November 2024 - News - lists.teaparty.net

St Philip's Church Newsletter 29.11.24
by Ruth Barry 29 Nov '24

29 Nov '24

*We would really love to keep in touch! * *Please reply to this email if you’d like to still hear from us at St P’s but haven’t been able to sign up to the new list yet.* Dear all, This Sunday marks the start of Advent, in a beautiful neatness, Advent actually begins on December 1st and runs to December 25th (it is not always the way!) I wonder how you will mark the passing of these 24 days of preparation? Will you be making lists? The food to buy and prepare list, the presents to buy list, the cards to write and send list, the still to do list… We are a great list making family so our lists have already begun! It is interesting to me that the gospel of Matthew – the book that tells us all about Jesus’ life and teaching, his death and resurrection begins with a list. A list of Jesus’ ancestors. It doesn’t normally form part of the nativity plays telling us about Jesus’ birth – we mostly focus on the angelic visitations, shepherds, wise men, Mary and Joseph - but of course this moment in history does not stand in isolation. God has actually been preparing for it long before Mary said “yes” to the angel Gabriel. The list of Jesus’ ancestors in Matthew connects and integrates this monumental moment in history with all that God had been doing in and through the people of God from Abraham onwards. God had been preparing the ground from the moment he called Abram and Sarai to trust him. There is a beautiful Advent tradition called the Jesse Tree based on the verse in Isaiah 11:1: *“A shoot shall come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.”* A Jesse Tree helps to explore and celebrate the long history of God’s preparation. Every day of Advent a new ornament is added to a branch or tree, each one representing an individual from Jesus’ ancestry. It is accompanied by a relevant bible reading and over 24 days builds up a visual representation of Jesus’ family tree and God’s faithfulness throughout history and the promise of salvation. As you prepare this Advent and write your lists for Christmas you might like to take a look at the list in the book of Matthew and rather than skim over the names (as we’ve all done at some point!) read each one and imagine the person behind the name, their lifestyle, their families. They form part of our heritage too and each one was a significant individual in the whole story of God. *News and Upcoming Events* *Mill Road bridge bus gateway. *For more information as to the impact of this work and the bus gateway visit: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/work-to-begin-on-mill-road-bridge-bu… *Sunday 1st December – putting up Christmas Decorations *Next Sunday after the service we will be decorating the church ready for Mill Road Winter Fair and Christmas. Please consider grabbing a cup of tea and staying for an extra half hour or so after the service to help decorate together. The more the merrier – many hands make light work – etc. *Monday 2nd December – 11.30am - Funeral Service for Doreen Jackson at St Philip’s Church* *Friday 6th December – 10.30am – Funeral Service for Margaret Squires at St Philip’s Church* *Saturday 7th December – Mill Road Winter Fair *We will once more be a fabulous choir venue with even more choirs than last year signed up to perform. If you can help host on the day there will be a sign-up sheet at church over the next few weeks. We will also be singing carols outside Co-op at 3.45pm in conjunction with St Martin’s church – come and join in to swell the song and spread the joy! *Wednesday 11th December – 6.30pm – Carols at the Abbey *Cambridge United are once more hosting a carol service at the stadium. More information is available here: https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/date-set-carols-cledara-abbey-stadium including how to purchase tickets (all proceeds to the Cambridge United Foundation). *Christmas Services:* Mon 16th December - 6pm Blue Christmas - *A service for those who find it hard to celebrate this time of year* Sun 22nd December - 6pm Carol Service – *A service of traditional carols and readings* Tues 24th December - 4pm Crib Service - *A dress up and join in nativity service* 11.30pm - Midnight Communion - *A quiet and reflective service to welcome in Christmas Day* Wed 25th December - 10.30am Christmas Day Communion - *An All Age celebration of the birth of Jesus* *Warm Spaces will also be open on Christmas Day (Wednesday 25th - 2.30-4pm) please let Ruth know if you would like to drop in so we can make sure there are enough festive treats for everyone!