ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS, HAMSTALL RIDWARE

https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/4451/

July 25th 2021 : TRINITY 8

PARISH NOTICES

Service at Home reflection sheets are still being sent out because we know that a lot of people don’t yet feel safe in an environment with many other people. That is fine. There is no obligation to attend church in person until you feel safe. If you are on the mailing list for Sunday Service sheets, please print off and bring your own copy of the Readings sheet with you to services both at St Michael’s and the other churches in the United Benefice. Please remember that St Michael’s is still open every Sunday and Wednesday between 2 pm and 4.30 pm for individual prayer. Churchyard working parties are scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month – the next one will be on July 27th . We meet at 6 pm and carry on for a couple of hours – weather permitting! All welcome. Food Bank. Please do remember the Food Banks. They are needed now more than ever. If you wish to donate directly to Foodbank at Rugeley Community Centre the Centre is now only open for foodbank sessions i.e. 2.00 pm-4.00 pm Tuesdays and Fridays. Alternatively, the Rugeley Food Bank welcomes financial contributions – see https://rugeley.foodbank.org.uk Gifts can once again be brought to Church where they will be blessed before being distributed or they can be left in the porch at 17, Road, Hamstall Ridware WS15 3QG. Wherever such gifts are left they will be very welcome and will be taken to the Rugeley Foodbank each Tuesday. ‘Message in a Bottle Race’ – new date! See the details on page 3……. The Village Fête - preparations are under way for this important event on Saturday September 4th……..

UNITED BENEFICE SERVICE ROTA Hamstall Ridware Yoxall St Michael and All All Saints St Nicholas St Peter Angels July 25th 10.00 am 10.00 am Trinity 8 Holy Communion Holy Communion St James the Apostle August 1st 10.30 am 10.00 am Trinity 9 Holy Communion Morning Prayer August 8th 10.00 am 10.00 am Trinity 10 Holy Communion Holy Communion August 15th 10.30 am 10.00 am Trinity 11 Holy Communion Morning Prayer Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary August 22nd 10.00 am 10.00 am Trinity 12 Holy Communion Holy Communion August 29th 10.00 am Trinity 13 United Benefice Holy Communion

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St Nicholas, Mavesyn Ridware

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PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:

Those who are sick: Mary Mycock, Barbara Smith, Kathleen Leawood, Brenda, Angela Perkin, Doug, David and Barbara Rudge, May Windley, Dorothy and Pam Payne. Those who live and work in the Nursing, Care and Retirement homes in the villages both in and near the parishes of the United Benefice. For all of us as we move forward in the more relaxed regime of restrictions which came into effect on July 19th that everyone will be sensible and take care for themselves and others For everyone on holiday at this time that they may enjoy rest and relaxation in these difficult times For all those working in the NHS as they prepare for what is feared to be a difficult autumn and winter ahead For the Rev’d Jeremy as they enjoy a summer holiday that they may come back refreshed and ready for the next steps in their and our lives *******************

Since 1982, the Arthur Rank Centre at Stoneleigh has been providing training in mission, ministry and leadership for lay and ordained rural church leaders from across the denominational spectrum. Throughout the periods of lockdown it has been supplying useful material each week for payer and reflection. It is to be hoped that their optimism that now is the time to stop providing this as the COVID 19 restrictions are mostly lifted and we can mix much more freely both with fellow-Christians and others, is not misplaced. Prayer by Revd Suzan Williams, Head of Rural Ministries New Wine: I lay my head to rest, and in doing so, lay at your feet the faces I have seen, the voices I have heard, the words I have spoken, the hands I have shaken, the service I have given, the joys I have shared, the sorrows revealed, I lay them at your feet, and in doing so lay my head to rest. Amen Reflection on the experiences of the pandemic from Revd Dr Benjamin Aldous, Principal Officer for Mission and Evangelism, Churches Together in …… What keeps coming back to me is the idea that the pandemic has been apocalyptic. It has revealed how things really are. Our vulnerability as human beings, our frailty and innate weaknesses. It has revealed the gross inequalities that exist around race, gender and economic parity. It has revealed who is most key to keep society going: not bankers and managers but hospital workers, those stocking supermarket shelves, those who empty our bins. It’s made us as the church ask some important questions about who we have been serving and who we should be serving. It is potentially the most important re-set since the Second World War. …….and from Revd Dr Mark Betson on reading Luke 7:18-23: One of the insights COVID-19 has brought to my reading of scripture is where the disciples of John ask Jesus ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus does not say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ but asks them based on what they see, not what they think. Vaccinations are incredibly important in the fight against COVID but they are not simply the answer; it is our ongoing behaviour, particularly how we react to new freedoms while many remain vulnerable, that points towards salvation.

******************* Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. If you have any concerns please speak in complete confidence to the Parish Safeguarding Officer Dr Paul Carter 01889 504347 or the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser Mr Neil Spiring 01543 306030.

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From the Lichfield Diocese Prayer Diary:

In its prayer tour of the Diocese the compilers of the Prayer Diary are concentrating on the different Deaneries as they face the challenges of resources highlighted by Shaping for Mission and other aspects of life which affect them in particular. This week the focus is on the Wolverhampton Deanery and for Area Dean, Revd David Wright. From the weekly cycle of prayer, I have selected this date in particular: Friday 30th: (William Wilberforce, Social Reformer and Anti-Slavery Campaigner 1833) Pray for Debbie Huxton, a Modern Slavery Campaigner, employed by Transforming Communities Together and funded by Lichfield Diocese Mothers’ Union; encouraging churches across the Diocese to create communities that are safe for all and where everyone can thrive and flourish.

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