April 2024 - News - lists.teaparty.net

St Philip's Church newsletter 26.4.24
by Ruth Barry 26 Apr '24

26 Apr '24

Dear all, The sun is out! But my goodness the wind is still so bitterly cold… April is one of those months that takes me by surprise every year. I am lulled by the spring flowers, lighter days and more sunshine into thinking summer is here and yet winter hasn’t quite left - it is a now and not yet season. Which is in fact so appropriate for Easter! Because, since Jesus’ resurrection we live in now and not yet times. Jesus’ resurrection has ushered in God’s kingdom, this new way of living, forgiven, free, at one with God, as God meant for us to be. This is what we celebrate on Easter Day with such joy! And yet we know that this kingdom is not quite here in full – that will happen at those end times when Jesus returns and the whole of creation will be renewed and restored – every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. For now, we live in the in between times, we see glimpses but not in full. So, how do we manage in the now and not yet? Do we just live in frustration? Well, yes, a little. Frustration shows we know what is to come and we long for it to come – “Your Kingdom come” we pray in the Lord’s prayer. Frustration at the not quite yet can be a great motivator. But we also live in hope and expectation that we will see glimpses of this perfect kingdom. We live with our eyes open to God at work, to see the Spirit on the move. To see those places where God’s kingdom, God’s way, is happening here and now on earth. Wherever we see those fruits of the Spirit growing – we see God’s kingdom established. I pray this week you may live those words “Your kingdom come” and that you may have eyes open to see “*love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control*” growing around you and within you. (Galatians 5:22-23) *News and Upcoming Events* *Saturday 27th April* *- 7.30pm – Youth for Christ Open House Commissioning* at The St Andrews Centre in Histon. This is an exciting moment as they share progress on a whole new area of work, and hear from the team who are making it happen. The event starts at 7.30pm at, with drinks reception from 7.00pm. You can book your free place (and find out more information) on their website: http://cambridgeyfc.uk/commissioning . *Sunday 28th April – after church - St Philip’s APCM *the annual meeting of the church at which we report on the activities of the church through the year, report on our finances and most importantly give thanks for our elected representatives who look after the governance of our church for us. You can find copies of the Financial Report in church this Sunday or email Lucy (lucy(a)stphilipschurch.org.uk) *Sunday 5th May - St Philip’s Day Picnic *– an opportunity to celebrate all that is St Philip’s, who we are as a church and what we do. And then after the service to picnic in the Vicarage garden together. Bring a picnic and a rug or chair – and pray for good weather! *Weeding around the church* – if anyone who can spare 1 hr for weed pulling around the church please talk to Anke to find a time. It’s really important that we keep our church looking tidy – not least because it shows the community that we are no derelict building but here and alive and active! *Mental Health First Aid Course - 1, 9, 13, 15th May - 9am-12.30pm on zoom* –MHFA England are running a course open to all who would like to become a Mental Health First Aider – to gain the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health, be confident to start a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support. There is a cost for this course and you will need to attend all sessions but if you are interested come and chat to me and I can let you have the details. *Growing as a Disciple Course* – this is an online course regularly run by Ely Diocese it is a ten session course about deepening your personal faith, and raising your awareness of how God might be calling you to contribute your abilities and