* *Opportunities* Are you baking a Christmas Cake this year? Would you be willing to make an extra one?! It would be wonderful to have a home made Christmas Cake to share at our Christmas Day Warm Spaces, if you are willing and able to help I know a lot of people who will be coming on that day who would feel very touched to have had a home made cake made for them. *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * Did you know that *every year in the UK we throw away enough wrapping paper to circle the globe nine times! *Why not try adding a little personal flair to your gifts this year and re-use an old magazine, comic book or newspaper to wrap up your presents. It’s recyclable, it saves money and you can personalise it for the gift receiver! *Last Week’s sermon* Last week’s sermon: sermon24.11.24.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-11-24%20-%20Colin%20-%20c.mp3> If you missed any previous sermons, or would like a second listen you can find them here: The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/> *Prayers * If any of you have specific prayers you would like us to include in this newsletter do please get in touch. *Gilberty Chamunorwa – *please pray for Jojo, Petina, Ceasar and Albert’s dad - he is in hospital with a kidney infection. Please pray for his healing and for peace for the whole family as they worry about him. *Doreen Jackson – *As you will have read above, Doreen’s funeral will take place at 11.30am on Monday 2nd December at St Philip’s Church. Please pray for Doreen’s family as they plan for the service and that they would know God’s love and peace in their sadness. *Garry Holland* – Please pray for Garry who has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. We hold him and Pam, and all the family, up to God and ask that they know they are loved and held by both God and their community. *Please pray for our Mission Partner this month:* *The Leprosy Mission* – Leprosy can affect anyone. But the biggest impact is on people living in poverty or marginalised from society. These are the people The Leprosy Mission support. Everything they do is focused on their mission to break the chains of leprosy and empower people to attain healing, dignity and life in all its fullness. They have three main goals: to end the transmission of leprosy. To reduce the likelihood of people with leprosy being disabled after diagnosis. To partner with human rights organisations and people affected by leprosy to end the stigma associated with the disease. *Services this week 1st-7th Dec* *Sunday: Advent 1* *8.30am – Reflective Holy Communion* *10.30am – All Age Worship – *this Sunday our Ordinand Edward will be exploring “the good promise” from Jeremiah 33:14-16 If you can't attend church in person you can always use this Zoom link: meeting ID: 976 3739 9129 and Passcode: 330714 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/97637399129?pwd=TGhKWWxOcWF1S242aVhrWDlJdUkxZz09 *Wednesday:* *12noon - Reflective Holy Communion *A quiet time to help find space and peace in the middle of the week. *Regular Weekly Prayers to join:* *Monday & Friday 8.30pm – Compline on zoom * Meeting ID: 836 5965 9953 Passcode: 749968 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83659659953?pwd=btP5AjGMu1s-dE_2W9T0MMFqnnPKSS.1 *Wednesdays 7.00-7.30pm - Weekly Prayers on zoom*: - (Monthly in person – next in person prayer *18th December*) Meeting ID: 852 1105 2733 Password: 397987 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85211052733?pwd=OE52bm9NS1RtQVQ0ZytTc0xBZnVsUT09 *Regular Weekly small groups:* *Thursdays 7.30pm – Bible study group at church* *Saturdays 8.15am - Morning Bible Discussion and Prayer on zoom*: Meeting ID: 143 338 655 Password: 824271 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/143338655?pwd=L1JJTFZJNU9EaFZjaUFjQzVlalpMZz09 With love and prayers Ruth Need to unsubscribe? Email Bekki: bekki(a)theclarks.biz Blessings Ruth *Revd Ruth Barry* *Vicar, St Philip's Church, Cambridge* 185 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3AN 01223 318315 vicar(a)stphilipschurch.org.uk *My day off is Tuesday*

