Seventh Sunday after Trinity
St Mary’s and St Andrew’s Worshipping Together
A very warm welcome to all
Readings: Jeremiah 23: 1-6; Psalm 23; Ephesians 2: 11-22
Gospel: Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56
In today’s Gospel
As we listen to our Gospel reading today we discover that when Jesus looks at you and I, he has compassion for us. He feels our pain, our sorrow, our frustration, and our worry. He suffers with us in our broken relationships, our need to make ends meet, and our deep desire to be right with God. He sees us running around like sheep without a shepherd, and he calls to us to walk with him, as he walks with us.
Poem Competition
You will recall that I proposed a short poem competition. What I would like to do is keep some sort of fund-raising activity on the go which could be entered on our website, as was previously the case with our very successful photograph competition. So, in view of that I propose the following: from today’s date until Sunday the 17th of October, when we shall celebrate the Harvest Thanksgiving, I challenge all of you to compose a short poem, no longer than 2 verses, between 4-6 lines per verse (all your own work). It can be about anything and not necessarily connected with the Church. Please send your entries to the church email address either via our website at www.stmaryscardenplace.org.uk or direct to the email address at stmaryscardenplace@gmail.com. As per our last competition, we ask for a donation of £2 per entry, and you can submit as many as you wish. Please either use the ‘Donate’ function at the foot of the website home page (preferred option) or speak to our Treasurer, Mrs Lydia Ross for alternative arrangements. I will assume (unless advised to the contrary) that everyone who submits an entry gives their permission to have it published on our website. The rules are also available via the homepage on St Mary’s Website.
Diocesan Newsletter
The Diocesan Newsletter is now available to download and view via the following link: https://aoepiscopal.scot/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Diocesan-newsletter-42-14-July-2021.pdf You can also access this link via the St Mary’s website.
Provincial Advisory Group update
The Provincial Advisory Group has revised its FAQs to take account of the reduced physical distancing requirement (1m), which will come into force from Monday the 19th of July The new edition is available at: https://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/Frequently-Asked-Questions-Version-9-July-2021-14.07.21.pdf
Guided Prayer Walk – Saturday 24th July
At 11am next Saturday the 24th of July, there will be a Guided Prayer Walk. This will commence from St Mary on-the Rock in Ellon (1 South Rd, AB41 9NP). There is sufficient parking space at the Church and the walk will be alongside the scenic River Ythan. The walk is in two parts; the first part being totally accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The second part involves some inclines and steps. No matter what your level of physical fitness and ability is, everyone should be able to participate. Further details can be obtained from me, just ask!
The Blessed Virgin Mary’s Day – 15th August
Sunday the 15th of August is The Blessed Virgin Mary’s Day; and therefore our Patronal Festival. In our continuing stewardship campaign, we propose to hold a ‘Gift Day’. Some of you may recall that this was initially introduced as a method to assist in our fundraising campaigns. Recently, we have asked our congregation to review their weekly/monthly/annual giving and to consider whether it could be increased. I would still urge you to do this if you haven’t already done so, but only if you can afford it. To those who have recently increased their giving, I am deeply grateful for your continued support and generosity. However, the proposed ‘Gift Day’ on August the 15th is another opportunity to make a gift donation to St Mary’s, which will be put towards our continuing Repair and Refurbishment programme. There will be more information forthcoming via newsletters and other material which I will soon distribute. The St Mary’s website will also provide some information soon.
Services/Events at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral w/c Sunday the 18th of July 2021
- Sunday 18th July at 8 am – Said Holy Communion (Cn Terry-1970)
- Sunday 18th July at 10 am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry – 1982)
- Monday 19th July – Cn Terry – Day off
- Wednesday 21st July 10 am Holy Communion (1970) (Cn Terry)
- Wednesday 21st July at 7.30 pm – Vestry Meeting
- Sunday 25th July at 8 am – Holy Communion (1970) (Cn Terry)
- Sunday 25th July at 10 am – Holy Communion (1982) (Cn Terry)
“There is one God and Father, one Only-Begotten Son, and one Holy Spirit. We declare each Person to be unique, and if we must use numbers, we will not let a stupid arithmetic lead us astray to the idea of many gods.”
(Basil of Caesarea)
Blessings Always
Rev Canon Terry Taggart
01224588776/07768219984