time to your churches and communities. Mondays at 7pm, via Zoom - 13 & 20 May, 3, 10, 17 & 24 June, 1, 8, 15 & 22 July. For more info: julie.norris(a)elydiocese.org or book online: https://elydatabase.org/events/mission_ministry *Toilet Refurbishment* the PCC have commissioned a refurbishment of all the toilets in the church which will begin next week. They will be completed in stages so we wont lose all our facilities at once – do not worry! But please do be aware that there may be some disruption when you come into church and please bear with us while this much needed work is done. *Work on Stan’s House* – as many of you will know Stanley Downing very generously left his house to the church, we are currently discerning very carefully how we can honour his generosity and steward this amazing resource well and there are some exciting options open to us. But the first step is clearing the house and fully assessing the property. So, if you see a skip outside or tradespeople entering the property over the next few months please don’t be alarmed. *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * You can recycle your pens! No more throwing old ones in the bin to fill up landfill take them to any Rymans shop and they will recycle them for you. *Last Week’s sermon* Last week’s sermon if you want to catch up: sermon 21.4.24.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-04-21%20-%20Ruth%20-%20c.mp3> The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/> *This Sunday 28th April – Easter 5* *10.30am – Holy Communion with Explorers *(for Primary School aged children) this Sunday Mike will be talking us through Acts 8:26-end where we hear about one of the two Philips in the New Testament – more on that next week! 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 *Prayers * If any of you have specific prayers you would like us to include in this newsletter do please get in touch. *Judi Griffiths *– Judi’s operation was cancelled at the last minute this week but is re-scheduled for Wednesday 1st May. Please pray for her and Jim as they have to cope with this uncertainty and change, please pray that the operation isn’t cancelled again and that it is a success this time! *Tracee & Lee* – Tracee’s operation went well and she is recovering at home, thanks for your prayers. Please pray for her speedy recouperation and for Lee as he cares for her. *Ben Hodson* – the newly appointed Headteacher at St Philip’s School. Praise God for this answer to prayer and please pray for Ben as he prepares to join the school in September. *Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:* [image: Supported lodgings for young people in Cambridgeshire]*Romsey Mill* – A local charity creating opportunities with young people, children and families in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Many of you will be very familiar with the work of Romsey Mill – please pray for them this month with all their new initiatives. *Neil Perry (Romsey Mill CEO) will be joining us this Sunday to catch us up with all Romsey Mill’s current initiatives* *Regular Weekly events to join:* *Friday 12noon Lunchtime Bible Club *A relaxed look at the bible passage/s for the upcoming Sunday. Bring along a packed lunch and explore scripture whilst eating lunch together. *Wednesday 12noon Reflective Holy Communion* A quiet time to help find space and peace in the middle of the week. *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 *Wednesday 10.30-12noon & Friday 1.30-3.00 –* Wednesday & Friday Friends *Both are “Warm Spaces” with Tea/coffee, cake/biscuits and chat * Just turn up if you’d like to join us for a cuppa/read the paper/do some of the jigsaw/knit/colour/sit quietly watching the world go by. *Wednesdays 7.00-7.30pm - Weekly Prayers on zoom*: - Meeting ID: 852 1105 2733 Password: 397987 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85211052733?pwd=OE52bm9NS1RtQVQ0ZytTc0xBZnVsUT09 *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 19.4.24
by Ruth Barry 19 Apr '24

