Wednesday 24 August 2022

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I hope that many of you will be able to join in the Church Clear Up Day this Saturday, 27th August, 9am-1pm. We will be sorting things out in the church, the church hall attics and offices, and in the garden. I am sure it will also be fun! Any help will be much appreciated. We will provide refreshments.

Sunday 28th August
I hope you will be able to join us for the service. Junior Church and creche will also be meeting. 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

Reflections on the Life of a Diplomat
After the service this 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 next Tuesday 30th August, 7-8.15pm. We will be thinking about the Church and the Sacraments. I will send out more information on Monday.

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.

Ecumenical Service for Creationtide
This will be on 11th September at 17.00, at "Träffer", Schosshaldenstrasse 43, 3006 Bern. It will be followed by an Apero. Everyone is welcome.

Reflection
This last week saw the death of Frederick Buechner. He was an American writer, novelist and poet. He was also a preacher and theologian and a minister in the Presbyterian Church. His fiction, autobiography, essays and sermons were translated into many different languages. I leave you with a passage from his book 'Now and Then: A Memoir of Vocation.'

“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and the pain of it no less than the excitement and the gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”

With love in Christ,
Helen