Dear all,

Happy St Philip’s Day! Well, it was St Philip & St James’ saints’ day on Wednesday so we are belatedly celebrating our patron saint this Sunday. A wonderful reason to celebrate our church, who we are and all that we do.

Presuming that “our” St Philip was Philip the Apostle (which is a big presumption - come on Sunday to find out more on that!) then I’ve found it really interesting that, although we don’t hear a lot about Philip the disciple, in two of those moments in which he is identified he seems to be important as a connector or a bridge between Jesus and others. We first hear of him when he goes and finds Nathaniel to bring him to Jesus and then later we hear Philip helps the Greeks from his home town of Bethsaida when they want to meet with Jesus. We’ll talk more about that on Sunday and exploring how he might be a role model for us. But I wanted to leave you with a thought this week about how we act as connectors or bridges between God and others. Not necessarily in a traditional missionary way of telling people about Jesus but in the way in which we allow our relationship with God to extend beyond ourselves. Perhaps through simply being known as the person in the office to go to if someone needs to talk or needs someone to trust. To be the neighbour who is known to faithfully notice and help out when someone else is in need. To be the one who says I can’t answer your questions about Jesus but why don’t you come with me and chat to…(whoever you think might have an answer!!). If people know we are Christians our very lifestyle, life choices and actions can provide connections and bridges for others to connect with God for themselves. Are there places in your life where you see yourself in this bridge role – perhaps you hadn’t realised or seen it as such till today? Are there places you would like to make that connection a more obvious one?

*“Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.” John 12:20-22*

*News and Upcoming Events*

*Sunday 5th May - St Philip’s Day Picnic *– After our celebratory service we will be having a picnic in the Vicarage garden. Bring a picnic and a rug or chair – and pray for good weather! (We will be in church if the weather is like today and absolutely atrocious!)

*Sunday 5th May – 11am-12noon - plant swap at St Barnabas. *People are invited to come to St Barnabas and take plants in exchange for a swap, or a donation.

*Sunday evenings at St Paul’s – 6pm - Inclusive Theology talks - *An opportunity to look at things differently. 12th May *Black Theology*, Revd Dr Carlton Turner – 19th May *Trauma Theology*, Dr Karen O’Donnell – 26th May* Disability Theology*, Dr Rachel Holdforth – 2nd June *Feminist Theology*, Hannah Fytche

*Weeding around the church* – a huge thank you to the team who tackled the weeds this week – your hard work is so appreciated.

*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.

*Thursday Small Group* – will now be meeting in the church Prayer Room at 7.15pm-8.45pm

*Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: *

Join a plant swap or go and see what you can pick up to grow yourself at home. *11am-12noon this Sunday 5th May - *people are invited to come to St Barnabas and take plants in exchange for a swap, or a donation.

*Last Week’s sermon*

Last week’s sermon if you want to catch up: sermon 28.4.24.mp3 http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-04-28%20-%20Michael%20-%20c.mp3

The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/

*This Sunday 5th May – Easter 6*

*8.30am – Reflective Holy Communion *Acts 10:44-end & John 14:1-14

*10.30am – All Age Worship *Celebrating St Philip’s Church and learning about St Philip!

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 went ahead this week and praise God she is home and recovering well. Please continue to pray for her recovery.

*Tracee & Lee* – Unfortunately this week Tracee was rushed back into hospital for emergency surgery which she very nearly didn’t make it through. Praise God she is still alive and recovering! Please pray for God to hold both Tracee & Lee in such a difficult time as they concentrate on Tracee’s recovery and come to terms with the fear they were living with this week.

*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:*

*CPAS* – Making Mission Possible

CPAS is an Anglican evangelical mission agency, who believe that the message of the gospel is relevant to all people, and that effective local church ministry is the key to seeing men, women, young people and children come to faith in Christ.

*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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*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*