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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,… [View More] 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* [View Less]

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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, … [View More]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* [View Less]

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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 … [View More]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* [View Less]

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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 … [View More]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* [View Less]

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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 … [View More]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* [View Less]

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amendment to St Philip's Newsletter 25.10.24
by Ruth Barry 25 Oct '24

25 Oct '24

Apologies all, the service this Sunday 27th October will be Holy Communion with Explorers. Don't forget the clocks go back though! 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 25.10.24
by Ruth Barry 25 Oct '24

25 Oct '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 … [View More]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.* How do you feel about the Bible? For you, is it - Sacred? Historic? Daunting? Delightful? Incomprehensible? Indispensable? Interesting? Boring? This week is Bible Sunday and a moment to celebrate this wonderful library of books that is now so freely available for us to read for ourselves. But how we read the Bible ie genre, context, author, motive is just as important as what we read in the Bible – indeed it will influence how we understand what we read. If you have been reading the Bible for years or if you’ve only just started I would highly recommend the Bible Project as a helpful companion to all you read and perhaps before Sunday you might find 5 minutes to watch one of their videos introducing the Bible and how to read it: https://bibleproject.com/explore/category/how-to-read-bible-introduction/ Who knows you may find yourself drawn in to spending even more time exploring further. I confess it took me years to love the Bible. All those feelings above? I’ve felt them about this great book. But in our current climate and particularly with all the conversations (and arguments!) underway in our global Church it is more important than ever that every individual engages with and understands what we base our faith upon. Yes Jesus is alive and through the Holy Spirit we are able to encounter God in a real way but let’s not be naïve about the influence the written words of scripture have to shape the way we worship and even function as a Church. Indeed so much of our liturgy, and nearly all our theology, comes directly from the Bible and if we don’t fully understand these words and where they come from we risk being wrongly manipulated by them. So I invite you this week to look at your Bible afresh – find a new way to engage with it whether that is through videos such as the Bible Project produce or reading a book related to the Bible (there are some great fiction books out there that base themselves on scripture and as such bring new insight to books or events of the Bible). Perhaps you’d like to join a group to talk about the Bible? Or commit to setting aside time each week – each day – to read a bit of a book of the Bible you’ve not read before? If you’re not sure where to start or how to start, come talk to me, I’d love to help set you off on a journey of discovery and delight with God’s word! *The law of the Lord is perfect,* *reviving the soul;* *the decrees of the Lord are sure,* *making wise the simple;* *More to be desired are they than gold,* *even much fine gold;* *sweeter also than honey,* *and drippings of the honeycomb. * *Psalm 19:7, 10* *News and Upcoming Events* *Free Pasta Give-away – *if any of you read this newsletter before 4pm today there is a lady outside church giving away free pasta meals from Pasta Evangelists – I just advertise it as a gift for Friday dinner if you have no plans – other pasta restaurants are available and there is nothing in it for me as someone gluten intolerant! *Sunday 27th November – 6pm – Fitzwilliam College Evensong* I have been invited to preach – if anyone fancies an excuse to experience a very different style of worship for a change I’m sure you’d be most welcome to come along. *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: * For those who don’t like to think so far ahead, forgive me, but for those of you who have begun to think about Christmas presents already might I invite you this year to explore whether you could make presents for others. Jams/chutneys or cakes and biscuits, sewn gifts or a piece of artwork, vouchers for your time and expertise in a certain area… you might surprise yourself with what you could actually offer someone else that isn’t bought! *Last Week’s sermon* Last week’s sermon: sermons 20.10.24.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-10-20%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. *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:* *GenR8* – GenR8 is a Cambridge-based Christian charity working with primary schools and churches in the Cambridgeshire and North Hertfordshire region. They support learning about the Christian faith in schools through a variety of different programmes including presenting assemblies and prayer spaces. And also support churches in their work with children and work in partnership with them and their local schools. *Services this week 27thOct – 2nd November** ****Don’t forget the clock change this Sunday!***** *Sunday: * *10.30am – All Age Worship – *this week we will be celebrating Bible Sunday and looking at Psalm 19:7-end and 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 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* [View Less]

