Wednesday 16 August 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It was such a joy last Sunday to baptise Laeticia and Leo, Nico and Chloe and to see the church so full!

This Sunday, 20th August, we will be welcoming Revd Claire Finlay who will be on placement with us for the next week. Claire has recently been priested in the Church of England and would like to find out more about ministry in the Diocese in Europe. After the service on Sunday, I will be interviewing Claire about her life, faith and ministry. Do join us!

Online Bible Study
We will be meeting on Tuesday 22nd August, 19:00- 20:15, via zoom. We begin a series of 3 studies on the Old Testament story of Joseph. David's sermon on Sunday will also focus on this story. I will send out the zoom link for this soon.
To prepare for this session, please read the story of Joseph (Genesis chapter 37 and chapters 39-45) if you can. But you are still welcome if you haven't read it!

Lectio Divina
A group of us meet every Thursday morning, 10:30-11:15am, via zoom, to meditate on a short Bible passage and share our reflections. Ask me for the zoom link.

Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat: The Musical
As we focus on the story of Joseph over the next few weeks, we invite you to join us to watch the Joseph Musical (by Andrew Lloyd Webber). Some of you will know this very popular musical. We will be showing this at 7pm, Thursday 24th August in the Upper Hall. (The Musical lasts around 90 minutes) Some of you will know this very popular musical. It should be a fun evening, but it may prompt some interesting discussion about the story.

Confirmation Service
On 10th September, Bishop Robert (our Bishop) will come to St Ursula's for our confirmation service. Laeticia Elanga Mpolo, Delali Agoba, Joana Agoba, Manu Lehmann, and Zornitsa Holden will be confirmed, and Helene Vogt will be received into the Anglican Church. After the service, there will be a celebratory lunch for the whole congregation. We invite everyone to bring a dish to share.

Following Jesus
Last Sunday, the theme of our service was following Jesus. In the talk I said that we all need to take steps forward in following Jesus day by day, and this involves both 'believing' (trusting) and 'belonging'. I hope we will all continue to think and pray about what this means to us in our own Christian discipleship.

As we think about what it means to be one of Jesus' disciples, we might like to ponder the poem below.

The Call of the Disciples
He calls us all to step aboard his ship,
Take the adventure on this morning's wing,
Raise sail with him, launch out into the deep,
Whatever storms or floods are threatening.
If faith gives way to doubt, or love to fear,
Then as on Galilee, we'll rouse the Lord,
For he is always with us and will hear,
And make our peace with his creative Word,
Who made us, loved us, formed us and has set
All is beloved lovers in an ark;
Borne upwards by his Spirit, we will float
Above the rising waves, the falling dark,
As fellow pilgrims, driven towards that haven,
Where all will be redeemed, fulfilled, forgiven.

(Malcolm Guite)

With love in Christ,
Helen