A very warm welcome to all
Pentecost 12
Readings: Proverbs 25: 6-7; Hebrews 13: 1-8, 15-1
Gospel: Luke 14: 1, 7-14
Today’s Gospel
The “right” people will be at God’s banquet. They will be everyone who responds to God’s invitation. The poor and the outcast will be seated next to Jesus instead of the dignitaries, and people of position and prominence. We must not erect social barriers that keep some people from joining us at God’s table. The less fortunate in our society need both our natural gifts and the dignity that comes with being acknowledged. They need the gift of our friendship, and we need them as well. At this point in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. Along the way, he is showing the disciples who God is and how they are to live a life that reflects a hospitable God. He is teaching us the same lessons today. Are we learning the lesson.
Great Dames
Today, at 4pm, the ‘Great Dames’ will perform a wide variety of repertoire for two sopranos. All are welcome. Entrance is free but as always, any donations would be most welcome.
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.
Reredos
I continue to consider 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. I have heard varying opinions on the subject, some in favour, some not. I have also heard opinion on the replacement of the large cross above the altar with the smaller brass cross. This has been in-situ for several weeks now. It is good to hear opinion from as many of you as possible. Please be assured, these proposed adjustments are suggestions. I am eager to enhance the beauty of our church, but also to maintain and promote as many of the original features as possible. Change of any kind is a fine line and not everyone will be in favour. However, as Rector I need to maintain a strategic overview of where we will be in, say, five years time, and with this in mind I ask everyone to be as open to some changes that will have a long-term benefit for St Mary’s.
Five-Year-Plan
Speaking of where we might be in five years time, it is incumbent upon me and our Vestry to now consider a five-year-plan. This was discussed at General Synod and it will be a requirement for each charge and diocese to produce such a plan. With this in mind, I would like to form a strategic planning group, which I shall chair, to tentatively begin the process of evidence gathering and terms of reference. Should anyone, either in the Vestry Committee or St Mary’s congregation be interested in becoming part of this group, would you please let me know. It is important that we are able to harness the skills and vision required to produce this plan.
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, I am 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.
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.
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 the 14th 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 28th August 2022
Sunday 28th August at 8 am – Said Eucharist (1970 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 28th August at 10 am – Pentecost 12 – Sung Eucharist (1982 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 28th August at 4pm – ‘The Great Dames’ A repertoire for two Sopranos
Monday 29th August – Cn Terry – Day off
Tuesday 30th August at 10am – Morning Prayer (Cn Terry)
Wednesday 31st August at 10am – Holy Communion (1970 – Cn Terry)
Friday 2nd September at 6pm – Compline (Cn Terry)
Sunday 4th September at 8 am- Pentecost 13 – Holy Communion (1970 Cn Terry)
Sunday 4th September at 10 am- Pentecost 13 – Sung Eucharist (1982 – Cn Terry)
Readings: Deuteronomy 30: 15020; Psalm 1; Philemon 1-21
Gospel: Luke 14: 25-33
“It is best to rise from life as from a banquet, neither thirsty nor drunken”
(Aristotle)
Cn Terry Taggart:
01224588776/07768219984