Wednesday 4 August 2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I send warm greetings from the UK. The sun is shining here though we can't get out to enjoy it (yet) as we are still in quarantine. But David and I are in good heart and keeping you all in our prayers.

I heard that the service last Sunday went very well. A big thank you to Archana for leading and James for reading my sermon. The worship on this coming Sunday, 8th August, will again be a Service of the Word and James will be leading the service and Archana reading my sermon. I am very grateful to them both for their support. If you would like a seat on Sunday please contact the office by tomorrow morning.

As usual, you can also follow the Sunday service online: Service Resources at St Ursula's Church, Berne. We are all very thankful to Hector, Martin and Art for making this possible.

Tuesday Gathering, 2.30–4pm, 10th August
Come along to chat, share and pray together over a cup of tea. The Pastoral Care team are providing tea, coffee, cake and and an opportunity to meet together. This will be either outside or in the upper hall. Covid restrictions (distancing and masks) will apply inside. If you would like to come along please contact Lynn Morgan by Monday 9th on infaith40@gmail.com or 078 891 07 35. A big thank you to Lynn and Brian for organising this.

Sundays 15th, 22nd, 29th August
There will be a Eucharist on each of these Sundays led by our Archdeacon, Adele Kelham. Please extend a very warm welcome to Adele and look after her! I am very grateful for her help and support. The services will also be online in the usual place.

Chaplain's Holidays
David and I are on holiday from 9th - 30th August, seeing family and friends in the UK. I am thankful for everyone who is looking after St Ursula's while I am away. I hope that you all keep well and in good heart during this time and I look forward to seeing you again when I return.

This Sunday I will be reflecting on Jesus' words 'I am the bread of life.' Through Christ, we feed on the abundance of God's love. One of the images in the Bible and in our Eucharistic prayers is that of the heavenly banquet where we will feast together in God's kingdom. The poem below seeks to express something of the rich nourishment and abundant love which God freely offers to us.

The Church's Banquet

Not some strict modicum, exact allowance,
Precise prescription, rigid regimen,
But beauty and gratuitous abundance,
Capacious grace, beyond comparison.
Not something hasty, always snatched alone;
Junkets of junk food, fuelling our dis-ease,
Not little snacklets eaten on the run,
But peace and plenty, taken at our ease.
Not to be worked for, not another task,
But love that's lavished on us, full and free,
Course after course of hospitality,
And rich wine flowing from an unstopped flask.
He paid the price before we reached the inn,
And all he asks of us is to begin.

Malcolm Guite

With love in Christ,
Helen