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St Philip's Church Newsletter 18.10.24
by Ruth Barry 18 Oct '24

18 Oct '24

Dear all, Today I held two women up to God praying for God’s strength and peace to fill them both. One was being made a Bishop and one was dying... Both these women have been a huge part of my story and as I prayed my heart was rejoicing for one and breaking for the other. And I realised as I journeyed with both through today that this must be what God’s heart is doing constantly - both rejoicing with us and breaking for us. It made me wonder once more at God’s endless compassion and … [View More]boundless love to hold us in both joy and pain. And we know God does hold us in both joy and pain because of the power of the incarnation (Jesus’ birth as a human being experiencing all that we experience as humans) and the power of the cross and resurrection (Jesus died through love for us to enable us to be in relationship with God despite our sin and he conquered death and brought the joy of a new life for us to live). Earlier this week a class of 6yr olds asked me “What is the good news of Jesus?” And although I didn’t use this language with them – this is what lies at the heart of the good news for me. God knows us and knows what experience in life and we are loved; in joy and pain, good and bad, celebrations and mistakes, victories and failures, happiness and sadness and I know this because of both the incarnation and the resurrection. Our God is an awesome and wonderful God and I pray that you too may know God’s strength and peace today whether your heart is rejoicing or breaking or wrestling with both at the same time. *“I pray that out of [the Father’s] glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” * *Ephesians 3:16-19* *Exciting Announcement * For those of you who missed it last week I have the privilege of announcing that Michael Priestley has been awarded the Etheldreda Medal by Ely Diocese. This is in recognition of his decades of service to his community in many and varied ways over the years from Headteacher at St Philip’s Primary School to Chair of Governors at Ridgefield Primary School. From the foundation of Romsey Mill and the Central Language School to over 60 years as a Licenced Lay Minister in the Church. Mike has been tireless in service and it is wonderful that his decades of compassionate, wise service - all founded on his deep faith and love of Jesus – are being honoured by this award. The medal will be presented at Ely Cathedral in a special service on *Saturday 26th October, 5.30pm* If you would like to come along please speak to Ruth or Mike & Barbara and we can hopefully arrange some sharing of lifts or co-ordinating train journeys. *News and Upcoming Events* *Saturday 26th October 11am-4pm CSF Food for the Planet Festival * A day of cookery demonstrations, stalls, activities and arts. As friends of Cambridge Sustainable food we are all warmly invited along to the excellent talks delving into nutrition, mental health and food waste at this festival of all things “bean”! There are a limited number of free pre-bookable tickets for the talks, details of which can be found on the following link; https://cambridgesustainablefood.org/events/2024/10/26/food-for-the-planet-… *Switch to a new *e-mail* newsletter format *In December 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. Bekki Clark will have copies of this form at church on Sunday for the next four 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. *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * For those who don’t like to think so far ahead, forgive me, but for those of you who have begun to think about Christmas presents already might I invite you this year to explore whether you could make presents for others. Jams/chutneys or cakes and biscuits, sewn gifts or a piece of artwork, vouchers for your time and expertise in a certain area… you might surprise yourself with what you could actually offer someone else that isn’t bought! *Last Week’s sermon* Last week’s sermon: sermon 13.10.24.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-10-13%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. *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:* *GenR8* – GenR8 is a Cambridge-based Christian charity working with primary schools and churches in the Cambridgeshire and North Hertfordshire region. They support learning about the Christian faith in schools through a variety of different programmes including presenting assemblies and prayer spaces. And also support churches in their work with children and work in partnership with them and their local schools. *Services this week 20th – 26th October* *Sunday: * *8.30am – Reflective Holy Communion *our readings will be Job 38:1-7, 34-end and Mark 10:35-45 *10.30am – All Age Worship – *this week we will be looking at the Mark reading 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* [View Less]

