Weekly Email w/b 9th August 2021

Dear ::first_name::

Last week saw “Holiday at Home”, and the opportunities over a couple of days of welcoming friends into the beautiful surroundings of the Trinity Centre courtyard. Live music, great food, good company, a bit of armchair aerobics, games galore. Oh – and a lot of trifle. After a difficult few months for many of the people there, especially those more vulnerable and elderly, there was the joy of being out and about, of seeing others, and of being at the heart of the church.

Wherever today finds you – at “home”, on holiday, or somewhere in between – I hope this email finds you in such a place of joy. Do read on, as always, to find various different things taking place in the life of the church, and ways in which we’re continuing to think about what our ‘next steps’ look like across life at Trinity.

With thanks, as always

Phil Cansdale
Vicar and Area Dean of Shrewsbury

This Sunday – 15th August – we continue to meet at 9am and 11am for our Sunday celebrations. We’ll also be meeting at 9.30am at Radbrook Green, and the midweek service will be at 10am on Thursday 19th August.

A reminder that over August we’re going to be making some space for “The BIG Conversation“, and reflecting on our COVID journey of thanking, lamenting, learning and praying. Last week we looked at “thanks”, and this week we come to think about what we are lamenting and grieving for as we look back over these last months. You’ll find resources to accompany this journey on our website, as well as the opportunity to meet one-to-one with someone for a guided conversation. And have you seen in the churchyard at Holy Trinity there are some further ideas to reflect on these four themes…

Let us know you’d like to come to one of our services

Find us on Facebook Live

Join in the BIG Conversation

A reminder of the our continuing guidelines to help keep each other safe at this stage of our COVID journey. We are continuing to ask people to wear face coverings and are enabling you to be able to keep physical distance from others. To help monitor capacity we are requesting that people let us know that they are coming in the usual way, though if you haven’t booked in there should be space for you ‘on the day’ if you turn up. We will, of course, continue online too for those who aren’t yet comfortable in being alongside other people.

We’ll be reviewing this on a regular basis, and are committed to church being a safe space for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns do please chat to one of the team.

The summer also sees some activities for children and youth at our 11am gatherings.

A reminder in particular that – for under 5s – the Fiwila Room is available with a large selection of toys available. The room won’t be staffed, and you will need to stay with your child (or organise for a trusted friend or family member to do so). No drinks or snacks will be provided so please bring your own. You are very welcome, and indeed encouraged, to join with the coffee time after the service. If you have a small, non-mobile, baby then please do make use of the Tower Vestry where the service is livestreamed into the room, with a sofa, changing facilities and some toys available for use.

Since March 2020 a number of us have been meeting daily as part of six o’clock live. It’s been a twenty minute opportunity each day to pause and to pray, to ponder and reflect. We’ve been able to meet through three lockdowns, and along the way have looked at many different themes including the “big story of the Bible” and the book of Ruth, the Sermon on the Mount and reflections on fruitfulness. Thank you so much to all those who have been involved. It has been such a blessing.

After about four hundred gatherings we’re going to take a break over August, and a chance to think about how we’re going to continue from September. Meanwhile over August we’re inviting people to keep up with the six o’clock rhythm, but to plug into a range of other resources which we hope will inspire, equip and encourage you. And we’re asking people to continue the conversation on Facebook, with any particular thoughts or reflections that you can share to encourage one another.

Some resources to help you engage with God each day

Have your say on what happens next

It’s a season of “goodbyes” on the staff team as we prepare to mark the departure of William Small as Operations Manager at the end of the month. Over the last 5+ years he’s been overseeing many of the more ‘practical’ aspects of life here at Trinity, including our finance, personnel and buildings. Whilst much of his work is probably ‘unseen’ by many across the parish it has been hugely appreciated by all of us here as well as at Holy Trinity Belle Vue.

Particularly for those who will have worked alongside William we’re inviting people to contribute towards a leaving gift. Details as below:

PCC Holy Trinity Meole Brace, Christ the King Radbrook
Account Number: 01317554
Sort Code: 30-97-62
Reference: WILLIAM

Join us for an evening of worship – this is for people who are involved in the music team; on the sound desk team; or on the OBS team, or for people who would like to learn the ropes!

This is an opportunity for us to develop our understanding of the sound technology, OBS technology and for us to grow together as a team without the time pressures of a Sunday morning. The evening will help us to improve our awareness of the sound tech – to work together as a wider team and will also allow us time to worship together for an extended period of time.

Let us know you’re coming

We really enjoyed meeting up for a couple of New Wine celebrations a fortnight ago. I think the main talks and gatherings will be available via their website over the next few weeks.

Next year’s New Wine gatherings take place in Peterborough 23rd July to 28th July, and then 29th July to 3rd August 2022. You don’t have to camp, lots of people stay “off site” and then join in with sessions during the day. We tend to go as a group from Trinity to the later dates, ie 29th July to 3rd August. Interested? Thinking about coming? Chat to Fi Iddon or Craig Silcock for more.

More about New Wine 2021