Dear all,
The sun is out! But my goodness the wind is still so bitterly cold… April is one of those months that takes me by surprise every year. I am lulled by the spring flowers, lighter days and more sunshine into thinking summer is here and yet winter hasn’t quite left - it is a now and not yet season. Which is in fact so appropriate for Easter! Because, since Jesus’ resurrection we live in now and not yet times.
Jesus’ resurrection has ushered in God’s kingdom, this new way of living, forgiven, free, at one with God, as God meant for us to be. This is what we celebrate on Easter Day with such joy! And yet we know that this kingdom is not quite here in full – that will happen at those end times when Jesus returns and the whole of creation will be renewed and restored – every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. For now, we live in the in between times, we see glimpses but not in full.
So, how do we manage in the now and not yet? Do we just live in frustration? Well, yes, a little. Frustration shows we know what is to come and we long for it to come – “Your Kingdom come” we pray in the Lord’s prayer. Frustration at the not quite yet can be a great motivator. But we also live in hope and expectation that we will see glimpses of this perfect kingdom. We live with our eyes open to God at work, to see the Spirit on the move. To see those places where God’s kingdom, God’s way, is happening here and now on earth. Wherever we see those fruits of the Spirit growing – we see God’s kingdom established. I pray this week you may live those words “Your kingdom come” and that you may have eyes open to see “*love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control*” growing around you and within you. (Galatians 5:22-23)
*News and Upcoming Events*
*Saturday 27th April* *- 7.30pm – Youth for Christ Open House Commissioning* at The St Andrews Centre in Histon. This is an exciting moment as they share progress on a whole new area of work, and hear from the team who are making it happen. The event starts at 7.30pm at, with drinks reception from 7.00pm. You can book your free place (and find out more information) on their website: http://cambridgeyfc.uk/commissioning .
*Sunday 28th April – after church - St Philip’s APCM *the annual meeting of the church at which we report on the activities of the church through the year, report on our finances and most importantly give thanks for our elected representatives who look after the governance of our church for us. You can find copies of the Financial Report in church this Sunday or email Lucy (lucy@stphilipschurch.org.uk)
*Sunday 5th May - St Philip’s Day Picnic *– an opportunity to celebrate all that is St Philip’s, who we are as a church and what we do. And then after the service to picnic in the Vicarage garden together. Bring a picnic and a rug or chair – and pray for good weather!
*Weeding around the church* – if anyone who can spare 1 hr for weed pulling around the church please talk to Anke to find a time. It’s really important that we keep our church looking tidy – not least because it shows the community that we are no derelict building but here and alive and active!
*Mental Health First Aid Course - 1, 9, 13, 15th May - 9am-12.30pm on zoom* –MHFA England are running a course open to all who would like to become a Mental Health First Aider – to gain the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health, be confident to start a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support. There is a cost for this course and you will need to attend all sessions but if you are interested come and chat to me and I can let you have the details.
*Growing as a Disciple Course* – this is an online course regularly run by Ely Diocese it is a ten session course about deepening your personal faith, and raising your awareness of how God might be calling you to contribute your abilities and time to your churches and communities. Mondays at 7pm, via Zoom - 13 & 20 May, 3, 10, 17 & 24 June, 1, 8, 15 & 22 July. For more info: julie.norris@elydiocese.org or book online: https://elydatabase.org/events/mission_ministry
*Toilet Refurbishment* the PCC have commissioned a refurbishment of all the toilets in the church which will begin next week. They will be completed in stages so we wont lose all our facilities at once – do not worry! But please do be aware that there may be some disruption when you come into church and please bear with us while this much needed work is done.
*Work on Stan’s House* – as many of you will know Stanley Downing very generously left his house to the church, we are currently discerning very carefully how we can honour his generosity and steward this amazing resource well and there are some exciting options open to us. But the first step is clearing the house and fully assessing the property. So, if you see a skip outside or tradespeople entering the property over the next few months please don’t be alarmed.
*Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: *
You can recycle your pens! No more throwing old ones in the bin to fill up landfill take them to any Rymans shop and they will recycle them for you.
*Last Week’s sermon*
Last week’s sermon if you want to catch up: sermon 21.4.24.mp3 http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-04-21%20-%20Ruth%20-%20c.mp3
The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/
*This Sunday 28th April – Easter 5*
*10.30am – Holy Communion with Explorers *(for Primary School aged children) this Sunday Mike will be talking us through Acts 8:26-end where we hear about one of the two Philips in the New Testament – more on that next week!
If you can't attend church in person you can always use this Zoom link:
meeting ID: 976 3739 9129 and Passcode: 330714
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/97637399129?pwd=TGhKWWxOcWF1S242aVhrWDlJdUkxZz09
*Prayers *
If any of you have specific prayers you would like us to include in this newsletter do please get in touch.
*Judi Griffiths *– Judi’s operation was cancelled at the last minute this week but is re-scheduled for Wednesday 1st May. Please pray for her and Jim as they have to cope with this uncertainty and change, please pray that the operation isn’t cancelled again and that it is a success this time!
*Tracee & Lee* – Tracee’s operation went well and she is recovering at home, thanks for your prayers. Please pray for her speedy recouperation and for Lee as he cares for her.
*Ben Hodson* – the newly appointed Headteacher at St Philip’s School. Praise God for this answer to prayer and please pray for Ben as he prepares to join the school in September.
*Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:*
[image: Supported lodgings for young people in Cambridgeshire]*Romsey Mill* – A local charity creating opportunities with young people, children and families in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Many of you will be very familiar with the work of Romsey Mill – please pray for them this month with all their new initiatives. *Neil Perry (Romsey Mill CEO) will be joining us this Sunday to catch us up with all Romsey Mill’s current initiatives*
*Regular Weekly events to join:*
*Friday 12noon Lunchtime Bible Club *A relaxed look at the bible passage/s for the upcoming Sunday. Bring along a packed lunch and explore scripture whilst eating lunch together.
*Wednesday 12noon Reflective Holy Communion* A quiet time to help find space and peace in the middle of the week.
*Monday & Friday 8.30pm – Compline on zoom *
Meeting ID: 836 5965 9953 Passcode: 749968 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83659659953?pwd=btP5AjGMu1s-dE_2W9T0MMFqnnPKSS.1
*Wednesday 10.30-12noon & Friday 1.30-3.00 –* Wednesday & Friday Friends
*Both are “Warm Spaces” with Tea/coffee, cake/biscuits and chat * Just turn up if you’d like to join us for a cuppa/read the paper/do some of the jigsaw/knit/colour/sit quietly watching the world go by.
*Wednesdays 7.00-7.30pm - Weekly Prayers on zoom*: -
Meeting ID: 852 1105 2733 Password: 397987
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85211052733?pwd=OE52bm9NS1RtQVQ0ZytTc0xBZnVsUT09
*Saturdays 8.15am - Morning Bible Discussion and Prayer on zoom*:
Meeting ID: 143 338 655 Password: 824271
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/143338655?pwd=L1JJTFZJNU9EaFZjaUFjQzVlalpMZz09
With love and prayers
Ruth
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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*