Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As we continue in this period between Ascension and Pentecost, please do make use of some of the resources of Thy Kingdom Come prayer initiative (see below). I hope we will see as many of you as possible at our special Pentecost service and celebratory meal on Sunday.
Thy Kingdom Come
Thy Kingdom Come is a global ecumenical prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension Day to Pentecost for friends, relatives, and neighbours to come to know Christ. It started in 2016, and this year more than 85 different denominations are taking part. Below are several different resources to help us pray during this time. The theme for this year is ‘God with us’.
Thy Kingdom Come 2026 Trailer: this clip introduces this movement and the theme this year.
TKC Novena 2026 DIGITAL_0.pdf : A prayer journal for this period of time with reflections for each day. This year it is written by Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury.
DigitalDetox26_A5_DIGITAL.pdf: A resource booklet especially designed for teenagers to make time to think, reflect and pray.
TKC_KidsPrayerAdventure_DIGITAL (2).pdf: Activities for children and their families for each day.
Gardening Morning
Please do join us THIS Saturday, 23rd May to do some tidying up of the church garden: raking, sweeping, weeding. You don’t need to be a gardening expert (we will have experts on hand!) but simply be willing to join in. These mornings are usually great fun. We welcome people of all ages and it is always a joy to have families and children with us.
We meet at 9.30am. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Pentecost Special Eucharist and International Lunch
We celebrate Pentecost THIS Sunday, 24th May. The service will be followed by our international lunch, when we invite everyone to bring something (savoury or sweet) from their own region, country, culture. We will decorate the hall with flags from many nations. If you have a national or regional dress you can wear, please do as this also adds to the colour of the occasion. This is a very special occasion in the church year, so please don’t miss it!
NB If you can’t bring any food, please do still join us, there is always plenty.
Eco Group Survey
Thanks to those of you who have completed the survey from the Eco Group. The group would like to know your thoughts about their activities and newsletters and what you would appreciate from them in the future. If you have not yet done so, please complete the survey which you can find here: EcoChurch Survey Spring 2026
It only takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Many thanks.
Prayer
As we hopefully make more time to pray during this period, praying for five people who do not know Christ, let us also pray for ourselves and for our church. We pray especially for the Holy Spirit to be at work within us and among us. You may find the following prayers helpful.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people
and kindle in us the fire of your love.
All who are led by the Spirit of God
are children of God and fellow-heirs with Christ.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people.
Renew the face of your creation, Lord
pouring on us the gifts of your Sirit,
and kindle in us the fire of your love.
For the creation waits with eager longing
for the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people
and kindle in us the fire of your love.
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,
ignite in us your holy fire;
strengthen your children with the gift of faith,
revive your Church with the breath of love,
and renew the face of the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
With love in Christ,
Helen