June 2024 - News - lists.teaparty.net

St Philip's Newsletter 28.6.24
by Ruth Barry 28 Jun '24

28 Jun '24

Dear all, *Have mercy on me, O God,* *according to your unfailing love;* *Psalm 51:1* This Sunday we continue our sermon series on the psalms with a look at Psalm 51 – often used during Ash Wednesday Services as we face a season of Lenten repentance - but today I just wanted to look at the opening to this psalm. In a refreshingly honest psalm of confession, with the hyperbole of contrition, it is important to note that the psalmist begins by acknowledging God’s never-ending love. It is in the context of knowing that they are loved and that mercy is available to them, that they can be this self-accusing and soul bearingly honest. I have heard it often said that “people don’t say sorry anymore” and I was reminding myself of the process of dealing with a car accident and discovered that “do not apologise or admit responsibility” is part of insurers guidelines in the event of an incident. Admitting guilt – rather than being praised as honesty, revealing integrity and showing strength of character – is now seen as weakness and an opportunity to exploit for monetary gain or status or standing in society. But aside from the issue of the rise of legal compensation (which sadly influences all societal interactions now) admitting guilt and saying sorry has always been a problem for humans. You just need to work with small children to see this! Teaching a child about saying sorry can be a huge challenge, some find it so difficult to say the word. Not because of any fear of legal reprisal but because admitting guilt damages our self esteem and our own sense of self-worth. It acknowledges to the world that we got something wrong. For many people that simple admission is enough to crush them. So of course we avoid it and resist it! Unless. Unless they have a stronger sense that their worth is not so easily removed or lost. Unless they know that love and value remains, and is not lost because of a mistake. So much of our human psychology is driven by an inbuilt need to be valued and loved. And so many in our society do not experience being valued, even less, loved. It is no wonder people cannot say sorry or admit guilt any more. It is a dangerous thing to do if it risks further losing that sense of being accepted and worthy. It is why our gospel is so important to share with the world. Because we know a God who is unfailing love. A God who loves us enough to come to earth as a vulnerable human in order to fix our mistakes for us. A God who counts us so precious that they know every hair on our head, every thought on our heart. A God who will never leave us or forsake us. Even when we get things wrong. Only when we know the solid, stable, constant rock of this love are we free and confident enough to own our mistakes and face the consequences. *News and Upcoming Events* *Saturday 13th July - morning *Ruth will be running Safeguarding training covering (at least) Basic and Foundation modules. If you know that your training needs a refresher and you struggle to do the online courses on your own then this is the opportunity to fulfil those training obligations. All those on PCC and working with our children and vulnerable adults *must* complete these courses but they are actually very helpful for all of us to understand our group responsibility to maintain church as a safe place for all. Let Ruth know if you would like to join her and we will confirm timings with you. *Sunday 14th July - St Philip’s will be providing a welcome tea for the first Cambridge International Summer Outreach team* If you are able to help by providing a little something towards the tea your generosity would be greatly appreciated! Perhaps some sausage rolls or finger sandwiches, a punnet of cherry tomatoes, a bag of crisps or some cupcakes or fruit for example. Michael and Barbara Priestley will be co-ordinating the gathering and transporting of the food to the venue please let them know in church next Sunday if you are able to help, even in a very small way, to providing a lovely welcome for the CIO volunteers. *Sunday 21st July – 2.30-6pm – A Family Pilgrimage Afternoon at Little Gidding *Described as an afternoon of fun, faith, fresh air and food this is an opportunity to explore God’s world as a family. There will be storytelling, worship, walking and prayer stations. Please bring some picnic food to share for tea. For more information contact Rev Fiona revfiona(a)norleigh.org.uk (children must be accompanied by a parent or carer.) *Toilet Refurbishment* these are progressing – thanks for bearing with us as various toilets have been out of action. *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * Do you have a bird bath in your garden? Why not make your own this summer to provide birds with a place to drink and bathe. The RSPB has great advice <https://www.rspb.org.uk/helping-nature/what-you-can-do/activities/make-the-…> for making your own but remember the perfect bird bath will have very shallow sloping sides, a maximum depth of only 10cm or so and be as wide as possible – ideally more than 30cm across. *Last Week’s sermon* Last week’s sermon: sermon 23.6.24.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-06-23%20-%20Ruth%20-%20c.mp3> The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/> *This Sunday 30th June – 5th Sunday of the month* *10.30am – All Age Holy Communion *This 5th week of the month we have a slightly different look service and we will be exploring Psalm 51 together. With Matthew 9:9-13 to contribute to our learning. 