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St Philip's Church Newsletter 11.10.24
by Ruth Barry 11 Oct '24

11 Oct '24

Dear all, I have a daily bible verse that pops up on my phone and today is was: “*Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans*” Proverbs 16:3 which is a wonderfully positive verse – but it immediately put me in mind of a much more commonly quoted saying in the church “If you want to make God laugh – make plans!” And I was reflecting on why the latter saying is much more common and well known. It comes from that acknowledgement (usually born out of challenging … [View More]experiences) that we might make plans but they may not work out – especially if it turns out God had other plans. So what do we make of that Proverb? Did the writer of Proverbs never face that experience of all the best laid plans seemingly falling to pieces? Did they really have such a simple life that they made plans – asked God to bless them and God did?! Do we just dismiss that verse as “of it’s time” or do we do what we so often manage to do as Christians which is say that we believe it to be true but live our lives in a way that demonstrates the opposite belief? Or do we need to dig a little deeper. Those plans that we made that all fell through… did we include God in the making of those plans? Did we pray and ask for guidance? Or did we try in our own strength and our own wisdom to shape our lives? Attempting to find a sense of control over our future? Trusting in God for that future is a lot more scary and uncontrollable. It is no wonder we so often fall back on trying to make our own plans. Now this is not to say that plans are bad. If we are to take God’s command to be good stewards of creation and to treat each other with love – planning and considering the future and how we go about these activities is very important. The difference is the starting place and motivation for the plans. To maintain our own control or to work with God in God’s plans and timings? We have spent the last year as a church following a process of Discerning Together what God is wanting for St Philip’s in the future. And we are now at the stage of asking God to crystalise that work in to a vision for us to work towards together. With a vision comes the opportunity for many plans! But if this verse from Proverbs (and indeed that common saying) teach us anything it is that we do not make those plans and ask God to bless them. Instead, we offer up all our thoughts, fears, excitements and options to God and we ask for the Spirit of God to grow in us a sense of direction – we ask God to form and establish the plan in us – and then we trust God will help us with it! *Exciting Announcement (another one!)* This week I have the privilege of announcing that Michael Priestley has been awarded the Etheldreda Medal by Ely Diocese. This is in recognition of his decades of service to his community in many and varied ways over the years from Headteacher at St Philip’s Primary School to Chair of Governors at Ridgefield Primary School. From the foundation of Romsey Mill and the Central Language School to over 60 years as a Licenced Lay Minister in the Church. Mike has been tireless in service and it is wonderful that his decades of compassionate, wise service - all founded on his deep faith and love of Jesus – are being honoured by this award. The medal will be presented at Ely Cathedral in a special service on *Saturday 26th October, 5.30pm* If you would like to come along please speak to Ruth or Mike & Barbara and we can hopefully arrange some sharing of lifts or co-ordinating train journeys. And in case you missed it last week - we will be welcoming a Curate into the St Philip’s family next summer! Christian Osborne, who is currently an Ordinand in training, will