Dear all,
As we continue our journey through James we reach his words on wisdom and before we even begin to explore what Godly wisdom is in this chapter – and how we seek Godly wisdom we need to establish what wisdom is. Because I think we frequently make the mistake of confusing or indeed conflating wisdom and knowledge. Knowledge is that brain expanding, fact building, information gathering activity which – let’s be honest - in our city of Cambridge is a highly prized attribute! But wisdom is more than knowledge, indeed it isn’t necessarily reliant on knowledge, it grows out of experience, observation, empathy, perspective amongst others, it is an understanding that is richer than simply knowing. My favourite example to show this distinction is that wonderful phrase “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad...”
Now this distinction may not seem to be very profound but it is actually important to be reminded I think. Especially living in the city in which we live. We are all surrounded by incredibly knowledgeable people and, whether we are conscious of it or not, there is tendency to defer to those who have proven their extensive knowledge by collecting letters after their name. But we can be guilty of it in church circles too – one of the disadvantages of know Jesus to be the living *Word* and having scripture so easily available for us all to read is that we are at the risk of beginning to value knowledge of God’s word and knowledge of the Bible over Godly wisdom in the faith. Knowledge of scripture is great – don’t misunderstand me - but we need to be careful that the knowledge we gather is feeding the wisdom we are called to seek. Wisdom which is reached by opening ourselves to God’s heart, acknowledging that God’s way might be better than our way, allowing ourselves time with God’s Spirit so that we can be moved, changed, inspired and instructed. Jesus of course came, as a man, to show us humans how to do this work so that we can - as James exhorts us to do:
*“Draw near to God”* and know that *“he will draw near to you” James 4:8*
I wonder who are the wise people of faith you could seek to spend time with and learn from? How do they draw near to God which might help you to draw near to God too?
*News and Upcoming Events*
*Saturday 21st September – 9.30am till after lunch – Walk from Waterbeach Station to Ely *The Men's Group are planning this social walk to Ely Cathedral, arriving in Ely for lunch and a visit to the cathedral. We are happy to open it to anyone who is interested but bearing in mind that it's about 12 miles so requires good basic fitness. Contact Martin if you are interested.
*Tuesday 24th September – 6pm – Interfaith gathering at Cambridge Gurdwara *if you have a heart for interfaith and community connections you are warmly invited to attend this event where everyone will be invited to consider the theme of “spiritual guides”. More information can be found here https://app.donorfy.com/form/P2VFRGBDA0/NIPGE
*Friday 27th September – 1.30-3pm – Warm Spaces Macmillan Coffee “morning” *Our usual Friday afternoon will receive extra cake next week as we raise funds for Macmillan cancer care. If you’d like to donate a cake or come buy a cake to join us. Speak to Peter Andrews or Ruth for more information.
*Friday 27th September – 10-4pm - Little Giddings Quiet Day *“Here I am” Exploring the sense of life-long calling with Revd Fiona Brampton. To book a place contact Fiona via email revfiona@norleigh.org.uk
*Saturday 28th September – 10.30-4pm Harvest Workshop at St Martin's Church* A day of workshops & worship for people with learning disabilities, their families or support staff.
*Sunday 29th September – Harvest Festival at St Philip’s Church - 10.30am – *Please do consider bringing food products to the service to donate to The Edge Café Food Hub and Community Fridge
*Saturday 5th October – 10am-1pm – Quiet Morning at St John’s Church, Hills Road *Organised by members of the Cambridge Month of Accompanied Prayer Team this will be a time to listen to God and be in God’s presence. Please email cambsprayer@gmail.com to book a place of find more information.
*Monday 14th October – 7.30pm – The Round Church, Cambridge* – Cambridge Apologetics lecture “A Racist, sexist, violent God?” Wrestling wisely with the Old Testament. Speakers will be Ellidh Cook and Matt Lillicrap. There will be another event coming up on *11th November* exploring Tolkien, his world view and his creation of Middle-earth.
*Garden working party – Stan’s House * As is inevitable - because plants grow – we need organise another working party to bring a measure of order back to the garden of 13 Thoday Street. If you are interested in helping out please speak to Jim Griffiths so we can arrange a time suitable for all.
*Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: *
Apparently, September is the best time to put up bird boxes. So if you have always wanted one (or like us have been given one and haven’t put it up yet!) now is the time to make it happen. If you would like tips on best positioning and the dos and don’ts on bird boxes the British Trust for Ornithology has some helpful tips: Putting up a nest box https://www.bto.org/how-you-can-help/providing-birds/putting-nest-boxes-birds/putting-nest-box
*Last Week’s sermon*
Last week’s sermon beginning our series on James: sermon 15.9.24.mp3 http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-09-15%20-%20Michael%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.
*Please pray for our Mission Partner this month:*
*Tearfund* – Tearfund is a Christian charity which partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. They tackle poverty and injustice through sustainable development, by responding to disasters and challenging injustice. Tearfund believes that an end to extreme poverty is possible.
*Services this week 22nd -28th September*
*Sunday:*
*10.30am – Holy Communion with Explorers – *this week we move to James 3:13-4:8 and Mark 9:33-37 when we will be thinking more about wisdom.
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 16th October)
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*