Thursday 7 October 2021

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday. Please do remember that the Grand Prix Run is happening in Bern this weekend and this affects roads and public transport in parts of Bern, including Kirchenfeldstrasse. You may need to allow a little longer to get to church. There is a flyer here.

If you are unable to be in church with us you can follow the service online. We are all very thankful to Hector, Martin and Art for making this possible.

Chairs and COVID certificates
For church services with over 50 people attending it is legally required to check COVID certificates. After much consideration of many factors and various possible approaches, Council has decided not to introduce certificates for services for the time being. This means we need to keep the numbers under 50.
Seats will still need to be booked.

We will be putting back the upholstered chairs after the service this Sunday. If you are able to stay to help us do this, we would be very grateful.

We will need to check COVID certificates for any events (i.e. not services of worship) in the church or hall with over 30 people attending.

Living in Love and Faith
The Church of England has asked all churches to run a 5 week course exploring identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage from a Christian perspective. We will be running this course in church, 7 - 8.30pm, Tuesdays, 12th, 19th, 26th October and 16th, 23rd November.

Meetings will include watching some video presentations and also spending some time for discussion in small groups.

This course is open to members of St Ursula's. If you would like to come, please register with me or with the office as we need to know numbers.

Anyone is welcome to look at the information online at the Living in Love and Faith Learning Hub. Here you will find a wealth of material including books and articles, videos of personal stories, Biblical study, reflection on science and society.

I encourage those who can to come along. The intention of the course is not to push a particular agenda but to allow space to listen to God and to one another and to reflect on these issues in the light of scripture, tradition, reason and experience. There will be a wide range of views amongst us, but it is important that we listen carefully and respectfully to everyone. The facilitators of the small groups will seek to make sure this happens.

Above all, please pray for these sessions and all taking part; for grace, respect, humility and openness to the Spirit.

Large Cross in the Church Garden
The gardening team are proposing that we put up a large cross in the church grounds, as an aid to reflection and prayer and as a witness to the wider community. The council will be considering this proposal.

To help us do make this decision, we are putting up a temporary simple wooden cross in the garden. A permanent cross would not necessarily be of the same design or materials but it will give us an idea of what it would be like to have such a cross in the church grounds. We will leave the temporary cross up for a couple of months so that we all have time to get used to the idea. We will then welcome feedback from the congregation.

Study on Luke's Gospel
There will be a study morning (via zoom) on Saturday 16th October exploring Luke's Gospel, which is the Gospel that will be read at most Sunday services in the church year beginning in a few weeks on Advent Sunday. This is organised by Holy Trinity, Geneva, and will be led by Dr Clare Amos. If you would like to attend, please register by Thursday 14th October: admin@holytrinitygeneva.org.

'Re-discover the Gospel: How to read the Bible with new eyes', 22nd-23rd October, via zoom
Lois Tverberg offers a fascinating tour unlocking the Bible's Jewish heritage, giving us a richer understanding of Christ's ministry. To join the zoom sessions, please register with Elisabeth Bussmann by 16th October: bemdeo@gmail.com.

The gospel reading this Sunday tells of Jesus' challenge to the rich young ruler. What are our true riches and what do we set our hearts on?

True Riches
Keep in mind
how much you lack yourself;
be aware of your own poverty
and dare to hold out your hands
to receive from others
and to learn from them.

Put your trust in God,
wait for his mercy
and for all that you need.
Above all, take Jesus as your riches,
the pearl for which you will give everything,
your treasure in heaven.

(Rule for a New Brother)

With love in Christ,
Helen