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St Philip's Church newsletter 22.11.24
by Ruth Barry 22 Nov '24

22 Nov '24

Dear all, *Switch to a new e-mail newsletter format **– last chance to be switched over to the new email format. You will need to be in touch if you haven’t already otherwise you will cease to receive these email newsletters from December.* Advent is nearly upon us and that makes this Sunday - Stir Up Sunday! Those of you brought up with the tradition of making Christmas puddings this 5th week before Christmas will have perhaps heard of it. It was the day when families would make the pud, stir in all the ingredients, sometimes with everyone in the household having a stir, and then wrap it up and let it “age” before enjoying it on Christmas Day. However, that tradition grew out of the even older words of the Book of Common Prayer which has, as the collect for this Sunday before Advent begins: *Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.* We still have this wonderful prayer after communion this week. (Although interestingly we lose the beseeching as it is translated into modern language, you’ll have to try and spot it on Sunday and perhaps do the beseeching with tone of voice rather than the spoken word!) I love the thought of being stirred up at this point in the year – as we look toward Advent and the preparations for Christmas. Sometimes we can forget that this season is about preparing ourselves as much as it is preparing for the hospitality and the generosity of the season. But this prayer isn’t about preparing ourselves in a penitential way it is about being excited, inspired, moved – stirred, to act for God. To grow fruit of God’s kingdom, to work and act in ways that bless others and glorify God – it is a wonderfully outward looking prayer. Perhaps we might translate it thus: *“Dear God help us be alive for you! Move us from apathy so that we may make a difference in this world. That we may make your difference in this world. And in doing so, may we find blessing. Amen”* I pray that you might feel the stirring of the Spirit this Sunday and that we may as a whole church be fruitful this Advent. *News and Upcoming Events* *Work on the Mill Road bridge bus gateway – has begun. *For more information as to the impact of this work and the bus gateway visit: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/work-to-begin-on-mill-road-bridge-bu… *Sunday 1st December – putting up Christmas Decorations *Next Sunday after the service we will be decorating the church ready for Mill Road Winter Fair and Christmas. Please consider grabbing a cup of tea and staying for an extra half hour or so after the service to help decorate together. The more the merrier – many hands make light work – and all the rest! *Monday 2nd December – 11.30am - Funeral Service for Doreen Jackson at St Philip’s Church* *Friday 6th December – 10.30am – Funeral Service for Margaret Squires at St Philip’s Church* *Saturday 7th December – Mill Road Winter Fair *We will once more be a fabulous choir venue with even more choirs than last year signed up to perform. If you can help host on the day there will be a sign-up sheet at church over the next few weeks. We will also be singing carols outside Co-op at 3.45pm in conjunction with St Martin’s church – come and join in to swell the song and spread the joy! *Wednesday 11th December – 6.30pm – Carols at the Abbey *Cambridge United are once more hosting a carol service at the stadium. More information is available here: https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/date-set-carols-cledara-abbey-stadium including how to purchase tickets (all proceeds to the Cambridge United Foundation). *Christmas Services:* Mon 16th December - 6pm Blue Christmas - *A service for those who find it hard to celebrate this time of year* Sun 22nd December - 6pm Carol Service – *A service of traditional carols and readings* Tues 24th December - 4pm Crib Service - *A dress up and join in nativity service* 11.30pm - Midnight Communion - *A quiet and reflective service to welcome in Christmas Day* Wed 25th December - 10.30am Christmas Day Communion - *An All Age celebration of the birth of Jesus* *Warm Spaces will also be open on Christmas Day (Wednesday 25th - 2.30-4pm) please let Ruth know if you would like to drop in so we can make sure there are enough festive treats for everyone!