19 Apr '24

Dear all, Sheep – this Sunday we will be thinking a lot about sheep. Sheep are mentioned over 200 times in the bible and often in relation to God’s people, us, being compared to them. Israel’s king was often referred to as a shepherd of the people and of course (as we will talk about on Sunday) Jesus called himself the good shepherd come to gather his flock. How do you feel about being likened to a sheep? I’m never quite sure – sheep don’t get a great press – usually thought of as stupid and hopeless at looking after themselves. Is this not quite fair do you think, or is it painfully apt? I wonder? I also wonder if we have lost some of the nuances of the role of sheep and shepherds in our urban life. Go with me on this one (especially if you are a dog lover) but I wonder if cats might be a more accessible reference for us in this part of the world today. Cats are wilfully independent and clever. Affectionate and loving to their owners however they can also be distant and aloof. Cute and cuddly as well as being vicious hunters when they want to be. But regardless of the character of their pet, most cat owners would do anything for their feline family member. The pet food industry and pet accessory industries are huge! Adverts for cat food make them sound like gourmet meals and you can buy cat backpacks to take your furry ball of cuteness on walks with you – and this is not the most bizarre accessory now available. We see the fliers pinned up on lampposts when cats go missing, the neighbourhood social media groups will call everyone to search for the one that has become lost – we understand the desire to search and search – because that one individual cat is special to its owner. We get the love of cats. I wonder if thinking that God loves us like the cat lover loves their cat might be a more helpful analogy, maybe? And let’s be honest the previously mentioned characteristics of cats are strikingly similar to humans – especially in our increasingly individualistic society. It would be an interesting exercise to see how far this updated cultural reference might appeal to people. How this translation of an idea might bring to life some of the teaching Jesus was trying to do using sheep as the analogy. Why don’t you have a go rereading the parable of the lost sheep imagining a lost cat instead? If you have a go let me know how you get on! *[Jesus said] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me”* *John 10:14* *News and Upcoming Events* *Edge* will be starting again this Sunday 21st April 5.30-7pm at church. I would really love someone to come join us on the team. I lead every fortnight but I could do with an extra helper once a month – which means only 3 sessions and a summer party this term. If you feel you would be able to help please let me know. We have a lovely group of 12 young people who come regularly and they are a joy to spend an evening with so please don’t be shy about coming to join us! *Saturday 27th April* *- 7.30pm – Youth for Christ Open House Commissioning* at The St Andrews Centre in Histon. This is an exciting moment as they share progress on a whole new area of work, and hear from the team who are making it happen. The event starts at 7.30pm at, with drinks reception from 7.00pm. You can book your free place (and find out more information) on their website: http://cambridgeyfc.uk/commissioning . *Sunday 28th April – after church - St Philip’s APCM *the annual meeting of the church at which we report on the activities of the church through the year, report on our finances and most importantly give thanks for our elected representatives who look after the governance of our church for us. You can find copies of the Financial Report in church this Sunday or email Lucy (lucy(a)stphilipschurch.org.uk) *Sunday 5th May - St Philip’s Day Picnic *– an opportunity on our Patronal Festival (that’s a fancy term meaning we are St Philip’s Church so St Philip’s Day is special to us!) to celebrate all that is St Philip’s, who we are as a church and what we do. And then after the service to picnic in the Vicarage garden together. Please do make it a plan to join us that Sunday – and to pray for good weather! *Toilet Refurbishment* the PCC have commissioned a refurbishment of all the toilets in the church which will begin next week. They will be completed in stages so we wont lose all our facilities at once – do not worry! But please do be aware that there may be some disruption when you come into church and please bear with us while this much needed work is done. *Work on Stan’s House* – as many of you will know Stanley Downing very generously left his house to the church, we are currently discerning very carefully how we can honour his generosity and steward this amazing resource well and there are some exciting options open to us. But the first step is clearing the house and fully assessing the property. So, if you see a skip outside or tradespeople entering the property over the next few months please don’t be alarmed. *Mental Health First Aid Course - 1, 9, 13, 15th May - 9am-12.30pm on zoom* –MHFA England are running a course open to all who would like to become a Mental Health First Aider – to gain the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health, be confident to start a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support. There is a cost for this course and you will need to attend all sessions but if you are interested come and chat to me and I can let you have the details. *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * Let the grass grow under your feet! As daisies, dandelions, buttercups bloom why not leave the mowing for a few days more and allow the pollinators time to enjoy these flowers. *Last Week’s sermon* Last two weeks of sermons if you want to catch up: sermon.14.4.24.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-04-14%20-%20Ruth%20-%20c.mp3> The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/> *This Sunday 21st April – Easter 4* *8.30am – Reflective Holy Communion* our readings will be Psalm 23 & John 10:11-18 *10.30am – All Age Worship * this Sunday we’ll be thinking about what it means to be gathered into the fold 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 *Prayers * If any of you have specific prayers you would like us to include in this newsletter do please get in touch. *Judi Griffiths *– Sadly Judi needs to undergo her pacemaker operation again. Please pray that God will protect, comfort and heal her and Jim as they face this disappointment and worry. *Tracee & Lee* – Tracee is undergoing her operation on 24th April please pray for God to hold her and Lee in peace as the time approaches and for speedy healing afterwards. *Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:* *Romsey Mill* – A local charity creating opportunities with young people, children and families in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Many of you will be very familiar with the work of Romsey Mill – please pray for them this month with all their new initiatives. *Neil Perry (Romsey Mill CEO) will be joining us this Sunday to catch us up with all Romsey Mill’s current initiatives* *Regular Weekly events to join:* *Friday 12noon Lunchtime Bible Club *A relaxed look at the bible passage/s for the upcoming Sunday. Bring along a packed lunch and explore scripture whilst eating lunch together. *Wednesday 12noon Reflective Holy Communion* A quiet time to help find space and peace in the middle of the week. *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 *Wednesday 10.30-12noon & Friday 1.30-3.00 –* Wednesday & Friday Friends *Both are “Warm Spaces” with Tea/coffee, cake/biscuits and chat * Just turn up if you’d like to join us for a cuppa/read the paper/do some of the jigsaw/knit/colour/sit quietly watching the world go by. *Wednesdays 7.00-7.30pm - Weekly Prayers on zoom*: - Meeting ID: 852 1105 2733 Password: 397987 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85211052733?pwd=OE52bm9NS1RtQVQ0ZytTc0xBZnVsUT09 *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 12.4.24
by Ruth Barry 12 Apr '24

