Weekly Email w/b 7th November 2022

Remembrance is always a poignant event as we look back with thankfulness for those who gave their lives in two world wars and in other conflicts. This year, the reality of conflict has been all the more visible to us with the invasion of Ukraine. And, like so many others, I’m fearful of what may come in the deeply divided nation of America.

With these thoughts in mind, I’m reminded of two Biblical imperatives. Firstly, the responsibility to pray ‘for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.‘ (1 Timothy 2: 2) However helpless we may feel in the face of huge problems in the world around us we can always pray, and indeed we are commanded to do so. Secondly, I’m struck some more of Paul’s words, this time in his letter to the Romans, ‘If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.‘ (Romans 12: 18)

I love these words from Tish Harrison Warren in her book, ‘The Liturgy of the Ordinary’ as she writes about Passing the Peace and the Everyday work of Shalom. ‘We can sometimes separate the big idea of shalom-seeking from the ordinary warp and woof of life. We make false dichotomies between private and public, between social justice and ‘family values.’ But in Christian worship we are reminded that peace is homegrown, beginning on the smallest scale, in the daily grind, in homes, churches and neighbourhoods. Daily habits of peace or habits of discord spill into our city, creating cultures of peace of cultures of discord.’

With that in mind, may we each ‘pursue all that makes for peace and builds up our common life.’

 

Revd Fi Iddon

Associate Vicar

P.S. Read on for various snippets about autumn leaf clearing, as well as thinking about the “autumn of our lives” at Gravetalk. And there’s mention of our first Advent event with “Curry by Candelight” coming up…

Read our November / December Trinity Life online

 

We are now four weeks or so into our Blessed to be a Blessing initiative. We’ve had some encouraging responses so far, and look forward to reporting back on progress. But we do recognise that we’ve a long way to go!

Did you know that at the heart of this project is the invitation to be generous. We are renewing a “Cost of Living” fund, fuelled by 25% of any new or increased giving to the church. This will go towards individuals, families and specific projects to support people and communities over these next months. If you, or someone you know, are seeking support please be in touch with us.

You can be generous in lots of other ways too. How much your time, your gifts and your money be a blessing to others? There are many needs at the moment, and we want to be inviting everyone to consider what their response might look like. You can do so really easily online by clicking on the link below. Or pick up a paper copy of the response form at Church, complete it, and let us have it back by 27th November.

Blessed to be a Blessing Website

This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday. Our 9am service will include an act of Remembrance in the usual way, and will be recorded and played out “as live” from 10.55am online. Meanwhile a reminder that the mid-morning all-age celebration on this one occasion begins at 10.45am rather than 11am which will help us try and time the act of Remembrance as the clock strikes the hour. At Christ the King the service begins as usual at 10.30am in Radbrook Community Centre. Our speaker there is Valerie Pitt.

At the 630pm evening service our speaker is Alex Aldous as we continue to reflect around “Questions Jesus asked.” These services can be a lovely opportunity for worship, word and ministry. If you haven’t been before – or used to come but have lost the habit – we would love to see you. We meet from 6.15pm in the Trinity Centre for refreshments and time together.

 

From Sunday 20th November to Sunday 27th November we are offering a week-long opportunity to pray. For our nation and for our world. For our community and our church. For our families and ourselves.

We’ve got some great ideas for the prayer room taking place in the Garden Room upstairs in the Trinity Centre. The room will be open for people to pray during the daytimes (8am till 9pm), and then the evenings will either be at home or (by arrangement) in the building.

How might you make use of this gift of time to pray? I know for many this might sound like a “chore” and a “burden”. But countless of us have found that an hour to be still – to savour the quiet, to enjoy the creativity of others and simply linger in God’s presence – is a welcome gift.

More details – and sign up – by clicking here

Advance notice of Sunday 20th November. As well as being Upside Down Church at the 11am service, you’ll also find some Advent gift-buying opportunities after the 9am and before/after the 11am gathering. Stalls will include the Windfall Project, Roy Rak jewellery from Thailand, Fair Trade, and Michael Carding’s book new book of poetry which is fundraising for three local charities. We’re not wanting to turn our morning worship in to a “den of thieves” etc, but you are invited to bring cash / card and whatever else if you want to leave church suitably equipped with some Advent or Christmas gifts.

The Queen’s funeral recently showed us something of how to celebrate someone’s life and mark someone’s death. Readings, music, poems, silence, and ritual all came together to speak of a life well lived.

Have you ever thought about big issues like death, dying, funerals, and how you’d want to be remembered etc? We know lots of us are reluctant to talk about this, and this seeks to be a safe space to talk about big things. We’ve got an experienced GP joining us around the table to bring some professional perspectives to this conversation as well.

We’re meeting in Cafe Connect in Radbrook Green. And – yes – there will be cake! Sign-up is helpful but not essential.

More details – and sign up – by clicking here

An evening of fun and joy for young people and adults alike! Bring your own snacks* and drinks.

Tearfund is a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. They tackle poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters, and challenging injustice. They believe an end to extreme poverty is possible.

More details – and sign up – by clicking here

Talking of autumn leaves, our annual Leaf Clearing Morning takes place on 26th November at 10am. Last year we had about thirty people of all ages come along and help, and everything got done quickly, efficiently and with a lot of fun! Could you join us this year? If you’ve got a wheelbarrow and ake you could bring with you that would be great. We’ll meet in the Churchyard. Speak to a warden or the Church Office for more details.

An Advent “Trinity Men” event at the Third Place in Frankwell for an eat-all-you-can buffet. You’ll find an array of delicious starters, main courses, sundries and desserts. They’ve even offered a ‘proper hot’ curry option for the vicar! We’ll finish around 10pm. Our guest speaker for the evening is Pat Aldred. When not cruising around the world Pat has many years experience as an army chaplain, and is currently based at Shrewsbury Abbey.

We’re asking people to book tickets and to pay online. Or you can phone the Church Office and pay in that way if easier.

More details – and sign up – by clicking here