* *Opportunities* Would you be willing to help support teachers as they bring pupils from St Philip’s School to and from the church? Staff are often looking for extra help to walk with the children and if you are about in the day time and would be able to help it would be lovely to have some more church volunteers at school. Let me know if you can help. Would you like to sign up to the CamCAN newsletter? Cambridge Christian Action Network exist to serve Christian organisations and churches in the Greater Cambridge area as they work to bring social change and improve people’s lives. If you’d like to know more please visit Home - Cambridge Christian Action Network <https://www.camcan.org.uk/> *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * Did you know that *every year in the UK we throw away enough wrapping paper to circle the globe nine times! *Why not try adding a little personal flair to your gifts this year and re-use an old magazine, comic book or newspaper to wrap up your presents. It’s recyclable, it saves money and you can personalise it for the gift receiver! *Last Week’s sermon* Last week’s sermon: sermon 17.11.24.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-11-17%20-%20Ruth%20-%20c.mp3> If you missed any previous sermons, or would like a second listen you can find them here: The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/> *Prayers * If any of you have specific prayers you would like us to include in this newsletter do please get in touch. *Gilberty Chamunorwa – *please pray for Jojo, Petina, Ceasar and Albert’s dad - he is in hospital with a kidney infection. Please pray for his healing and for peace for the whole family as they worry about him. *Doreen Jackson – *As you will have read above, Doreen’s funeral will take place at 11.30am on Monday 2nd December at St Philip’s Church. Please pray for Doreen’s family as they plan for the service and that they would know God’s love and peace in their sadness. *Garry Holland* – Please pray for Garry who has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. We hold him and Pam, and all the family, up to God and ask that they know they are loved and held by both God and their community. *Please pray for our Mission Partner this month:* *The Leprosy Mission* – Leprosy can affect anyone. But the biggest impact is on people living in poverty or marginalised from society. These are the people The Leprosy Mission support. Everything they do is focused on their mission to break the chains of leprosy and empower people to attain healing, dignity and life in all its fullness. They have three main goals: to end the transmission of leprosy. To reduce the likelihood of people with leprosy being disabled after diagnosis. To partner with human rights organisations and people affected by leprosy to end the stigma associated with the disease. *Services this week 24th -30th Nov* *Sunday: Christ the King Sunday (last before Advent)* *10.30am – Holy Communion with Explorers – *In our service this week we will be exploring Christ the King through the readings from Revelation 1:4b-8 and John 18:33-37. If you can't attend church in person you can always use this Zoom link: meeting ID: 976 3739 9129 and Passcode: 330714 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/97637399129?pwd=TGhKWWxOcWF1S242aVhrWDlJdUkxZz09 *Wednesday:* *12noon - Reflective Holy Communion *A quiet time to help find space and peace in the middle of the week. *Regular Weekly Prayers to join:* *Monday & Friday 8.30pm – Compline on zoom * Meeting ID: 836 5965 9953 Passcode: 749968 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83659659953?pwd=btP5AjGMu1s-dE_2W9T0MMFqnnPKSS.1 *Wednesdays 7.00-7.30pm - Weekly Prayers on zoom*: - (Monthly in person – next in person prayer *18th December*) Meeting ID: 852 1105 2733 Password: 397987 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85211052733?pwd=OE52bm9NS1RtQVQ0ZytTc0xBZnVsUT09 *Regular Weekly small groups:* *Thursdays 7.30pm – Bible study group at church* *Saturdays 8.15am - Morning Bible Discussion and Prayer on zoom*: Meeting ID: 143 338 655 Password: 824271 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/143338655?pwd=L1JJTFZJNU9EaFZjaUFjQzVlalpMZz09 With love and prayers Ruth Need to unsubscribe? Email Bekki: bekki(a)theclarks.biz Blessings Ruth *Revd Ruth Barry* *Vicar, St Philip's Church, Cambridge* 185 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3AN 01223 318315 vicar(a)stphilipschurch.org.uk *My day off is Tuesday*

