Benefice
Newsletter
24 February 2021
Have you made a list?
• People to hold and hug (and not let go)?
• Meals to cook and enjoy with friends and family?
• Places to visit?
• Holidays to book?
And have you booked an appointment at the hairdressers? While the Prime Minister was still speaking on Monday, I received a text from my hairdresser urging me to book a slot quickly… Has she seen my roots? Some of you will maybe need a barber to redeem your hair from your wife’s ministrations. Just saying.
Exciting. For some of us.
In the Gospel reading for Sunday the disciples of Jesus are in peak excitement. Jesus has just fed 5000 people. There are hints that they might be setting off for Jerusalem.
For sure the disciples have a list.
Places to see. People to visit. (Do not go to Jerusalem without visiting Auntie Ruth.) Governments to overthrow.
And Jesus says: ‘Are you coming with me?’
‘You’re kidding? I’m here! At your right hand!’
‘OK. Take up your cross, then’.
Long pause.
Shuffle back a few steps. Mutter to your mate.
‘What does he mean?’
What do you think? This is how the Message paraphrase of Mark chapter 8 verse 34 spells it out:
Calling the crowd
to join his disciples, he said, ‘Anyone
who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re
not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from
suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you
how.’
Gulp. Not what they imagined.To be continued on Sunday morning… Look forward to seeing you there on Zoom.
With love and prayers as always
Join us on Zoom on Sunday 28 February at 10:00.
Follow this link, or use meeting ID 857 2827 5187 and passcode 429612.
We will meet Thursday evenings at 19:30 on Zoom during Lent, to watch clips from the film The Greatest Showman (you don't have to watch the film in advance), think and pray. See the magazine for more information. If interested, you still have time to register by emailing Agnes.
Telephone 0800 804 8044. This is the Church of England helpline which offers tips and Bible Readings if you are experiencing difficulties sleeping. It comes highly recommended.
The Foodbank (Daylight Centre) needs donations of the following items:
- sugar
- bags of rice
- bags of noodles
- long life whole milk
- long life fruit juice - small cartons
- crackers
- Pasta 'n' Sauce
- Cup of Soup
- Mug Shot
- washing powder
If you can donate any items please contact Bob Allen or Ian Barrett (find their contact details below) who will arrange collection if you cannot deliver otherwise.
Those who suffer in body, mind or spirit, among them Sue P, Roger P, Richard H, Tim C, Kay G, Oliver D, Cedric G.
The housebound: Ruth S, Margaret O, Diana B.
The Church: Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America; the Porvoo Churches: Canterbury, Down and Dromore.
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 Rev Christine whom to pray for and the reason why.
Those whose anniversaries fall on this week: Richard Lane Felstead, Reginald Worley, Keith Tompkins, Joyce Mandeville, David John Coxall, Reginald Hill Carter, Leonard George Tyzack, Jennifer Lamperd, Joan Stoble, Elizabeth Tebbutt, Margaret Alice Charter, Kenneth Wallis, Henry Jewell, James Burton, James McClusky, Beatrice Margaret Rose Barrett, Eva Hornsey, Roy Brown, Marjorie Benge, Edwin Turnell, Lilian Croft, John McInnes, Elizabeth Hartwell, George Downes.