Monday 26 August 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I want to say a very BIG THANK YOU to all those who worked so hard preparing and running our Children's Activity Day on Saturday. It was a really fun day and some of the children also came to church on Sunday to share what they had learned with the congregation. We will hope to share more information and photos about the day in due course.

Creation Season
This coming Sunday, 1st September is Creation Sunday.
In recent times, the Church of England and many other churches have set aside the period between 1st September and 4th October as 'Creation Season': a time to especially give thanks to God for the wonders of creation, but also to reflect on our responsibilities as Christians to care for the world God has given us, and what that might mean today when we face the increasing threat of climate change.

At St Ursula's, we will be observing Creation Season in the following ways:

• Saturday, 31st August: Council Day Away: The Church Council will be reflecting on these issues and how we work together as a church to better care for our environment. We currently have a Bronze Eco Award, but we hope to work towards a Silver Eco Award.
• Sunday, 1st September: Creation Sunday: We will be reflecting on God our Creator, and giving thanks for all that he has made.
• Sunday, 8th September: Caring for the Environment: We will be considering further what it means to care for God's world, and how this relates to our faith.

Autumn Sale, Saturday 7th September, 10:00 - 14:00
Our next Sale is coming up soon! Our book stall, food stall, cake stall will all be open, together with delicious food in the restaurant. If you can help with baking cakes and scones, running a stall or clearing up afterwards, please let the office know.

These events are good community events. Please do come along and bring your family and friends.

Memorial Service for Annegret Kapossy
Some of you will remember Annegret who used to worship at St Ursula's some years ago. There will be a Memorial Service to give thanks for her life and pray for her family on Saturday 7th September, 3.30pm, at St Ursula's.
Everyone is welcome
As we remember Annegret Kapossy's family in our prayers, let us also pray for Hans Wenger whose mother, Vreni Alice, died recently, and Zsuzsanna Balogh who also lost her mother recently.

David's Licensing as Assistant Chaplain
On Sunday 15th September, Archdeacon Peter Hooper will formally license David as Assistant Chaplain. This will take place as a short part of our 'usual' Sunday Eucharist. (This will simply formalise with the Diocese the role David has been doing for some months; it has taken some time to sort out all the formalities).

There will be a celebratory glass of wine after the service.

As we begin Creation Season this coming Sunday, I will end with the collect for this season.

Glorious God,
the whole creation proclaims your marvellous work:
increase in us a capacity to wonder and delight in it,
that heaven's praise may echo in our hearts
and our lives be spent as good stewards of the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

With love in Christ,
Helen