be ordained on Sunday 29th June 2025 and will then complete her curacy training with us as a Pioneer Curate. Christian is not new to Romsey, currently working for Romsey Mill whilst she trains. She and her husband Mark and their 3 children, all have previous connections to St Philip's School where Christian once taught and where all the children attended. More information to follow but it is such an exciting prospect for 2025 and our discernment of what God is doing amongst us and with us and I hope you will join me in welcoming Christian and her family when they arrive. *News and Upcoming Events* *Wednesday 16th October – 7.30pm – at church - In person prayer meeting* This month we will be focussing our prayers on the environment. ***we would be very grateful for any old magazines which contain images of nature which people would be willing to donate to a creative cause. Please bring them into church, preferably this Sunday*** *Thursday 17th October - 10.30am at St Andrews Histon – Mary Walker’s Funeral - *Stewart Taylor will be taking this. *Introduction to Theology Course –* If you are interested in the Bible, Church and how we better understand God then the Diocesan 10 week course is worth thinking about. It is aimed at people thinking of LLM training, ALM preacher training or anyone who wants to think about more Theology for Ministry but it is open to all – I would say a stiring of interest is the clearest indication that this course might be for you! Starting on *Thursday 4th November, 6.45 - 9pm Online, via Zoom* Booking: Diocese of Ely Intro to Theology Course <https://elydatabase.org/events/view?course=4010> Chat to Ruth if you’d like to know more. *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * As the temperature drops this week and those winter winds pick up now is the time we notice the drafts! Taking time to seal drafts around our homes, such as around windows, doors, and loft hatches can reduce our energy consumption through lowering our heating demands. Focussing on increasing the insulation in our homes is the best way to tackle our carbon footprint. *Last Week’s sermon* Last week’s sermon: sermon 6.10.24.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-10-06%20-%20Ruth%20-%20c.mp3> (sorry we’ve missed the beginning of the sermon in the recording!) 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. *Mary Walker’s family* - Please pray for Mary’s family as they prepare for her funeral next week (see above for details) and for Stewart Taylor as he leads that funeral and supports the family. *Jenny Eustace - *Jenny is in hospital with severe back and leg pain and immobility, please pray for wisdom for the doctors to know what course of treatment will be best and for healing and above all peace to fill Jenny. *Molly Clark & Jack Stott – *Please continue to pray for Molly & Jack as they start married life together. *Kim, Kavalli and Kristian* – Please continue to pray for God to grow and deepen their faith after their baptism last week. *Please pray for our Mission Partner this month:* *GenR8* – GenR8 is a Cambridge-based Christian charity working with primary schools and churches in the Cambridgeshire and North Hertfordshire region. They support learning about the Christian faith in schools through a variety of different programmes including presenting assemblies and prayer spaces. And also support churches in their work with children and work in partnership with them and their local schools. *Services this week 13th – 19th October* *Sunday: * *10.30am – Holy communion with Explorers – *this week we will be looking at the challenging words of Jesus in Mark 10:17-31 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 *16th October*) 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* [View Less]

