I’m sure that many of you have seen the film Conclave (and appreciated the accompanying conversations about how the Roman Catholic Church can choose a Pope in a matter of days, but the Church of England takes months and months for a new Vicar!) It’s a great film, and definitely worth a watch… There were a few things I particularly noticed in the film, but I was most struck by the fact that the cardinals don’t cook and clean for themselves, but rather have other people to do this for them.
It gave me much food for thought because I know that the times where I am most challenged and formed by the Holy Spirit into the likeness the One I follow is in the ordinary things of life; in the mundane tasks of cleaning, washing up, ironing, hanging out washing, giving lifts to teenagers, cooking and tidying up. It’s perhaps because I don’t always have the best attitude about such things that this is the arena for formation! But, for whatever reason, this is where and how I know God forms me. And it’s when God is most likely to speak to me, too.
Brother Lawrence, who wrote a great deal about finding God in domestic tasks, and talked about how it is not the greatness of the work that is carried out that matters to God, but the love with which it is done. So whatever you are doing today and this weekend, my prayer is that we will each recognise the presence of Jesus with us, and accept His invitation to be formed into His wonderful likeness.
Grace and Peace
Fi Iddon, Associate Vicar
This Sunday, 14th September, we’re finishing our ‘Summer in the Psalms’ sermon series, looking at Psalm 84 and what it means to Dwell in God’s presence. At 9am and Belle Vue our speaker will be Charles Ruxton, with Keith Moore speaking at CTK. At 11am the All Age team will be leading us. In the evening we will be beginning a new series looking at Parables, and Kevin Roberts will be speaking. Trinity Youth will be meeting at 6.30pm upstairs in the Trinity Centre.
Ride and Stride
This annual event, a fundraiser for the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust, takes place tomorrow, Saturday 13th September. Many churches in our county, including both Holy Trinity, Meole Brace and Holy Trinity, Belle Vue, will be open for those who would like to explore (and maps and more information of open churches are available from Peter and Gill Madley). If you would like to encourage friends or family to sponsor you, then there are also forms available. Andy Jowett is leading a cycle group for a ‘gentle’ ride on that day, leaving HTMB at 1.30pm and lasting about two hours. You can also support this initiative by donating using the envelopes provided. More information is available at the back of church, or from Peter and Gill Madley.
Apple Day
Apple Day is a fabulous community event, hosted by the Windfall Project and Trinity Churches which this year will take place on Saturday 4th October. As you know, we’ll be encouraging you to come along and support this, and perhaps even get involved in serving for a small part of the afternoon in some way. Watch out for notices over the next few weeks, and if you’ve got any questions then please do speak to Rachel Woods.
Radbrook Community Tea
Our next Radbrook Community Tea takes place on Wednesday at 2pm. All our welcome for cakes, company and entertainment. Please do come along, or let someone know who you think might be interested in joining us.
Women’s Night Out
All Trinity Women, and guests, are warmly invited to this evening at Ego at The Grapes. Our speaker will be Judith Clarkson. For more information, speak to Amal Moore, or sign up using the link below…
Sign up for the Trinity Women’s Night Out
Mission Relief and Development Committee donation to Afghanistan
As many of you will know, Trinity Churches tithes (gives 10%) of all that is received in the weekly collection and through planned monthly giving to mission and ministry outside the parish. A portion of this is kept back each year to allow us to respond to emergency needs around the world as they arise. This week the MRDC authorised a donation of £1000 to a Christian charity that we know is working in the area of Afghanistan devastated by the recent earthquake. For security reasons we have been advised not to publicly name this charity, but do speak to Liz Lewis, Chair of the MRDC, if you would like to know more. It’s a privilege to be able to give, and we are grateful for ‘on the ground knowledge’ which means we can allow this giving to be targeted and effective.
Celebrating the Life of Mike Haddaway
A service of thanksgiving for the life of our dear friend Mike Haddaway will be held at Holy Trinity, Meole Brace on Friday 19th September at noon. All are welcome. Would church family please be mindful of the parking needs of those travelling a greater distance (and who are less familiar with the area) and walk, lift share or park in the Brooklands car park where possible.
Trinity Life
You can find out about all this, and more, in our latest edition of Trinity Life – available in the back of church on Sunday or by clicking the link on the front page of the website which is below…
Trinity Life