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St Philip's Church Newsletter 15.11.24
by Ruth Barry 15 Nov '24

15 Nov '24

Dear all, *Switch to a new e-mail newsletter format **– if you would like to continue receiving the newsletter – we will need you to fill out a simple paper form giving us your email address and permission to send the newsletter to you. If you are unable to come to church in the next two weeks, for whatever reason, but you would still like to receive the newsletter please get in touch with me and we will see how we can help.* How have you been feeling this week after the publication of the Makin report and the subsequent resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of not only the Church of England but the entire global Anglican communion? This is not just another national politician or company CEO stepping down – this is a huge statement that we are serious about changing the culture of our church and that Safeguarding everyone is not something we pay lip service to, whilst protecting the powerful. It has not been comfortable reading or listening, and there is more pain to come, but it is necessary if we are serious about proclaiming a God of love. There is no way we deserve to have anyone listen to our message about our faith if we don’t do this painful work of uncovering all that is hidden, confessing, and humbly beginning again to build trust. We need to let those who have been silenced – speak, and we need to honour them enough to listen. It is not easy or comfortable but it is right, and it leads us to cry out for justice. *“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.”* Proverbs 31:8 (New Living Translation) Our understanding of the word justice can often be confused with law and order but from a biblical perspective justice is the fulfilment of God’s kingdom on earth – a place of restoration and wholeness. This is the justice we, as followers of Jesus, should be championing every day in our lives – this is our great commission - to tell people about God’s way that is different from the world’s way and that it is a way of healing. But right at this moment… it is time for us to listen with humble and breaking hearts. *News and Upcoming Events* *Work on the Mill Road bridge bus gateway – has begun. *There are also road works on the Coldhams Lane roundabout by Sainsburys causing all sorts of problems at the bottom (Perne Road end) of Mill Road. Plan your route carefully if you need to drive to church on Sunday. Or if you can manage to walk or cycle I would highly recommend avoiding the car! For more information as to the impact of this work and the bus gateway visit: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/work-to-begin-on-mill-road-bridge-bu… *Wednesday 20th November – 10.30am-12noon – CDA Hearing Clinic *Cambridge Deaf Association will be at Warm Spaces again to help with hearing aids, batteries, advice. If you just need some help – come and visit them! *Wednesday 20th November – 7.30pm – St Philip’s Church (Café area)* Our next in person *Prayer Meeting *do come and join us as we pray both together and individually for the Wider Church. *Monday 2nd December – 11.30am - Funeral Service for Doreen Jackson at St Philip’s Church* *Saturday 7th December – Mill Road Winter Fair *We will once more be a fabulous choir venue with even more choirs than last year signed up to perform. If you can help host on the day there will be a sign-up sheet at church over the next few weeks. We will also be singing carols outside Co-op at 3.45pm in conjunction with St Martin’s church – come and join in to swell the song and spread the joy! *Christmas Services:* Mon 16th December - 6pm Blue Christmas - *A service for those who find it hard to celebrate this time of year* Sun 22nd December - 6pm Carol Service – *A service of traditional carols and readings* Tues 24th December - 4pm Crib Service - *A dress up and join in nativity service* 11.30pm - Midnight Communion - *A quiet and reflective service to welcome in Christmas Day* Wed 25th December - 10.30am Christmas Day Communion - *An All Age celebration of the birth of Jesus* *Warm Spaces will also be open as usual on Christmas Day (Wednesday 25th) please let Ruth know if you would like to drop in so we can make sure there are enough festive treats for everyone!* *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * Would you like to join us in a community litter pick? Just gauging interest but shout if you are and hopefully we can make it happen! *Last Week’s sermon* Last week’s sermon: sermon 10.11.24.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-11-10%20-%20Ruth%20-%20c.mp3> If you missed any previous sermons, or would like a second listen you can find them here: The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/> *Prayers * If any of you have specific prayers you would like us to include in this newsletter do please get in touch. *Doreen Jackson – *As you will have read above, Doreen’s funeral will take place at 11.30am on Monday 2nd December at St Philip’s Church. Please pray for Doreen’s family as they plan for the service and that they would know God’s love and peace in their sadness. *Garry Holland* – Please pray for Garry who has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. We hold him and Pam, and all the family, up to God and ask that they know they are loved and held by both God and their community. *Please pray for our Mission Partner this month:* *The Leprosy Mission* – Leprosy can affect anyone. But the biggest impact is on people living in poverty or marginalised from society. These are the people The Leprosy Mission support. Everything they do is focused on their mission to break the chains of leprosy and empower people to attain healing, dignity and life in all its fullness. They have three main goals: to end the transmission of leprosy. To reduce the likelihood of people with leprosy being disabled after diagnosis. To partner with human rights organisations and people affected by leprosy to end the stigma associated with the disease. *Services this week 17th-23rd Nov* *Sunday: Safeguarding Sunday *(we will be talking about the importance of Safeguarding as the understanding of keeping safe. But please be assured, if you are at all worried, there will be no discussions of distressing topics during the service) *8.30am – Reflective Holy Communion* - our readings will be Daniel 12:1-3 and Mark 13:1-8 *10.30am – All Age Worship – *In our All Age service we will be exploring what we admire and put our trust in, based around Mark 13:1-8 If you can't attend church in person you can always use this Zoom link: meeting ID: 976 3739 9129 and Passcode: 330714 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/97637399129?pwd=TGhKWWxOcWF1S242aVhrWDlJdUkxZz09 *Wednesday:* *12noon - Reflective Holy Communion *A quiet time to help find space and peace in the middle of the week. *Regular Weekly Prayers to join:* *Monday & Friday 8.30pm – Compline on zoom * Meeting ID: 836 5965 9953 Passcode: 749968 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83659659953?pwd=btP5AjGMu1s-dE_2W9T0MMFqnnPKSS.1 *Wednesdays 7.00-7.30pm - Weekly Prayers on zoom*: - (Monthly in person – next in person prayer *20th November*) Meeting ID: 852 1105 2733 Password: 397987 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85211052733?pwd=OE52bm9NS1RtQVQ0ZytTc0xBZnVsUT09 *Regular Weekly small groups:* *Thursdays 7.30pm – Bible study group at church* *Saturdays 8.15am - Morning Bible Discussion and Prayer on zoom*: Meeting ID: 143 338 655 Password: 824271 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/143338655?pwd=L1JJTFZJNU9EaFZjaUFjQzVlalpMZz09 With love and prayers Ruth Need to unsubscribe? Email Bekki: bekki(a)theclarks.biz Blessings Ruth *Revd Ruth Barry* *Vicar, St Philip's Church, Cambridge* 185 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3AN 01223 318315 vicar(a)stphilipschurch.org.uk *My day off is Tuesday*

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St Philip's Newsletter 8.11.24
by Ruth Barry 08 Nov '24