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. *Rebecca Mathen, Robyn Russell-Jones, Natalie Davies & Jonathan Chatfield *as they prepare for their ordinations over this weekend. Please pray for all those being ordained that God’s Spirit may fill them and equip them to serve in all the places they have been called. *The family of Cynthia Constable who sadly died last week. *Please pray in particular for her daughter Sue – for peace and the reassurance of God’s constant presence with them in their sadness. *Lucy Sixsmith *will be stepping down from her role as Parish Assistant at the end of July. We will be so sad to see her leave St Philip’s but please pray for her in this next season of life and please also pray for us as a church as we seek to reappoint someone to the role. *The General Election*. Please join us on zoom on Wednesday night as we come together to pray for the Election (see below for more details) and we continue to pray daily for all those standing for election, for integrity and the motivation to seek the common good. And for us as the voting public that we may use our votes and use them with discernment and wisdom. *Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:* *Friends International Cambridge* – is a group of Christians who love to meet internationals from all over the world and to welcome them into community, no matter their faith background. Through regular meet-ups and activities, Friends International get to know internationals who come to Cambridge and talk about faith with those who are interested. Find out more at www.ficambs.uk *Regular Weekly Services/Prayers to join:* *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 *Wednesdays 7.00-7.30pm - Weekly Prayers on zoom *special General Election prayer time**: - 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 21.6.24
by Ruth Barry 21 Jun '24

21 Jun '24

Dear all, Yesterday I was at a Diocesan wide training session all about Spirituality and Prayer – yes even Vicars are still learning how to pray! And this Sunday we will all be thinking about prayer in church, particularly how we pray in difficult circumstances and for things that are not easy. We will be focussing on Psalm 31 and drawing out the psalmist’s trust in God with the obvious connection that when things are at their most difficult in our lives – trusting in something unknown or unseen can be a huge challenge. Verse 5 is one of the key verses for me because it encompasses all that the psalmist is articulating to God: *“Into your hands I commit my spirit;* *Redeem me Lord, my faithful God.”* Jesus quoted half of this verse from the cross as he died and so these words may have an air of finality as we hear them – a moment of giving up the spirit in death - but for the psalmist they come near the beginning of this psalm of lament and grief and desperation, they come as major challenges still continue around them. If we read these words in this context they provide a statement of faith – committing what the future holds, what life next has in store – all of it - into God’s hands. They are a request for redemption – not necessarily about rescue by God but about being put right by God. Yesterday, at the training session, I was reminded that prayer, the nourishing, personal daily act of prayer is just such a statement of faith – not just an activity we are expected to do as Christians -but an act of choosing to make a connection with God, an act of choosing to open ourselves, all of ourselves, up to God’s influence. If we come at prayer as a shopping list of requests expecting each one to be granted, we will spend most of our lives wrestling with why God doesn’t always do what we want! Instead, what happens when we pray, is that we commit our spirit to God. We invite God to redeem us, to make us right from the inside out, then we are able to place our petitions before God, honestly voicing our needs, our anger, our joy and we are allowing God to shape those requests and emotions. To see things through God’s eyes, to feel things with God’s heart, to be moved into action by God’s spirit. If we approach prayer as a moment of letting go of all the masks and fortified walls, we put up every day as we navigate this world, we may find ourselves surprised by where our prayers take us, what we find popping into our minds to say or think about, what we find is put on our hearts. This is the redeeming power of Christ to realign ourselves with God’s way for the world; the being put right, from the inside out, that prayer offers us. I hope that this week you might find the time to take yourself to a quiet or special place, to take a deep breath and say these words of Psalm 31v5, and then just wait for God’s loving and merciful response – whatever that might look like for you. *News and Upcoming Events* *Sunday 23rd June - Rescheduled Ben & Dom Tour* – Ben & Dom are a singing duo from south London. Both experienced choir leaders and community musicians they love group singing and encouraging others to join their voices together in harmony. This is a Singing Workshop (2-4.30pm) followed by a performance (4.45-5.45pm) both taking place at St Philip’s Church. You can find out more and buy tickets for the event at benanddom.com *28th-29th June Cambridge Apologetics Summer Conference *A two-day conference