Wednesday 13 September 2023

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I want to say a big thank you to all those who worked SO hard in preparing for and running the Autumn Sale last Saturday. It was a good community event with many visitors. We raised over 3,500 CHF. Thank you!

The Confirmation Service last Sunday was a wonderful event with a packed church. Please continue to pray for Laeticia, Delali, Joana, Manu, and Zornitsa who were confirmed and Helene who was received into the Church of England, that they will continue faithfully in the way of Christ.

It was a joy to welcome Bishop Robert, his wife Helen, and Archdeacon Peter. Bishop Robert's sermon was both an encouragement and a challenge to us all. If you were not able to make the service you can listen to his sermon (the text is also available,

Bishop Robert sent a message afterwards saying how much he enjoyed meeting you all, and how encouraged he was by all that is going on at St Ursula's. He also passed on his thanks to those who organised the lunch and other aspects of the visit.

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.

Online Bible Study
Our next meeting will be next Tuesday, 19th September, 7.00 - 8.15pm, by Zoom. Everyone is welcome to join us.

Exhibition of Brian Morgan's Pictures
I attach a flyer with information about an exhibition of Brian Morgan's artwork. The exhibition is open on the coming Fridays: 15th, 22nd September, 18:00 - 21:00. For more details please look at the flyer.

Tomorrow, Thursday 14th September, is Holy Cross Day. The cross is right at the centre of our faith. The cross reveals to us both the depths of humanity's sin and the depths of God's grace and forgiveness. Let us remember that we are all at the same level as we kneel before the cross, and wonder at all that God has done for us in Christ.

As we reflect on the cross, we may find the poem below helpful.

Crucifixion

See, as they strip the robe from off his back
And spread his arms and nail them to the cross,
The dark nails pierce him and the sky turns black,
And love is firmly fastened on to loss.
But here a pure change happens. On this tree
Loss becomes gain, death opens into birth.
Here wounding heals and fastening makes free,
Earth breathes in heaven, heaven roots in earth.
And here we see the length, the breadth, the height,
Where love and hatred meet and love stays true,
Where sin meets grace and darkness turns to light,
We see what love can bear and be and do.
And here our Saviour calls us to his side,
His love is free, his arms are open wide.
Malcolm Guite

With love in Christ,
Helen