Wednesday 17 August 2022

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday. It is wonderful to have our families and children back in church.

If you are not able to come in person on Sunday you can find the readings and hymns for the service here: Service Resources at St Ursula's Church, Berne

Thank you from Julie and Ernest
Below is a thank you message I received from Julie:
Thank you so much for your warm friendship and generous hospitality during our recent stay in Church House while Julie covered services for Helen. We very much enjoyed meeting everyone - familiar faces and some new ones. Bern of course is a wonderful city - good walks, fantastic views, and the beer and the bears! We also enjoyed our trips on Thun See (Julie) and to Luzern and Rigi. St Ursula’s has a very special place in our hearts, and we will continue to think of you and pray for you. Love, peace and blessings, Julie and Ernest

Church Clean Up Day
Do come and join us on Saturday 27th August, from 9am onwards, as we do a clear up of the church and hall. I am sure it will also be fun and refreshments will be provided. All help is very welcome.

Reflections on the Life of a Diplomat
After the service on Sunday 28th August, Manuel Sager will be interviewing Rick Slettenhaar about his life and work. Rick is the Deputy Dutch Ambassador and a regular member of our congregation. Please join us for this informal interview and conversation. It should be fascinating!

Online Discussion of the Creed
Our next session will be by zoom on Tuesday 30th August, 7-8.15pm. We will be thinking about the Church and the Sacraments.

Creation Sunday, 4th September
We will be welcoming Professor John Wyatt as our preacher, and he will also lead an informal discussion about his work after the service. Professor Wyatt is Emeritus Professor of Neonatal Paediatrics, Ethics & Perinatology at University College London. He is also a senior researcher at the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Cambridge. He is a doctor, author, speaker and research scientist. He is currently engaged in addressing new ethical, philosophical and theological challenges caused by advances in medical science and technology and reflecting on the interface between cutting-edge science and Christian faith.
Do come to the service on Creation Sunday and join in the discussion afterwards.

Reflection from David Low
Many of you will know David and Annemarie Low. They were members of St Ursula's for many years and David preached regularly as a licensed Reader. I am attaching a reflection he wrote recently to mark the feast of the Transfiguration and to mark his birthday.

Our attitude to our phones and other technological devices
I leave you with a prayer I came across recently which asks for God's help in a right use of our mobile phones, computers and other technological devices We are all aware that we can spend an inordinate amount of time using these things and they can distract us from our relationship with God and other people. You may find the prayer below helpful.

Loving Father,
thank you for the gift of technology and what it makes possible:
to share our news, contact our families, and to work in creative ways.
I am sorry when my phone and other devices become more important
than my own well-being,
more important then my friends and families,
and more important than you.
I commit my relationship with my phone
and other forms of modern technology to you.
Give me wisdom in how I use them,
and help me to find times to lay them aside
to rest in you and you alone.
Amen

With love in Christ,
Helen