in Cambridge bringing together local Christians to support and equip one another in engaging the thinkers around us with the gospel. At St Andrew the Great, CB2 3AX. Find out more at 2024 Summer Conference – Cambridge Apologetics <https://www.cambridgeapologetics.org/2024-summer-conference/> *Sunday 14th July - St Philip’s will be providing a welcome tea for the first Cambridge International Summer Outreach team* If you are able to help by providing a little something towards the tea your generosity would be greatly appreciated! Perhaps some sausage rolls or finger sandwiches, a punnet of cherry tomatoes, a bag of crisps or some cupcakes or fruit for example. Michael and Barbara Priestley will be co-ordinating the gathering and transporting of the food to the venue please let them know in church next Sunday if you are able to help, even in a very small way, to providing a lovely welcome for the CIO volunteers. *Sunday 21st July – 2.30-6pm – A Family Pilgrimage Afternoon at Little Gidding *Described as an afternoon of fun, faith, fresh air and food this is an opportunity to explore God’s world as a family. There will be storytelling, worship, walking and prayer stations. Please bring some picnic food to share for tea. For more information contact Rev Fiona revfiona(a)norleigh.org.uk (children must be accompanied by a parent or carer.) *Toilet Refurbishment* these are progressing – thanks for bearing with us as various toilets have been out of action. *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * Do you have a bird bath in your garden? Why not make your own this summer to provide birds with a place to drink and bathe. The RSPB has great advice <https://www.rspb.org.uk/helping-nature/what-you-can-do/activities/make-the-…> for making your own but remember the perfect bird bath will have very shallow sloping sides, a maximum depth of only 10cm or so and be as wide as possible – ideally more than 30cm across. *Last Week’s sermon* Last week’s sermon: sermon 16.6.24.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-06-16%20-%20Colin%20-%20c.mp3> The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/> *This Sunday 23rd June * *10.30am – Holy Communion with Explorers *This week we will be looking at Psalm 31 in depth. How do we hold on to God through challenging times in our lives? 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. *Lucy Sixsmith *will be stepping down from her role as Parish Assistant at the end of July. We will be so sad to see her leave St Philip’s but please pray for her in this next season of life and please also pray for us as a church as we seek to reappoint someone to the role. *The General Election*. Please continue to pray for all those standing for election, for integrity and the motivation to seek the common good. And for us as the voting public that we may use our votes and use them discernment and wisdom. *Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:* *Friends International Cambridge* – is a group of Christians who love to meet internationals from all over the world and to welcome them into community, no matter their faith background. Through regular meet-ups and activities, Friends International get to know internationals who come to Cambridge and talk about faith with those who are interested. Find out more at www.ficambs.uk *Regular Weekly Services/Prayers to join:* *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 *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 Newsletter 14.6.24
by Ruth Barry 14 Jun '24

14 Jun '24

Dear all, *“You have searched me, Lord,* *and you know me.” (Psalm 138:1)* This week our psalm is 139, a very familiar Psalm to many. And often a favourite. It contains such words of comfort – to know that we are fully known and never beyond the reach of God’s love. These are powerful truths which the world today needs to hear. But this psalm also contains another powerful truth the world needs to hear – and that is the importance of humility. Humility is not a quality prized by our current world. But I think that is partly because we have lost an understanding of what humility is. I think many would say that humility is thinking less of yourself, being self-effacing, not being boastful or proud. And yes, some of those things are evident in humble people. But I think people would also equate humble with lacking in confidence and here I find myself rising up in challenge because I would argue that humility can only come from absolute confidence. Confidence in knowing oneself to be loved, valued and worthy. If an individual knows these three things to be true then there is no motivation to seek affirmation from others. There is no need for self-promotion in order to receive accolades and the concurrent sense of self-worth. There is no need to exert authority over others to find a sense of self-importance. There is no need to push for one’s own needs over those of another to achieve a sense of security. If we have an inner, totally secure and unshakable understanding of our value in the world we are then free to promote the value and flourishing of others. For me this is what Psalm 139 is gloriously singing about. We are known, seen and lovingly embroidered into life (as one translation puts it) by an almighty entity who has the power to be present regardless of geography, circumstances or spiritual state. It is only when confident in the evidence of their worth in God’s eyes that the Psalmist can then open themselves up to be search, tested and guided by God. To submit themselves humbly to correction. *“Search me, God, and know my heart;* *test me and know my anxious thoughts.