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 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-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.
*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
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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*