Blessings
Ruth
Revd Ruth Barry
Vicar, St Philip's Church, Cambridge
Dear all,
Sheep – this Sunday we will be thinking a lot about sheep. Sheep are mentioned over 200 times in the bible and often in relation to God’s people, us, being compared to them. Israel’s king was often referred to as a shepherd of the people and of course (as we will talk about on Sunday) Jesus called himself the good shepherd come to gather his flock. How do you feel about being likened to a sheep? I’m never quite sure – sheep don’t get a great press – usually thought of as stupid and hopeless at looking after themselves. Is this not quite fair do you think, or is it painfully apt? I wonder? I also wonder if we have lost some of the nuances of the role of sheep and shepherds in our urban life. Go with me on this one (especially if you are a dog lover) but I wonder if cats might be a more accessible reference for us in this part of the world today. Cats are wilfully independent and clever. Affectionate and loving to their owners however they can also be distant and aloof. Cute and cuddly as well as being vicious hunters when they want to be. But regardless of the character of their pet, most cat owners would do anything for their feline family member. The pet food industry and pet accessory industries are huge! Adverts for cat food make them sound like gourmet meals and you can buy cat backpacks to take your furry ball of cuteness on walks with you – and this is not the most bizarre accessory now available. We see the fliers pinned up on lampposts when cats go missing, the neighbourhood social media groups will call everyone to search for the one that has become lost – we understand the desire to search and search – because that one individual cat is special to its owner. We get the love of cats. I wonder if thinking that God loves us like the cat lover loves their cat might be a more helpful analogy, maybe? And let’s be honest the previously mentioned characteristics of cats are strikingly similar to humans – especially in our increasingly individualistic society. It would be an interesting exercise to see how far this updated cultural reference might appeal to people. How this translation of an idea might bring to life some of the teaching Jesus was trying to do using sheep as the analogy.
Why don’t you have a go rereading the parable of the lost sheep imagining a lost cat instead? If you have a go let me know how you get on!
[Jesus said] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me”
John 10:14
News and Upcoming Events
Edge will be starting again this Sunday 21st April 5.30-7pm at church. I would really love someone to come join us on the team. I lead every fortnight but I could do with an extra helper once a month – which means only 3 sessions and a summer party this term. If you feel you would be able to help please let me know. We have a lovely group of 12 young people who come regularly and they are a joy to spend an evening with so please don’t be shy about coming to join us!
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 on our Patronal Festival (that’s a fancy term meaning we are St Philip’s Church so St Philip’s Day is special to us!) 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. Please do make it a plan to join us that Sunday – and to pray for good weather!
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.
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.
Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week:
Let the grass grow under your feet! As daisies, dandelions, buttercups bloom why not leave the mowing for a few days more and allow the pollinators time to enjoy these flowers.
Last Week’s sermon
Last two weeks of sermons if you want to catch up: sermon.14.4.24.mp3
The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive
This Sunday 21st April – Easter 4
8.30am – Reflective Holy Communion our readings will be Psalm 23 & John 10:11-18
10.30am – All Age Worship this Sunday we’ll be thinking about what it means to be gathered into the fold
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 – Sadly Judi needs to undergo her pacemaker operation again. Please pray that God will protect, comfort and heal her and Jim as they face this disappointment and worry.
Tracee & Lee – Tracee is undergoing her operation on 24th April please pray for God to hold her and Lee in peace as the time approaches and for speedy healing afterwards.
Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:
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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