Wednesday 19 May 2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This coming Sunday, the festival of Pentecost, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first disciples. Our church building is now very full, but you can watch the service online. We are all very thankful to Hector, Martin and Art for making this possible

Men's Group
The group will be meeting on Sunday at 11.30am, via Zoom. If you are not on the mailing list for the Zoom link, and would like to be, please let me know.

Sunday Coffee Time
Every Sunday at 11.30am. We meet together, via Zoom, to share reflections on the readings and sermon. Ask me for the Zoom link.

Bible Study: Reading Mark's Gospel: Tuesday, 25th, 7.00 - 8. 15pm
Every year our Sunday readings focus on one particular gospel - this year the Gospel according to Mark. This was probably the first gospel to be written; it is also the shortest. In the early Christian communities the gospel would have been read aloud and it can be a powerful experience to listen to it being read aloud today. This Tuesday we will listen to the first half of the gospel (chapters 1-8) read by four different readers. I will offer some 'signposts' and comments at various points. Then we will have an opportunity to share our reactions in small groups. The next study session (Tuesday 8th June) we will read chapters 9-16. I hope you will be able to join us. Ask me for the Zoom link.

Everyday Faith
It is good for us to reflect on how our faith affects our lives and to learn from others. Over the last few weeks, there has been a short slot in the service when a member of the congregation has spoken about their faith and daily life. Recently, we have heard from Sue Higson and Michael Agoba. Let me know if you would like to do this. We are also encouraging members of the congregation to make a short video in which they talk about their faith, life and work. Art Funkhouser and Jorum Kirundi have made videos which you can see here. If you would like to make a video yourself, please let me know.

Online Summer Fête
The online summer fête is open for orders. If you have any problems placing an order or need to change an item after sending the order, please contact the events team on Event@stursula.ch

Crisis in Israel/Palestine
As the violence in Israel/Palestine continues, you may wish to use this prayer written by a former Anglican leader in the Holy Land:

Spirit of the living God,
Come afresh on your holy land.
Help your people to restore broken relationships.
Give them patience to break down barriers of suspicion and mistrust;
ability to discern personal prejudices and the courage to overcome fear.
Teach them to respect each other's integrity and rights
so that your kingdom may be established on earth.
For Jesus' sake.
Amen.

Please also pray for the new Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum, whose ministry began in the eye of the current storm just a week ago on Ascension Day.

As we celebrate Pentecost this Sunday we are reminded how much we need the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives life to the church; to our worship, our prayers, our fellowship with one another, and our outreach and service. Let us pray continually for the Spirit to be at work in our own lives, in our church community, and in our world.

'Hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us' (Romans 5:5).

Prayer
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,
ignite in us your holy fire;
strengthen your children with the gift of faith,
revive your Church with the breath of love,
and renew the face of the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

With love in Christ,
Helen