Benefice
Newsletter
21 May 2020
If there is one good thing coming from this lockdown, it is that we are being forced to part with some of our old ways and find new paths. Two months ago people kept repeating "when we return to normal..." I don't know about you, but I don't say and hear this adage anymore. I hope it is because while adapting to a changing world we have made our own fresh achievements, we treasure them, and want to make them part of a new normal.
You have been very good at responding to the changes and challenges. To those familiar with current technologies it must have been a breeze to switch to online communication. Some struggled a bit, but then they taught themselves or others stepped in to teach them what to do. So keep on reading and contributing to the newsletter and the magazine, please, and catch us on Youtube at the next online Prayer and Praise!
Agnes
On Thursday we celebrate Ascension Day, in normal circumstances we would, I hope, have had a joint benefice Eucharist to celebrate this major feast in the church year. Sadly, this is not possible under current circumstances. After Jesus ascended to heaven the disciples waiting for what we know as the gift of the Holy Spirit, we celebrate that great gift on the Feast of Pentecost in 9 days time on Sunday 31 May.
Our Archbishops, Justin and John, encourage us during this time to hold in prayer 5 people known to us who have yet to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. This initiative is called Thy Kingdom Come and has run globally for several years. The church provides resources for these prayers, these can be found on the link below:
https://www.thykingdomcome.global/resources/key-resources-2020
Thy Kingdom Come – words that we pray, I hope, every day. Words that speak of a significant time when earth will meet heaven and God’s kingdom will be on earth as it is in heaven. We all have a part to play in that bringing that event to pass and it starts small – it starts with prayer that people will come to know Jesus, that means it starts with us. So, can I encourage you in the days from now until Pentecost to pray every day – for the renewed gift of the Holy Spirit for ourselves and also to pray for 5 people you know who need that gift of the Spirit today.
May God bless you,
Would you like to be involved in our online Prayer and Praise worship? We are looking for volunteers of any age to read the collect or the lessons, or to say the intercessions. If you are ready to participate, please tell Rev Paula or Agnes (contact details at the bottom of this message).
Rev Paula, Cheryl Goddard, and I have started meeting live on Zoom at 8.30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays to say Morning Prayer together. We would be delighted for others to join us. For those without the technology, it is possible to listen to the service on a telephone. We are also looking into the possibility of meeting via Zoom to say Evening Prayer together – day and time not yet decided. If you are interested in either of these opportunities and would like further information, please phone me on 01933 226730.
Rev Christine
The record for the first hearing of the cuckoo now stands at 3 May. Can you topple Rev Christine from her position as record holder?
Caroline
A few weeks ago Caroline asked for riddles fit for a not-so-small child. The following was deemed maybe a bit too hard and better suited for someone older. Can you solve it?
You want to take 6 litres of water from a stream. You can only use a 9 litre bucket and a 4 litre one. How can you measure out exactly 6 litres with them?
Email me your answer, and if there is enough interest I will publish the solution and the names of those who got it right in a following newsletter.
Agnes
The Foodbank at the Daylight Centre, which we usually support, has reported a massive reduction in donations. If anyone would like to make a donation, Ian or myself will be happy to collect from your home and deliver to the Daylight Centre.
Please call Ian on 01933 274222 or Bob on 01933 383316 and we can arrange a time for collection.
Note: they do NOT need baked beans, pasta, pulses, tea bags, coffee, sanitary products, razors. However, they do accept financial donations to fund their ready meals service, and we can also collect them.
Ian and Bob A.
If you have any items for the next magazine, please get them to John (contact details at the bottom) by Sunday 24 May the latest. He will send out the June magazine still in electronic format.
Those who suffer in body, mind or spirit, among them: Geoff Mandeville.
The housebound: Ruth S, Doreen A, Margaret O, Diana B, Pat W.
All members of the Anglican Communion around the world: the Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Revd Justin Welby, and all the primates and bishops; members of the Anglican Consultative Council; the Secretary General the Most Revd Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon; the staff at the Anglican Communion Office in London and the UN offices in Geneva and New York. The Porvoo Churches – Exeter, Nord-Hålogaland.
If you would like to add a name to our prayer list, please first obtain the consent of the person you wish us to pray for. Then tell Revd Paula or Agnes at the Benefice Office whom to pray for and the reason why. A name remains on the list for three weeks.
Ian (phone 01933 274222) can help collect your shopping,
and he and Bob A. (01933 383316) collect Foodbank donations.
Northamptonshire Coronavirus Support Line for getting food, prescriptions and other services – call 0300 126 1000 / option 5.
Our own Prayer and Praise services online
List of churches with online services
Free worship phone line – call 0800 804 8044
For good mental health
For worship at home
For households with children: Faith at Home
Further resources from Peterborough Diocese