* *See if there is any offensive way in me,* *and lead me in the way everlasting.” (v23-24)* It is a fact of human nature that only when we are confident in ourselves can we face up to critique and challenge, otherwise we respond in defensive ways, or go on the attack ourselves to protect our wounded egos and pride. So often in our world going on the attack, winning “victories” over others, proving our prowess or superiority are the ways we understand confidence and worth and yet they so often mask deep weakness and insecurity. And we see the resultant brokenness in cycles of violence and abuse as we scramble over each other in a desperate search for our own value and self-worth. I pray that you may have time this weekend to sit with Psalm 139, to marvel in God knowing you fully – from atom to aspiration, from DNA to dreams. And that while you sit with that awe inspiring, confidence building thought, I pray that you may hear the words of Jesus speaking to you “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” (John 15:9). May you know this to be true in every fibre of your being so that you are filled with such confidence that it enables you to take a step back and embrace the humility of the one who, knowing that the Father had put all things under his power, did not laud it over others but instead got down on his knees and washed his disciples feet… This is the different way we are called to live, the way of God’s kingdom. *News and Upcoming Events* *Saturday 15th June – 10am-1pm - Repair Café at St Martin’s Church *Organised by Coleridge Community Forum, visit www.coleridgecf.org/whats-happening to book in your repair or to book in for DIY advice. There will also be a cake sale, crafting and a bric-o-brac stall *Sunday 16th June -3-5pm - ‘Music in the Parks’ * So begins a summer of free music in Cambridge’s parks. This first Sunday is at Romsey Rec. and Sing! Community Choir will be performing from 4 to 5 pm right after ARU Musical Theatre Choir. For more info about all the concerts through the summer visit MUSIC IN THE PARKS | Cambridge Live <https://www.cambridgelive.org.uk/city-events/Music-in-the-Parks> *Sunday 23rd June - Rescheduled Ben & Dom Tour* – Ben & Dom are a singing duo from south London. Both experienced choir leaders and community musicians they love group singing and encouraging others to join their voices together in harmony. This is a Singing Workshop (2-4.30pm) followed by a performance (4.45-5.45pm) both taking place at St Philip’s Church. You can find out more and buy tickets for the event at benanddom.com *28th-29th June Cambridge Apologetics Summer Conference *A two-day conference in Cambridge bringing together local Christians to support and equip one another in engaging the thinkers around us with the gospel. At St Andrew the Great, CB2 3AX. Find out more at 2024 Summer Conference – Cambridge Apologetics <https://www.cambridgeapologetics.org/2024-summer-conference/> *Sunday 21st July – 2.30-6pm – A Family Pilgrimage Afternoon at Little Gidding *Described as an afternoon of fun, faith, fresh air and food this is an opportunity to explore God’s world as a family. There will be storytelling, worship, walking and prayer stations. Please bring some picnic food to share for tea. For more information contact Rev Fiona revfiona(a)norleigh.org.uk (children must be accompanied by a parent or carer.) *Monday Small Group. *A new small group for Bible study, discussion and prayer will meet for 6 weeks, starting May 27th, on Mondays 11am-12.30. We’ll meet in the Prayer Room with tea/coffee and discuss passages from Mark’s gospel. Email lucy(a)stphilipschurch.org.uk if you would like to come or have questions! *Warm Spaces (Young Adults’ Version). *From May 29th, Warm Spaces will be open on Wednesday evenings (7-9pm) to provide a relaxed social space, tea and snacks, friendship and maybe some board games for younger adults. The aim is to create a coffee-shop-type atmosphere, for people who may be at work while cafes are open, house-sharing or living with family, and short of opportunities to socialize and meet new people. Please do spread the word among 20s/30s you know! *CIO Summer Outreach – Hosts needed *Each year Friends International run 6 weeks of summer teams (3 x 2 weeks) for outreach to (mostly) language students and equipping/Christian growth of the team members. Home (cambridgeinternationaloutreach.uk) <https://cambridgeinternationaloutreach.uk/> Our team members stay with local Christians who kindly open their home for 2 weeks to offer bed and breakfast for free. If you have a spare room and would be willing to host a team member the team would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Jenny.Hunter(a)friendsinternational.uk *Toilet Refurbishment* these are progressing – thanks for bearing with us as various toilets have been out of action. *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * Co-op has re-opened! This means you can once more recycle your soft plastics at their tills – particularly those crisp packets and pet food pouches that we can’t put in our blue bins in Cambridge. *Last Week’s sermon* Last week’s sermon: sermon 9.6.24.