08 Nov '24

Dear all, *Switch to a new e-mail newsletter format **– if you would like to continue receiving the newsletter – we will need you to fill out a simple paper form giving us your email address and permission to send the newsletter to you. If you are unable to come to church in the next two weeks, for whatever reason, but you would still like to receive the newsletter please get in touch with me and we will see how we can help.* Today I've spent the day at a conference celebrating 30 years since the first women were ordained priests in the Church of England. My first reaction to the conference was one of joy, “hurrah, yes, let’s celebrate this!” But it was swiftly followed by “wait, only 30 years – that really is shocking!” (After all, it's only been 10 years since women were first ordained bishops - and in Church of England theology there is actually no spiritual difference between a priest and a bishop…) What was interesting for me today was hearing the stories of inequality and casual sexism that women experienced and are still experiencing as they live out their vocations. Yes, we may have women priests and bishops in the Church of England but this “equality” is in fact far from equal with all sorts of provisions and barriers in place around women’s ministry. And this level of equality between men and women is far from true in all parts of the Anglican Communion let alone God’s Church as a whole. I came away from today firstly feeling privileged to be in such a supportive local church community, where I have never once felt my vocation to serve as a priest in God’s Church called in to question or not recognised and where my voice is heard and respected. But secondly, I came away from today acutely aware of all the other voices which are silent or silenced in God’s Church as a whole. And this is not right. We believe that humanity was created in God’s image – my understanding of that is that *all* people are made in God’s image and contain the beautiful blue print of the divine in their very being. And if we believe this to be true then we need to treat *all* people with the honour, respect and love due to God. Their voices need to be heard and so often they are not. Sexism, racism, ageism, ableism… those are just the ways of treating others as less than equal which end in “ism”! There are so many other ways we as human beings do not treat *all* with the honour, respect and love due to God. The prophet Micah tells us clearly: *“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? * *To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8* Perhaps we need to take up the call for justice a little more boldly – be a little more honest about our own complicity in any “isms” (both as individuals and as a church). And those of us who have the privilege of having a voice – use it to speak up for those with none. But even more positively, we need to be more active in seeking to provide spaces and opportunities to hear those voices speak for themselves. *News and Upcoming Events* *Saturday 9th November – 3pm – Ely Cathedral - Eucharist in Celebration of 30 Years of Women’s Priestly Ministry* *Monday 11th November – work to commence on the Mill Road bridge bus gateway *for more information as to the impact of this work and the bus gateway visit: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/work-to-begin-on-mill-road-bridge-bu… *Wednesday 20th November – 10.30am-12noon – CDA Hearing Clinic *Cambridge Deaf Association will be at Warm Spaces again to help with hearing aids, batteries, advice. If you just need some help – come and visit them! *Wednesday 20th November – 7.30pm – St Philip’s Church (Café area)* Our next in person *Prayer Meeting *do come and join us as we pray both together and individually for the Wider Church. *Sunday 17th November – 6.30pm – Ely Cathedral - Saying Goodbye, Baby loss remembrance service *Saying Goodbye, (part of the Mariposa Trust) are returning to Ely in November with a very special Baby loss remembrance and support service for anyone who has either personally lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy, at birth, or in early years, or who has been affected by family members' or friends' loss. Whether the loss was recent or 80 years ago, everyone is welcome to attend. The services also gladly welcome anyone who is grieving the fact that they haven't had children. This may be due to circumstance, infertility, or for other