Dear all,
Do you ever get angry? Where do you take that anger? How do you manage it? Over the course of yesterday and last night, I think we witnessed a large percentage of the voting public in the UK expressing their anger at the (former) government in a decisive rejection of the Conservative party. It felt like the silent democratic expression of years of built-up anger and frustration as the results map of the country slowly turned red overnight!
But that was anger with a focus of perceived blame where there was something proactive people could do with their anger. Where do we take anger at events for which there is no conceivable explanation or no apparent individual or institution to blame and nothing we can do? This week *Mark Rodel* is coming to continue our Psalm Sermon Series and will be looking at Psalm 44. A Psalm that ends in anger, anger that is turned to God. The psalmist can see no reason for all the terrible things they are suffering – yet they know from their past or from what they have been taught of their nation’s past – that God is sovereign. God has control over all things. God can work miracles. So if they are suffering now, through no fault of their own or anyone else, then God - who could act but seemingly hasn’t - is the focus of their rage:
*“Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep?*
*Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.”*
*Psalm 44:23*
How do you feel about being angry at God? About using language that implies our Lord is a lazy, good for nothing who can’t be bothered to get out of bed and do anything helpful? It is quite shocking! But what an amazing expression of faith that the psalmist even believes that God is worth getting angry at. Only faith that God is *there* and *listening* can bring forth such raw and honest expressions of wrath. And engender an engagement with God even in the depths of their suffering.
And I believe this is what true faith looks like.
I don’t believe that true faith is the relentlessly serene, so holy they are hard to talk to, image of a Christian that a lot of us mistakenly hold to (even if it is unconsciously done). True faith is the belief that God is there no matter what and that God is worth getting angry with so that we can try to understand life better! Any relationship is only as deep as the deepest emotion shared. If we only take our mild-mannered selves to God then we will only ever have a mild relationship. But if we want a relationship with God that reaches to our very core then we need to go deeper and let God in. And sometimes that is going to involve us getting spitting mad at the stuff that goes on in this world and that God seems to allow.
*News and Upcoming Events*
**Saturday 13th July* - morning *Ruth will be running Safeguarding training covering (at least) Basic and Foundation modules. If you know that your training needs a refresher and you struggle to do the online courses on your own then this is the opportunity to fulfil those training obligations. All those on PCC and working with our children and vulnerable adults *must* complete these courses but they are actually very helpful for all of us to understand our group responsibility to maintain church as a safe place for all. Let Ruth know if you would like to join her and we will confirm timings with you.
*Sunday 14th July - St Philip’s will be providing a welcome tea for the first Cambridge International Summer Outreach team* If you are able to help by providing a little something towards the tea your generosity would be greatly appreciated! Perhaps some sausage rolls or finger sandwiches, a punnet of cherry tomatoes, a bag of crisps or some cupcakes or fruit for example. Michael and Barbara Priestley will be co-ordinating the gathering and transporting of the food to the venue please let them know in church next Sunday if you are able to help, even in a very small way, to providing a lovely welcome for the CIO volunteers.
*Sunday 21st July – 2.30-6pm – A Family Pilgrimage Afternoon at Little Gidding *Described as an afternoon of fun, faith, fresh air and food this is an opportunity to explore God’s world as a family. There will be storytelling, worship, walking and prayer stations. Please bring some picnic food to share for tea. For more information contact Rev Fiona revfiona@norleigh.org.uk (children must be accompanied by a parent or carer.)
*Toilet Refurbishment* these are progressing – thanks for bearing with us as various toilets have been out of action.
*Opportunities*
*We are looking to recruit a Music Missioner to join the team at St Philip’s – *someone who will lead us in worship and coordinate our missional outreach using their musical gifts. You can find the advert and Role Description on our website: Home - St Philip's Cambridge (stphilipschurch.org.uk) https://www.stphilipschurch.org.uk/ Please do spread the word and pray God brings us the right person to join our church family.
*Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: *
The City of Ely and Ely Cathedral are hosting a *Green Fair* Saturday 27th July 10am-4pm. This is the third annual Green Fair showcasing eco-friendly stalls selling home-made, locally produced artisan products, plus vegan specialities, local beers and ciders. You can also discover more about local environmental groups and how you can support them and enjoy live entertainment and demonstrations – all for free! Find out more at https://www.elycathedral.org/events/green-fair
*Last Week’s sermon*
Last week’s sermon: (sorry this wasn’t recorded but if you’d like a transcript drop Ruth a line)
The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/
*This Sunday 7th July*
*8.30am – Reflective Holy Communion*
*10.30am – All Age Worship *This Sunday Mark Rodel (Development Officer for Learning in Ely Diocese – who lead us in our Discerning Together process) is coming preach in our Psalms Sermon Series. He will be speaking about Psalm 44 and how it gives us permission to be angry at God sometimes!
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.
*Appointment of a new Bishop of Ely *the panel will be interviewing candidates between 10th-12th July. Please pray for wisdom for all involved in choosing who our next Bishop will be.
*General Synod *this is the top level of governance in the Church of England, made up of elected members of laity, clergy and bishops. Please pray for them as they meet *5th-9th July* and make all sorts of important decisions about the direction of the Church of England.
*The family of Cynthia Constable who sadly died last week. *Please continue to pray for Cynthia’s family especially as they prepare for her funeral which will be at Cambridge City Crematorium on Tuesday 16th July at 12 noon.
*Lucy Sixsmith *will be stepping down from her role as Parish Assistant at the end of July. We will be so sad to see her leave St Philip’s but please pray for her in this next season of life and please also pray for us as a church as we seek to reappoint someone to the role. If you would like to contribute to a leaving/thank you present for Lucy please get in touch with Ruth.
*Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:*
*Wycliffe Bible Translators* – Wycliffe’s vision is for a world where everyone can know Jesus through the Bible. And their mission to achieve that vision is to serve local partners worldwide as they bring God’s word to their communities in the language which speaks to them best. Our mission partners are Tim & Maggie Gaved.
*Regular Weekly Services/Prayers to join:*
*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
*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*