Wednesday 25 January 2023

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It was good to see many of you at the ecumenical service in the Munster last Sunday. We will be back at St Ursula's as usual this Sunday.

Bible Study
Our next Bible study will be on Tuesday 31st January, 7-8.15pm (via Zoom). We will be looking at 1 Corinthians 1: 18- 31 (one of our readings on Sunday.) Ask me or the office for the zoom link. Everyone is welcome.

Candlemas
We will hold a special Eucharist on Thursday 2nd February, 7pm, to mark Candlemas. This is when we remember the baby Jesus being presented in the temple by his parents and the prophecies of Simeon and Anna about this child. Simeon calls the child 'a light for revelation to the Gentiles', and so it is traditional to celebrate Christ's light by filling the church with candles that day. (Hence it is called Candlemas).
Do come along and join us for this service of light. There will also be food and drink after the service (either in Church House or in the Upper Hall, depending on numbers). If you are able to bring a dish that would be great. Please let me or the office know if you plan to come and if you can bring some food.

Electoral Roll
We would like to encourage those who are new to St Ursula's to join our electoral roll. This is a very easy process: you need to complete a simple form. When you are on our electoral roll you will be listed as a regular worshipping member of our community and you will be able to vote in elections for council members and churchwardens at our AGM (which will be held 26th March). There are electoral roll forms available in church. Survey
We would like to know how many people use our church website, and which parts of it, and whether people read our magazine and my weekly newsletters. Here is a link to a very simple survey. We would be very grateful if you could fill in this survey by 30th JANUARY if possible. It will help us to know how we can improve our church website, magazine and other forms of communication.

We also have some printed copies available at church for those who prefer not to do it online. Thank you very much for your support.

Choir Festival
The traditional Archdeaconry Choir Festival will take place in Basel this year, 19-21 May. Choirs and singers from several Anglican chaplaincies in Switzerland will sing together at a choral Evensong on Saturday 20th and a sung Eucharist on Sunday 21st May. The weekend begins with a first joint practice on Friday evening (19th). Further details about music and organisation will be announced soon.

Practices will be organised for any interested singers at St Ursula's who want to participate in the Choir Festival. Please contact Hans-Karl or Elizabeth by the end of February: hanskarl.pfyffer@bluewin.ch

As we approach Candlemas, I leave you with this beautiful piece of choral music often sung at this festival. Click here to listen.

With love in Christ,
Helen