reasons - but all are welcome. Babies and children are also invited to come with their families, as the Saying Goodbye service is truly a family event for all. www.sayinggoodbye.org ***Saturday 7th December – Mill Road Winter Fair *We will once more be a fabulous choir venue with even more choirs than last year signed up to perform. If you can help host on the day there will be a sign-up sheet at church over the next few weeks. We will also be singing carols outside Co-op at 3.45pm in conjunction with St Martin’s church – come and join in to swell the song and spread the joy! *Consent for reflective work undertaken by Ordinands* Many of you will have met our new Ordinand by now, Edward will be required to reflect on his experiences at St Philip’s as part of his academic work. The work will be marked and seen only by examiners. All names and identifying details will be changed. If you have concerns about this or would rather that he didn't reflect on any encounter with you, please tell Edward directly and/or speak to me. *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * Would you like to join us in a community litter pick? Just gauging interest but shout if you are and hopefully we can make it happen! *Last Week’s sermon* Last week’s sermon: sermon 3.11.24.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-11-03%20-%20Elizabeth%20-%20c.mp3> If you missed any previous sermons, or would like a second listen you can find them here: The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/> *Prayers * If any of you have specific prayers you would like us to include in this newsletter do please get in touch. *Doreen Jackson – *Very sadly I have to pass on the news that Doreen died this week. She had been in hospital for a short time and died peacefully in her sleep. I will pass on more news and information about her funeral as I hear. Please pray for Doreen’s family that they would know God’s love and peace in their sadness. *Garry Holland* – Please pray for Garry who has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. We hold him and Pam, and all the family, up to God and ask that they know they are loved and held by both God and their community. *Please pray for our Mission Partner this month:* *The Leprosy Mission* – Leprosy can affect anyone. But the biggest impact is on people living in poverty or marginalised from society. These are the people The Leprosy Mission support. Everything they do is focused on their mission to break the chains of leprosy and empower people to attain healing, dignity and life in all its fullness. They have three main goals: to end the transmission of leprosy. To reduce the likelihood of people with leprosy being disabled after diagnosis. To partner with human rights organisations and people affected by leprosy to end the stigma associated with the disease. *Services this week 10th-16th Nov* *Sunday: Remembrance Sunday* *10.30am – Holy Communion with Explorers – *this Sunday we will be marking Remembrance Sunday and our readings will be Psalm 62:5-end and Mark 1:14-20 If you can't attend church in person you can always use this Zoom link: meeting ID: 976 3739 9129 and Passcode: 330714 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/97637399129?pwd=TGhKWWxOcWF1S242aVhrWDlJdUkxZz09 *Wednesday:* *12noon - Reflective Holy Communion *A quiet time to help find space and peace in the middle of the week. *Regular Weekly Prayers to join:* *Monday & Friday 8.30pm – Compline on zoom * Meeting ID: 836 5965 9953 Passcode: 749968 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83659659953?pwd=btP5AjGMu1s-dE_2W9T0MMFqnnPKSS.1 *Wednesdays 7.00-7.30pm - Weekly Prayers on zoom*: - (Monthly in person – next in person prayer *20th November*) Meeting ID: 852 1105 2733 Password: 397987 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85211052733?pwd=OE52bm9NS1RtQVQ0ZytTc0xBZnVsUT09 *Regular Weekly small groups:* *Thursdays 7.30pm – Bible study group at church* *Saturdays 8.15am - Morning Bible Discussion and Prayer on zoom*: Meeting ID: 143 338 655 Password: 824271 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/143338655?pwd=L1JJTFZJNU9EaFZjaUFjQzVlalpMZz09 With love and prayers Ruth Need to unsubscribe? Email Bekki: bekki(a)theclarks.biz Blessings Ruth *Revd Ruth Barry* *Vicar, St Philip's Church, Cambridge* 185 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3AN 01223 318315 vicar(a)stphilipschurch.org.uk *My day off is Tuesday*