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St Philip's Newsletter 4.10.24
by Ruth Barry 04 Oct '24

04 Oct '24

Dear all, This week I have been speaking to several people about why we are here - the ultimate philosophical question! Many of us avoid thinking about it very deeply and yet subconsciously we can find we shape our lives around an answer we have never actively embraced. The conversation with individuals usually begins when that individual becomes incapacitated to some degree – perhaps through disability temporary or permanent – perhaps through age and infirmity – perhaps through grief. But … [View More]some major life event has thrust them into a position of not being able to “do” anything. And here we find that subconscious, societal understanding which many of us, if not the majority of us, have bought into without even knowing it. Purpose in life = productivity. The view that we are only of value and use in this world if we can offer measurable produce. And although there is something admirable in a desire to contribute practically to society, the trouble with this philosophy is that when we find ourselves unable to contribute in that way – for whatever reason – we begin to believe we have no value and are of no use. Interestingly I realised as I spent time talking with these individuals this week - we don’t put these expectations and pressures of productivity on pets! If you asked any animal lover what the purpose of their pet is they would begin to tell you all about their companionship, unconditional love, faithfulness, the way they can silently sooth an anxious mind. Pets are not required to “do” anything – they are just enjoyed for simply “being” – being calming, being loyal, being cuddly! If only we could be as accepting of ourselves and each other as we are of animals. I firmly believe that God loves us and delights in us – not for any purpose but simply because we *are. * Our personalities, our quirks, our characteristics, our hearts and our minds. That intangible, indefinable quality that makes us who we uniquely are. Most of my deepest friendships don’t stem from what that person can do for me or give to me – it is because of who they are and how they make me feel. If only we could believe that that is the reason God likes us too! Perhaps if we understood our value in this way we might begin to recognise the gift each of us is to this world and to each other and that simply by being a part of someone’s life you are blessing them. Simply being in relationship with them – however “light” that connection – we are reflecting something of God who is the ultimate dynamic relationship of *being. *The great “I am” who is three and one. Then perhaps we might be able to have confidence that simply by *being* we can be of immense value to our world. *Exciting Announcement* I am delighted to announce that next summer we will be welcoming a Curate into the St Philip’s family! Christian Osborne, who is currently an Ordinand in training, will be ordained on Sunday 29th June 2025 and will then complete her curacy training with us as a Pioneer Curate. Christian is not new to Romsey, currently working for Romsey Mill whilst she trains. She and her husband Mark and their 3 children, all have previous connections to St Philip's School where Christian once taught and where all the children attended. More information to follow but it is such an exciting prospect for 2025 and our discernment of what God is doing amongst us and with us and I hope you will join me in welcoming Christian and her family when they arrive. *News and Upcoming Events* *Saturday 5th October – 10am-1pm – Quiet Morning at St John’s Church, Hills Road *Organised by members of the Cambridge Month of Accompanied Prayer Team this will be a time to listen to God and be in God’s presence. Please email cambsprayer(a)gmail.com to book a place of find more information. *Thursday 10th October – 6-8pm - CitizensUK Weaving Trust Event at St Paul’s Church, Hills Road *CitizensUK are a Community Organising group who help build community, across organisational, religious and cultural divides and Weaving Trust events are opportunities to recover and practice the lost art of relating to others across difference - an important skill for a flourishing democracy. During the event attendees have multiple short conversations with others on a series of themes with no other aim than opening dialogue and beginning to weave relationships. If you’d like to know more speak to Ruth. *Monday 14th October – 7.30pm – The Round Church, Cambridge* – Cambridge Apologetics lecture “Wrestling wisely with the Old Testament”. Speakers will be Ellidh Cook and Matt Lillicrap. There will be another event coming up on *11th November* exploring Tolkien, his world view and his creation of Middle-earth. *Wednesday 16th October – 7.30pm – at church - In person prayer meeting* This month we will be focussing our prayers on the environment. *Introduction to Theology Course – *If anyone has been inspired over our sermon series of James to explore a little deeper what this faith thing is all about especially in terms of building up our church communities, then the Diocesan 10 week course is something worth thinking about. It is aimed at people thinking of LLM training, ALM preacher training or anyone who wants to think about more Theology for Ministry. Starting on *Thursday 4th November, 6.45 - 9pm Online, via Zoom* Booking: Diocese of Ely Intro to Theology Course <https://elydatabase.org/events/view?course=4010> *Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: * As the temperature drops this week and those winter winds pick up now is the time we notice the drafts! Taking time to seal drafts around our homes, such as around windows, doors, and loft hatches can reduce our energy consumption through lowering our heating demands. Focussing on increasing the insulation in our homes is the best way to tackle our carbon footprint. *Last Week’s sermon* Last week’s sermon: sermon 29.9.24.mp3 <http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-09-29%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. *Molly Clark & Jack Stott – *Please pray for Martin & Bekki’s daughter Molly and future son-in-law Jack as they get married this Saturday – May God who is love fill their wedding day and whole marriage! *Kim, Kavalli and Kristian* – Please pray for this whole family as they come to this important step on their faith journey. May God’s Spirit rest on them and inspire them! *Please pray for our Mission Partner this month:* *GenR8* – GenR8 is a Cambridge-based Christian charity working with primary schools and churches in the Cambridgeshire and North Hertfordshire region. They support learning about the Christian faith in schools through a variety of different programmes including presenting assemblies and prayer spaces. And also support churches in their work with children and work in partnership with them and their local schools. *Services this week 6th – 12th October* *Sunday: * *8.30am – Reflective Holy Communion* *10.30am – All Age Worship (with Baptism) – *this week we welcome 3 people to be baptised and we will be thinking together about what it means “to become like children” Mark 10:13-16 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 *16th October*) 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* [View Less]

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