Wednesday 10 May 2023

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It was good to watch the Coronation of Charles III with many of you in the church hall last Saturday. A very big thank you to those who made sandwiches, cakes and scones and set up and cleared up. We had a number of visitors who joined us for the occasion. It was also good to welcome James Squire, the British Ambassador, to lead our prayers for King Charles in our service on Sunday morning.

This coming Sunday, 14th May, will be our monthly All Age Eucharist. This is a shorter, simpler service, with the children in the service throughout and taking part in different ways. I encourage everyone, especially families and children to come along.

Tuesday Online Studies
Last night we started our new study sessions on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's classic little book Life Together. Bonhoeffer was a German pastor who was executed by the Nazi regime in 1945. Benjamin Vaytet is leading us in these studies. Benji is doing his PhD at the University of Geneva on Bonhoeffer's vision of the church.
I am very thankful to Benji for leading the session so well last night.
For those who are interested, I am attaching his notes with this email.
Our next session will be next Tuesday 16th, May, 7.00- 8.15pm, via Zoom.

Ascension Day, 18th May
On Ascension Day we remember the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, his return to the Father, and his promise of the Holy Spirit. As we worship our Risen and Glorified Lord, we pray for a fresh outpouring of his Spirit upon us.
There will be a Eucharist at 10am. Please do join us.

Archdeaconry Choir Festival, Saturday 20th - Sunday 21st May
The Archdeaconry Choir Festival 2023 takes place in Basel. Choirs of the Chaplaincies of the Swiss Archdeaconry will be singing Choral Evensong, 17:00 on Saturday 20th May, and Choral Eucharist, 10:00 on Sunday 21st May. Everyone is welcome. Please see the attached flyer for more details.

Pentecost, 28th May
Please do put this date in your diaries. This is a very special day in the life of the Church, when we celebrate the coming of the Spirit on the first disciples and the preaching of the gospel to people of different nations and languages. It is a good day to celebrate the international nature of our church community and to remember that we are all one in Christ.
There will be two special events taking place on this Sunday:

• Time and Talents Auction: We are one in the Spirit but we are all different, with different gifts. As we celebrate this, we are invited to offer our time and talents to raise money for the church. Please fill in a form with what you can offer (eg an hour's language lesson, an hour's gardening, cooking a meal, etc.) and put it in the red box in the upper hall. After our worship on 28th May, we will hold the auction and invite bids for the different talents and services offered.
• International Lunch: As we have done so successfully in previous years, we invite you to bring some food from your own nation or local area to share. If you have a national dress, we encourage you to wear it. This has been a very colourful and joyful occasion in the past, so don't miss it!

I leave you with a well known poem which encourages us to make time in the busyness of our lives to appreciate the beauty all around us. As we 'stand and stare' let us give thanks to God.

Leisure

What is this life if, full of care
we have no time to stand and stare? –

no time to stand beneath the boughs
and stare as long as sheep or cows:

no time to see, when woods we pass,
where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

no time to see, in broad daylight,
streams full of stars, like skies at night:

no time to turn at Beauty's glance,
and watch her feet, how they can dance:

no time to wait till her mouth can
enrich that smile her eyes began?

a poor life this if, full of care,
we have no time to stand and stare.
William Henry Davies, 1911

With love in Christ,
Helen