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St Philip's Church Newsletter 1.11.24
by Ruth Barry 01 Nov '24

01 Nov '24

Dear all, *Switch to a new e-mail newsletter format **We will be making the move to a new system for sending out the newsletter each week and as part of the process – if you would like to continue receiving the newsletter – we will need you to fill out a simple paper form giving us your email address and permission to send the newsletter to you. We will have copies of this form at church on Sunday for the next few Sundays and I will have copies of the form at Warm Spaces through the week. If you are unable to come to church over the next month, for whatever reason, but you would still like to receive the newsletter please get in touch with me and we will see how we can help.* Happy All Saints Day everyone. The one festival that the church celebrates where the preparations the evening before have managed to become more well known (and taken over by society in general) than the festival itself! I wonder how you feel about Halloween and the event that it has become? I have long struggled to work out the best way to position myself as a Christian in response to such a celebration. I’ve been through the “denounce it and preach Christ over it”, “the turn off all the lights and hide from it”, the “ignore it and let my kids be a part of events but not really promote it”… all ways we’ve attempted as a church to set ourselves apart and to signify that we don’t agree with the glorifying of darkness, fear and (in some cases) evil. But then I was a curate with an American Vicar. And America does Halloween very differently from the UK – although I think we are heading their way gradually. In America it is a community event with an excuse for special food and fancy dress – not necessarily scary fancy dress – often celebrating heroes of both history and fiction. And I realised that there is a way to engage without letting go of the light. So, for a few years we were the house with the fire pit out front and the marshmallows to toast around it. We had pumpkins carved with hearts or a cross (incidentally pumpkin carving is actually a brilliant way of taking about baptism it turns out. God taking all the yukky gunk out of inside us and instead putting a light inside us to shine out through us…) And those evenings gathered around the fire, built community where previously there was no community and no connection between neighbours. It meant that we were actually present with people talking about our own beliefs not in a “telling people they are wrong” way – but a “this is how we do things slightly differently” kind of way. Because that is what we are called to be – different, other, set apart by (or for) God. This is the way the early church talked about each other – they called each other “holy” and through the latin translation of this word “sanctus” we get to “saint”. But set apart, not to live separately, but to model a different way within the world and if we are to model a different way we need to actually have a relationship with others in order that they see we are different. We still need to be *in* the world and a *part of* the world. The sadness is that we let a wonderful festival slip away; a day when we can celebrate all those who have gone before but also all those who are living in the Way of God. We are all saints. So today I celebrate *you* – all that you have taught me about God and about faith. Thank you for the way you have blessed me. Now let’s go show the world that there is another Way! *“To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:7* *News and Upcoming Events* *Consent for reflective work undertaken by Ordinands* Many of you will have met our new Ordinand by now, Edward will be required to reflect on his experiences at St Philip’s as part of his academic work. The work will be marked and seen only by examiners. All names and identifying details will be changed. If you have concerns about this or would rather that he didn't reflect on any encounter with you, please tell Edward directly and/or speak to me. *Sunday 17th November – 6.30pm – Ely Cathedral - Saying Goodbye, Baby loss remembrance service *Saying Goodbye, (part of the Mariposa Trust) are returning to Ely in November with a very special Baby loss remembrance and support service for anyone who has either personally lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy, at birth, or in early years, or who has been affected by family members' or friends' loss. Whether the loss was recent or 80 years ago, everyone is welcome to attend. The services also gladly welcome anyone who is grieving the fact that they haven't had children. This may be due to circumstance, infertility, or for other reasons - but all are welcome. Babies and children are also invited to come with their families, as the Saying Goodbye service is truly a family event for all. www.sayinggoodbye.org *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * If you have partaken of the pumpkin carving this week why not commit to eating that pumpkin before it rots and is wasted! You can even roast all those seeds you scooped out – they make a delicious snack. *Last Week’s sermon* Last week’s sermon: sorry no recording this week If you missed any previous sermons, or would like a second listen you can find them here: The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/> *Prayers * If any of you have specific prayers you would like us to include in this newsletter do please get in touch. *Jenny Eustace - *Jenny is back home but still needing a lot of care and help, please pray for her healing and peace. *Please pray for our Mission Partner this month:* *The Leprosy Mission* – Leprosy can affect anyone. But the biggest impact is on people living in poverty or marginalised from society. These are the people The Leprosy Mission support. Everything they do is focused on their mission to break the chains of leprosy and empower people to attain healing, dignity and life in all its fullness. They have three main goals: to end the transmission of leprosy. To reduce the likelihood of people with leprosy being disabled after diagnosis. To partner with human rights organisations and people affected by leprosy to end the stigma associated with the disease. *Services this week 3rd – 9th Nov* *Sunday: * *8.30am – Reflective Holy Communion – *our readings will be Isaiah 25:6-9 and John 11:32-44 *10.30am – All Age Worship – *this week our visiting Curate Elizabeth will be celebrating All the Saints with us focussing on the reading from Colossians 1:9-14 If you can't attend church in person you can always use this Zoom link: meeting ID: 976 3739 9129 and Passcode: 330714 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/97637399129?pwd=TGhKWWxOcWF1S242aVhrWDlJdUkxZz09 *Wednesday:* *12noon - Reflective Holy Communion *A quiet time to help find space and peace in the middle of the week. *Regular Weekly Prayers to join:* *Monday & Friday 8.30pm – Compline on zoom * Meeting ID: 836 5965 9953 Passcode: 749968 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83659659953?pwd=btP5AjGMu1s-dE_2W9T0MMFqnnPKSS.1 *Wednesdays 7.00-7.30pm - Weekly Prayers on zoom*: - (Monthly in person – next in person prayer *20th November*) Meeting ID: 852 1105 2733 Password: 397987 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85211052733?pwd=OE52bm9NS1RtQVQ0ZytTc0xBZnVsUT09 *Regular Weekly small groups:* *Thursdays 7.30pm – Bible study group at church* *Saturdays 8.15am - Morning Bible Discussion and Prayer on zoom*: Meeting ID: 143 338 655 Password: 824271 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/143338655?pwd=L1JJTFZJNU9EaFZjaUFjQzVlalpMZz09 With love and prayers Ruth Need to unsubscribe? Email Bekki: bekki(a)theclarks.biz Blessings Ruth *Revd Ruth Barry* *Vicar, St Philip's Church, Cambridge* 185 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3AN 01223 318315 vicar(a)stphilipschurch.org.uk *My day off is Tuesday*

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