Dear all,
*Switch to a new e-mail newsletter format **– if you would like to continue receiving the newsletter – we will need you to fill out a simple paper form giving us your email address and permission to send the newsletter to you. If you are unable to come to church in the next two weeks, for whatever reason, but you would still like to receive the newsletter please get in touch with me and we will see how we can help.*
Today I've spent the day at a conference celebrating 30 years since the first women were ordained priests in the Church of England. My first reaction to the conference was one of joy, “hurrah, yes, let’s celebrate this!” But it was swiftly followed by “wait, only 30 years – that really is shocking!” (After all, it's only been 10 years since women were first ordained bishops - and in Church of England theology there is actually no spiritual difference between a priest and a bishop…) What was interesting for me today was hearing the stories of inequality and casual sexism that women experienced and are still experiencing as they live out their vocations. Yes, we may have women priests and bishops in the Church of England but this “equality” is in fact far from equal with all sorts of provisions and barriers in place around women’s ministry. And this level of equality between men and women is far from true in all parts of the Anglican Communion let alone God’s Church as a whole.
I came away from today firstly feeling privileged to be in such a supportive local church community, where I have never once felt my vocation to serve as a priest in God’s Church called in to question or not recognised and where my voice is heard and respected.
But secondly, I came away from today acutely aware of all the other voices which are silent or silenced in God’s Church as a whole. And this is not right. We believe that humanity was created in God’s image – my understanding of that is that *all* people are made in God’s image and contain the beautiful blue print of the divine in their very being. And if we believe this to be true then we need to treat *all* people with the honour, respect and love due to God. Their voices need to be heard and so often they are not.
Sexism, racism, ageism, ableism… those are just the ways of treating others as less than equal which end in “ism”! There are so many other ways we as human beings do not treat *all* with the honour, respect and love due to God.
The prophet Micah tells us clearly:
*“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? *
*To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8*
Perhaps we need to take up the call for justice a little more boldly – be a little more honest about our own complicity in any “isms” (both as individuals and as a church). And those of us who have the privilege of having a voice – use it to speak up for those with none. But even more positively, we need to be more active in seeking to provide spaces and opportunities to hear those voices speak for themselves.
*News and Upcoming Events*
*Saturday 9th November – 3pm – Ely Cathedral - Eucharist in Celebration of 30 Years of Women’s Priestly Ministry*
*Monday 11th November – work to commence on the Mill Road bridge bus gateway *for more information as to the impact of this work and the bus gateway visit: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/work-to-begin-on-mill-road-bridge-bus...
*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
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Blessings Ruth
*Revd Ruth Barry* *Vicar, St Philip's Church, Cambridge*
185 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3AN 01223 318315 vicar@stphilipschurch.org.uk *My day off is Tuesday*