore via the Church Office who can also let you have a copy of the suggested pattern, or via the Church Office (email or in person)
The Meet Place. Thursdays 23/11 and 7/12 from 1.15pm to 2.45pm
The Trinity Centre. Tuesdays 14/11, 5/12, 12/12 from 10am to 12pm.
The Trinity Centre. Thursdays 16/11, 23/11, 30/11 from 7.30pm to 9pm.
We’re hoping this could be a really fun thing to be doing together, as well as a small way of blessing our local communities as Advent begins and Christmas approaches.
We’re so grateful to all those who help keep the gardens and grounds around the Church looking so beautiful at all times of year. Our gardener Tim Creyke is looking for volunteers to form a working party to do some undergrowth clearance, and tree and hedge planting in the Glebe Field. If you could spare one or two Saturday mornings over the next 2 months please contact Tim via the Church Office.
Meanwhile we’ve changed the date of our annual leaf clearance, a bit worried that 18th November might be too early this year. So we’ve reconvened for Saturday 2nd December in the morning. Could you come along, and bring suitable rakes / brooms etc. This really is one of those “many hands make light work” moments, and could be a great fun way of getting together with other people on a Saturday morning. Many thanks.
The final Big Sunday Lunch of 2023 takes place on Sunday 19th November. 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. 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!
One of our monthly ZOOM prayer gatherings is for our work with children, young people, families, schools etc. Join us on ZOOM on Thursday 16th November, 8pm to 8.40pm. We’ll send you a zoom link when you sign up. Do come and join us!
There are also separate prayer groupings where we pray for our schools and Holy Trinity Preschool, so this time will be very much focused around our specific ministries to children, young people and their families.
Join us for our usual evening of Christmas Creative fun! Price includes a glass of Prosecco and Mince Pies. Crafts will be an extra cost (between £1-£3) so please do bring some money along with you. Proceeds from this event will be going to support relief work in Morocco.
The latest Trinity Life is now out, with a slightly shorter-than-usual edition which gives us space and time to get ready for Christmas. You’ll find in there details of the Life Exhibition coming up the week after half term, Remembrance Sunday – including a reminder of the 1045am start – and Create for Christmas. Pick up a copy in Church, or click below for a link.
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