Blessings
Ruth
Revd Ruth Barry
Vicar, St Philip's Church, Cambridge
Dear all,
From James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
To all of God’s people who are scattered everywhere in the world: Greetings.
James 1:1
This September, as we journey through Creationtide the lectionary brings us the book of James. A letter that stands apart from many of the other letters of the New Testament – a different voice, a different style, possibly it might seem a different message. It actually has a lot more in common with Old Testament wisdom literature – with pithy sayings and memorable maxims – than it does with Paul’s systematic theology in Romans for example. And because of its style and content it actually makes a good book for us to follow through this season when we are thinking more about our connection and interaction with the whole of God’s creation. Because the book of James is very much concerned with how to live a life of faith – it is not focussed on explaining and understanding what faith is – but instead how we live and work and act in this world in response to a relationship with God.
I wonder what words of wisdom or sayings and maxims you have shaped your life around? If we really think about it, it can be surprising what things have stuck. Some might be religious – “treat others as you would like to be treated” Jesus’ “golden rule” will often be quoted. But others might be more surprising. I was introduced to the poem Desiderata when I was little and the phrase “never compare yourself to others or you may become vain or bitter. For there will always be greater or lesser persons than yourself” has stuck in my brain and quotes itself surprisingly frequently. We all soak up “wisdom” throughout our lives – some of it good, inspiring and positive and some of it unhelpful, inhibiting and negative. The real wisdom is discerning what we let influence our character and how we act. I invite you this coming month to take stock of the “wisdom” guiding your life. What has unintentionally shaped you? What has actively defined you? Is there wisdom that you can still gain from? Is there some “wisdom” that is in fact a negative influence on your life that you may need to let go of? You might like to take some time with scriptural wisdom – perhaps the book of Proverbs or Job or indeed James, or others, and as you read allow yourself to notice what is familiar – it has stuck in your brain - and what surprises you or inspires you afresh. Where does God’s wisdom differ from the “worldly” wisdom you may have absorbed along the way?
News and Upcoming Events
Saturday 31st August – 11am - CSF Urban Foraging Event – at St Philip’s Church If you’d like to pop down and help CSF prepare all the fruit they have foraged around the city please pop in. More information can be found on their website: The Big Urban Forage - Join the Autumn Challenge — Cambridge Sustainable Food
Until Friday 13th September – have your say on the proposed bus gate for Mill Road. Information can be found at: Permanent Traffic Regulation Orders | Cambridgeshire County Council and a statement about the current position of the proposal here: An update on the Mill Road Traffic Regulation Order and legal challenge | Cambridgeshire County Council
If you would like to object or make any comments to the proposed TRO, please submit your comments through the consultation portal or send your letter, email to the addresses below using reference number PR1058.
Online Portal - Consultation.appyway.com / Email - Policy.andregulation@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Address - Policy & Regulation Team, Cambridgeshire Highways, Stanton Way, Stukeley Meadows Industrial Estate, Huntingdon PE29 6PY
Thursday 5th September - 7:30pm at Church - our Thursday small group is starting a new term. September is an ideal time pick up something worthwhile so we hope that you will consider joining us for some easily digested bible study, prayer and fellowship. The topic is broad and also deep - the Fruit of the Spirit as listed in Galatians. For more information please speak to Polly Macartney or Alan Syrop - alan@stphilipschurch.org.uk or 07720 209139.
Wednesday 18th September Prayer Meeting, 7.30pm at church The first monthly in person prayer meeting led by Polly Macartney. Please do join us for a time of focussed prayer for the world and for our local community.
Tuesday 17th September – Ely Cathedral Environment Memorial Lecture – 6.30pm Ely Cathedral Canon Dr Peter Brotherton, Director of Science, Natural England, will speak on 'Climate change and nature loss: twin crises, shared solutions’. Entry is free - for more information visit: Environment Memorial Lecture - Ely Cathedral
Thursday 10.30am-12.30pm Ross Street Community centre - Sew positive – free creative textile sessions for positive mental health find out more at sewpositive.org
Making Sense of… St John’s Waterbeach lecture series. These are often excellent evenings with eminent guest speakers on various topics. To find the autumn series head to: Making Sense | St Johns Waterbeach
The first event will be Sunday 29th September at 7pm - Making Sense of Environmental Theology with Dr Hilary Marlow, Vice-Mistress of Girton College, Cambridge.
Opportunities
It may feel too soon to talk about it but if you are interested in joining an impromptu carol singing group to sing outside Co-op at Mill Road Winter Fair please speak to Ruth. We have an opportunity to take the carols outside of church this year and join with people singing in the street at the end of the Fair.
Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week:
Ely Diocese are building a network of Eco Champions from churches across our Diocese, if you are interested in this voluntary role with opportunities to work with others who have similar passions, take part in training opportunities and work in partnership with the Diocesan Environment Officer Nigel Cooper then please get in touch with nigel.cooper@elydiocese.org and let me know! You can read the role description here: Eco Champion Role description
Last Week’s sermon
Last week’s sermon: sermon 25.8.24.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
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 ...
The family of Tim Gaved our mission partner at Wycliffe Bible Translators Tim sadly died this week and Maggie will be taking compassionate leave from Wycliffe. Please pray for God’s peace to hold them as a family as they grieve and for all that Tim & Maggie have achieved with Wycliffe – that it will continue to bless the world.
The congregation at St Marks Newnham & St Mary's Granchester as they welcome Revd. Jim Robinson as their new vicar on 5th September.
The congregation at St Benet's Church as they welcome their new vicar Revd. Devin McLachlan on 13th September.
The family of Mary Walker – please pray for God to hold them in peace as they come to terms with her death and plan for her funeral.
Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:
Langham Partnership – Every church deserves a well-equipped pastor!
80% of pastors in the Majority World lack any formal training. Langham Partnership equip pastors around the world to preach God's Word.
Services this week 1st -7th September
Sunday:
8.30am – Reflective Holy Communion our readings will be James 1:17-end & Mark 7:1-23
10.30am – All Age Worship this week we will begin our September focus on the Letter of James
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 (starting again in September)
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)
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
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