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-06-09%20-%20Michael%20-%20c.mp3> The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/> *This Sunday 16th June * *8.30am – Reflective Holy Communion * *10.30am – All Age Worship with Baptism *Colin will be taking us through Psalm 139 and Mark3:1-6 as we also welcome Joab, Petina, Ceasar and Albert to be baptised. 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. *Lucy Sixsmith *will be stepping down from her role as Parish Assistant at the end of July. We will be so sad to see her leave St Philip’s but please pray for her in this next season of life and please also pray for us as a church as we seek to reappoint someone to the role. *The General Election*. And if you’d like guidance as to how on earth to do that, the Church of England have produced a resource for 21 days of prayer from 14th June to 4th July. You can either buy a little booklet or sign up to daily emails. Find out more at Pray Your Part <https://www.churchofengland.org/about/topics/pray-your-part-general-electio…> (let me know if you are interested in the booklet and I can investigate buying a bulk lot!) *Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:* *Friends International Cambridge* – is a group of Christians who love to meet internationals from all over the world and to welcome them into community, no matter their faith background. Through regular meet-ups and activities, Friends International get to know internationals who come to Cambridge and talk about faith with those who are interested. Find out more at www.ficambs.uk *Regular Weekly Services/Prayers to join:* *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 *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 Newsletter 7.6.24
by Ruth Barry 07 Jun '24

07 Jun '24

Dear all, Yesterday was the commemoration of the D-Day landings, I'm sure you’ve seen all the ceremonies and acts of remembrance honouring all those brave men and women making the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom and protection of others. It is absolutely right to honour their courage with gratitude but I confess it also makes me so sad for the state of our world today. Remembering these significant moments in history just bring to mind all the mindless acts of violence, the very much mind*ful* acts of aggression, the wars, the conflicts and the battles that have raged in these intervening 80 years. Wars that we sometimes seem to forget still rage. For some of us it leads to switching off the news and avoiding painful reminders. For some of us it leads to immense gratitude for the relative peace and security that we have. And for some of us, it leads to losing faith, overwhelmed by the seeming endless brutality of humanity. It is facing this very real risk of losing faith with God that we will be exploring in our Psalm Series this Sunday. What do we do when we begin to feel that God is absent? When we feel forsaken by God? Where do we take our pain and disillusionment? Psalm 22 will be our guide as it powerfully, and evocatively, takes us on a journey we may be very familiar with – oscillating between utter despair and confident trust. At one point feeling dejected and physically distraught, the next finding strength and hope in God, but then cast back into anguish, before proclaiming confidence in God once more. If you have ever wrestled with the question of “Where is God in all this?!” I would invite you come dwell in Psalm 22 with us for a while and explore the idea that we can rail at God, we can take our pain and anger to God – we don’t always have to wear the mask of “Chipper Christian!”. It takes 2 minutes to read but I would imagine the emotional roller-coaster of this psalm took much longer to live through. What images or descriptions from the psalm resonate with you I wonder? Have you ever undergone just such an experience? What triggered the turning points for you? *My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,* * by night, but I find no rest. (v2)* *I will declare your name to my people;* * in the assembly I will praise you. (v22)* What I love about Psalm 22 is the fact that both agony and trust are held together in fragile faith. It gives me both permission to share the same experience and affirmation that if I waver or have serious doubts this is not the end of the story. There is room for despair and there is power to effect change. *For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one;* *he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. (v24)* Our pain is never scorned by God. I pray that if this is your lived experience right now, that you will know God listening to you and being with you. And may the creative genius of the writer of Psalm 22 bless you. If you want to get a great overview on the book of Psalms those fabulous people at The Bible Project have made an overview video: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/psalms/ *News and Upcoming Events* *Tuesday 11th - 6.45 for 7pm - Climate & Environment Cambridge Election Hustings, *this is a free ticketed event taking place at Wesley Methodist Church (Christ's Pieces, CB1 1LG), and hosted by Cambridge Friends of the Earth. It will be chaired by Terry Macalister. The following candidates have confirmed their attendance; Cheney Payne (Liberal Democrats), Daniel Zeichner (Labour Party), Khalid Abu-Tayyem (Workers Party), Sarah Nicmanis (Green Party), David Carmona (Independent) *Click here to get your free in-person ticket * <https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cambridge-climate-and-environmental-hustings…> - Click