A very warm welcome to all
Pentecost 7
Readings: Genesis 18: 20-32; Colossians 2: 6-15 (16-19
Gospel: Luke 11: 1-13
In today’s Gospel
While God can and sometimes does change circumstances, I am increasingly convinced that God, more often than not, changes us. God’s self-giving sustains, nourishes, strengthens, empowers, emboldens, and enables us to face the circumstances of life. We do so, sometimes with joy and gratitude, other times with pain and loss, but always with God. On my better days I know this and that’s enough. On those other days? It’s “Lord, teach me to pray.”
War in Ukraine
Please continue to offer prayers for our brothers and sisters caught up in the mayhem that is Ukraine. Please think about what you can do to help in any way for those who continue to reach out to the rest of Europe and beyond for our assistance. Whatever method or organisation you use to make donations, please do it rather than thinking about it.
Welcome
We welcome Bishop Anne as she presides at our Sung Eucharist this morning (Sunday), assisted by the Rev’d Cn Doris Westfall from Missouri, USA, who will be preaching.
Lambeth Evensong
The Lambeth Evensong will take place here at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral this evening at 5pm. We welcome a total of eight Bishops, five Episcopal Bishops from America, plus The Rt Rev’d Hugh Gilbert (RC), our Primus, The Rt Rev’d Mark Strange, and our own Diocesan Bishop, the Rt Rev’d Anne Dyer. There will also be a significant choir in place being directed by our Director of Music, Mr Matthew McVey. This is a significant event and I am sure we at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral will do all we can to make it so.
Recital
On Sunday the 31st of July at 4pm, there will be a recital of vocal music by Ms Claire Runcie. Claire has just finished her undergraduate studies at the University of Aberdeen and this recital will showcase some of her best pieces as well as her outstanding and versatile voice. Free entry, however, any donations on the door would be most welcome.
Patronal Festival
On Sunday the 14th of August it will be our Patronal Festival (transferred from the 15th). It will also be our annual Gift Day where we ask members of the congregation to consider making a further donation (on top of regular giving) to help with the financial commitments we undertake. Also on that day, Bishop Anne will preside and Bishop Dorsey McConnell (USA) will preach
Reredos
I am exploring the possibility of having the ‘Reredos’, which is currently situated above the Crypt Altar, being fixed above the High Altar here in the main body of the Church. If you are unfamiliar with the term ‘Reredos’, it is defined as an ‘ornamental screen or partition that is not directly attached to the altar table but is affixed to the wall behind it’. Please feel free to go down to the crypt to have a look at the Reredos I am referring to and let me have your feedback. There are some old black and white photos in the Choir Vestry showing a reredos in place here at St Mary’s.
Open Doors
On Saturday the 10th of September between 10am – 3pm inc, St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral will take part in the ‘Open Doors’ event in Aberdeen. This will mean that we will require people to volunteer some of their time to be here in the Church during the time frame stated above, to facilitate the use of toilet facilities and to offer some light refreshment. I will be placing a sheet up in the Choir vestry for those who are able to help out and what hour(s) they are prepared to be in church for.
Jewellery
As mentioned in previous weeks, we asking you to look through your jewellery boxes to see if you are prepared to part with something that you really haven’t used for years or maybe you just feel like donating something you have no further use of. Of course, it doesn’t have to be gold, it could be any type of jewellery that we might be able to sell on to a jewellers. Please speak to Fr Terry upon his return if you have anything to offer.
Coffee/Tea helpers
As I said last week, we have put the search for someone to look after a rota for helping with teas and coffee after our service ‘on the back burner’. Thanks to Mrs Gillian Rose, we now have a sheet displayed in our Choir Vestry with the dates of upcoming Sundays. Please take a look at it and if you are free, and willing to help, put your name on the list next to the date that is most convenient for you. It it probably useful to have two people on any particular date.
Vestry Vacancies
We have two vacancies on St Mary’s Vestry for Ordinary Members, and I would strongly urge those who feel that they could offer something to assist in the management of our Church to speak to me. Vestry membership is a rewarding role and provides an insight in to how we reach the decisions we do in our work here at Carden Place.
Reading Scripture
Our Peoples Warden Mr Iain Stewart has asked me to put out a call for more people to consider volunteering to read scripture and intercede at our worship. Should you feel so inclined, I encourage anyone who is considering this valuable ministry to approach Ian in the first instance.
All Saints : Holiday Club
All Saints : Holiday Club 17-20 Oct for those aged 4-11(inc P7) at St James, Holburn St. A joint project between St James, St John’s and St Mary’s. Please speak to Fr Roger if you are a young person who would like to come along or to have a conversation about volunteering.
Photography Competition 2022
Photography Competition 2022 : After the successful competition of last year 1st July marks the start of this year’s contest. We have until end of October to submit entries to Mr David Rose via the St Mary’s email address stmaryscardenplace@gmail.com There is no limit to the number of photos that you may enter but they have to be taken by you or a family member with their permission. The entry fee for each shot is £2 with those judged to be the best three receiving a prize. Photographs of people are not encouraged to avoid the requirement to obtain express written permission. For full details of Competition Rules (inc. how to pay, display, publishing and royalty rights) please see church website stmaryscardenplace.org.uk under ‘What’s On’.
Services/Events Commencing Sunday the 24th July 2022
Sunday 24th July at 8 am – Said Eucharist (1970 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 24th July at 10 am – Pentecost 7 Sung Eucharist (1982 – +Anne)
Sunday 24th July at 5pm – The Lambeth Evensong (+Anne)
Monday 25th July at 7pm – Holy Communion – James – Apostle (1982 – Cn Terry)
Tuesday 26th July at 10am – Morning Prayer (Cn Terry)
Wednesday 27th July at 10am – Holy Communion (1970 – Cn Terry)
Friday 29th July at 6pm – Compline (Cn Terry)
Sunday 31st July at 8 am- Pentecost 8 Holy Communion (1970 Cn Terry)
Sunday 31st July at 10 am- Pentecost 8 – Sung Eucharist (1982 – Cn Terry)
Readings: Ecclesiastes 1: 2, 12-14; 2: 18-23; Psalm 49: 1-11; Colossians 3: 1-11
Gospel: Luke 12: 13-21
“God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfil His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself”
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
Blessings Always
Cn Terry Taggart:
01224588776/07768219984