12 Apr '24

Dear all, He is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia! The shops may have moved on, school terms are nearly starting with all thoughts turned to summer but we in the church are still celebrating. Easter is a 7 week-long celebration which takes us right up to Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter and on to Pentecost, 50 days after Easter Sunday. In this season we spend longer celebrating Easter than we spent preparing for it – and yet – do we? In the church we will. All our readings will be taking us deeper into understanding the resurrection, we will proclaim the words above and joyfully shout “alleluia!” at many moments in these next few weeks. But what about Monday to Saturday? How Easter-y does that look for you? Does this season feel any different for you once Easter Day is over, or do things go back to the usual way of things? I wonder if there is anything you might do which holds onto this season in the same way that we hold on to seasons such as Advent or Lent? Perhaps you could collect a wildflower everyday to have in a vase on your kitchen table. A reminder of the new life we are celebrating? Perhaps you could listen to an Easter hymn or song everyday to sing praise in response to Jesus’ resurrection – right through to Pentecost? Perhaps you could simply choose to start each day with that affirmation - He is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia! The blessings of these church seasons are the way they break up the year, they challenge us to do things differently for a while. So whether you’ve been a Jesus loving Christian for 9 days or 90years I invite you to try something different this Easter season - to breathe new life into your faith life. To see how you might connect with Jesus in a new way as we model the lives of the disciples who regularly encountered the risen Jesus over these next 40 days and then powerfully encountered the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. *News and Upcoming Events* ***singing workshop cancelled** *for those of you who signed up for this* - *sadly Ben and Dom are ill and unable to do the workshop and concert that was due to take place tomorrow *A new small group at St P’s – *starting *Thursday 18th April 7-8.30pm at church *will meet for bible study prayer and fellowship. We are beginning with a study on 'meeting the Holy Spirit'. Lucy Sixsmith, Alan Syrop and Polly Macartney look forward to meeting you soon. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Lucy Sixsmith on Lucy(a)stphilipschurch.org.uk or Alan Syrop on alan(a)stphilipschurch.org.uk / 07720 209139. *Edge* will be starting again Sunday 21st April 5.30-7pm at church. I would really love someone to come join us on the team. I lead every fortnight but I could do with an extra helper once a month – which means only 3 sessions and a summer party this term. If you feel you would be able to help please let me know. We have a lovely group of 12 young people who come regularly and they are a joy to spend an evening with so please don’t be shy about coming to join us! *Saturday 27th April* *- 7.30pm – Youth for Christ Open House Commissioning* at The St Andrews Centre in Histon. This is an exciting moment as they share progress on a whole new area of work, and hear from the team who are making it happen. The event starts at 7.30pm at, with drinks reception from 7.00pm. You can book your free place (and find out more information) on their website: http://cambridgeyfc.uk/commissioning . ***Sunday 28th April – after church - St Philip’s APCM** *this is the annual meeting of the church at which we report on the activities of the church through the year, report on our finances and most importantly give thanks for our elected representatives who look after the governance of our church for us. Our church could not function without the voluntary efforts of your PCC – and they are *your* PCC. Elected by the church to make decisions on behalf of the church. If you would like to be elected to join them or if you know someone who you think would be really great to have on this church council - please talk to them, talk to me. We really want to make the PCC as representative of our whole community as possible and it is always good to add fresh eyes to the group so please don’t be shy about coming forward if you’d like to know more. We are particularly looking for someone who would like to become a Deanery Synod Representative which means someone who will take St Philip’s voice to the wider gathering of CofE churches in the area. And, even if you know this is not for you, please pray for God to be encouraging others to step forward - we are all involved in this governance process directly or indirectly! *Saturday 27th April 10am-4pm Listening for Life Course @All Saints Church Hall Cottenham *A course to learn how to listen well to others, to yourself and to God with effective, reflective listening skills. It will be led by trained tutors – Revd Lynda Davies and Revd Natalie Andrews. For more info or to book on the course: Ely events booking <https://elydatabase.org/events/view?course=3794> *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * Let the grass grow under your feet! As daisies, dandelions, buttercups bloom why not leave the mowing for a few days more and allow the pollinators time to enjoy these flowers. *Last Week’s sermon* Last two weeks of sermons if you want to catch up: EasterDay.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-03-31%20-%20Ruth%20-%20c.mp3> & 7.4.2024.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-04-07%20-%20Colin%20-%20c.mp3> The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/> *This Sunday 14th April – Easter 3* *10.30am – All Age Holy Communion *– our readings will be Luke 24:36-48 & Acts 3:11-21 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 *Prayers * If any of you have specific prayers you would like us to include in this newsletter do please get in touch. *Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:* *Romsey Mill* – A local charity creating opportunities with young people, children and families in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Many of you will be very familiar with the work of Romsey Mill – please pray for them this month with all their new initiatives. You may well have sponsored Jon as he ran the Cambridge Half-Marathon for them – and Mike Sanders is running the London Marathon for them this year. You might like to pray for his success and for the wise use of the money they have both raised! *Regular Weekly events to join:* *Friday 12noon Lunchtime Bible Club *A relaxed look at the bible passage/s for the upcoming Sunday. Bring along a packed lunch and explore scripture whilst eating lunch together. *Wednesday 12noon Reflective Holy Communion* A quiet time to help find space and peace in the middle of the week. *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 *Wednesday 10.30-12noon & Friday 1.30-3.00 –* Wednesday & Friday Friends *Both are “Warm Spaces” with Tea/coffee, cake/biscuits and chat * Just turn up if you’d like to join us for a cuppa/read the paper/do some of the jigsaw/knit/colour/sit quietly watching the world go by. *Wednesdays 7.00-7.30pm - Weekly Prayers on zoom*: - Meeting ID: 852 1105 2733 Password: 397987 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85211052733?pwd=OE52bm9NS1RtQVQ0ZytTc0xBZnVsUT09 *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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