“Heave Ho 1-2-3, raise the anchor and out to sea, up with the sail and away we go, riding the waves with a Yo Ho Ho”

This is the earworm that has been in my head all week as over 40 children, young people and adults came together to celebrate Holiday Bible Club. Together we told the story of Jonah and the Whale, with song, dance, drama and craft. It has been such a joyous week and although there were tired limbs and voices at the end of Friday there was also a firm knowledge that we had held each other and been held by God. Jonah runs away from the task God asks of him, but after waves and whales he is gently guided back to Ninevah where he had a message of God’s love to tell people and with that lives were changed.

This week we join together again for our benefice service at St Marys at 10am. One of the readings is taken from Pauls letter to the Romans and it is this scripture that has been central to my own understanding of the God of mercy that Jonah came to understand. “Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ”. At times when high winds and stormy weather I have known these words to speak a deep Christian truth – that God remains constant, steady and present. God never deserts us, but holds, corrects, challenges and loves us through all time and all things.

I am deeply grateful for this past week and for this passage from Romans. I hope and pray it is as transformative for you all as it has been for me.

Services this Sunday – 30^th July 2023

8am – Holy Communion – All Saints

10am – Sung Holy Communion Benefice Service – St Marys

The Week Ahead

Wednesday 3^rd August – 9am – Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints

Thursday 4^th August – 10am – Holy Communion – St Marys

Saturday 5^th August 12.00 – 2pm –Saturday Lunches – St Marys

Sunday 6^th August 10.00 – Creative Church – St Marys

10.30 Holy Communion All Saints

6.30pm – Evensong St Marys

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen

Blessings

Lizzie