here to get an *attend* *online ticket* <https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-attendees-tickets-cambridge-climate-a…> *Saturday 15th June – 10am-1pm - Repair Café at St Martin’s Church *Organised by Coleridge Community Forum, visit www.coleridgecf.org/whats-happening to book in your repair or to book in for DIY advice. There will also be a cake sale, crafting and a bric-o-brac stall *28th-29th June Cambridge Apologetics Summer Conference *A two-day conference in Cambridge bringing together local Christians to support and equip one another in engaging the thinkers around us with the gospel. At St Andrew the Great, CB2 3AX. Find out more at 2024 Summer Conference – Cambridge Apologetics <https://www.cambridgeapologetics.org/2024-summer-conference/> *Monday Small Group. *A new small group for Bible study, discussion and prayer will meet for 6 weeks, starting May 27th, on Mondays 11am-12.30. We’ll meet in the Prayer Room with tea/coffee and discuss passages from Mark’s gospel. Email lucy(a)stphilipschurch.org.uk if you would like to come or have questions! *Prayer Room furniture. *Now that we have small groups meeting in the Prayer Room, we would love to make it cosier by replacing the green church chairs with living-room furniture. Please talk to Ruth or Lucy if you have a chair, cushion or throw that you no longer need. We hope to find things that are comfortable, sturdy and go with each other. It would be great to do this with second-hand, home-like items but please be aware we can only accept furniture with soft furnishings that have fire safety certificates (there should be a tag on them!) *Warm Spaces (Young Adults’ Version). *From May 29th, Warm Spaces will be open on Wednesday evenings (7-9pm) to provide a relaxed social space, tea and snacks, friendship and maybe some board games for younger adults. The aim is to create a coffee-shop-type atmosphere, for people who may be at work while cafes are open, house-sharing or living with family, and short of opportunities to socialize and meet new people. Please do spread the word among 20s/30s you know! *CIO Summer Outreach – Hosts needed *Each year Friends International run 6 weeks of summer teams (3 x 2 weeks) for outreach to (mostly) language students and equipping/Christian growth of the team members. Home (cambridgeinternationaloutreach.uk) <https://cambridgeinternationaloutreach.uk/> Our team members stay with local Christians who kindly open their home for 2 weeks to offer bed and breakfast for free. If you have a spare room and would be willing to host a team member the team would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Jenny.Hunter(a)friendsinternational.uk *Toilet Refurbishment* these are progressing – thanks for bearing with us as various toilets have been out of action. *Opportunities* - An announcement from Cambridge & Peterborough Adoption Adoption is a way of providing a new, permanent family for a child or siblings who cannot grow up with their birth parents or family. It’s a legal procedure where all the parental responsibility is transferred to the adopters and the child becomes a full legal member of their new adoptive family. The child you adopt will take your family’s surname and assumes the same rights as if they had been born to you. If you’d like to find more information about Adoption, get in touch or visit the links below. Visit our website at www.cpadoption.co.uk Email us at adoptionenquiries(a)cambridgeshire.gov.uk Call us on 0300 123 1093 or head to our YouTube channel @cambridgeshirepeterborough2747 where we post podcast episodes speaking to our adopters about their experience and our team. *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * Co-op has re-opened! This means you can once more recycle your soft plastics at their tills – particularly those crisp packets and pet food pouches that we can’t put in our blue bins in Cambridge. *Last Week’s sermon* The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/> *This Sunday 9th June * *10.30am – Holy Communion with Explorers *We will be continuing our sermon series on the Psalms with Mike talking us through Psalm 22 this week. How do we talk to God when it feels like God has abandoned us? Our other reading this week seed this Psalm used in action: Mark 15:25-39 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 pray for General Election. And if you’d like guidance as to how on earth to do that, the Church of England have produced a resource for 21 days of prayer from 14th June to 4th July. You can either buy a little booklet or sign up to daily emails. Find out more at Pray Your Part <https://www.churchofengland.org/about/topics/pray-your-part-general-electio…> (let me know if you are interested in the booklet and I can investigate buying a bulk lot!) *Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:* *Friends International Cambridge* – is a group of Christians who love to meet internationals from all over the world and to welcome them into community, no matter their faith background. Through regular meet-ups and activities, Friends International get to know internationals who come to Cambridge and talk about faith with those who are interested. Find out more at www.ficambs.uk *Regular Weekly Services/Prayers to join:* *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 *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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