‘Commit your way to the Lord and trust in him‘
A very warm welcome to all
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
Readings: Genesis 45: 3-11, 15; Psalm 37: 1-12, 41-42; 1 Corinthians 15: 35-38, 42-50
Gospel: Luke 6: 27-38
In today’s Gospel
Love. It is a word that has become lost in the morass of cliché and overuse. It’s hard to talk in a meaningful way about it because the word has been emptied of so much of its meaning. We love those shoes, or we simply love eating blueberries in summer, we love our spouse and we love our friends. It’s a catch all word that refers to a whole lot of things at once Often when I find the word on my lips, I feel that it is inadequate. For a preacher, this is a problem. Jesus knows this and when he talks about love he speaks about love in the form of a verb. It is something we do, it is a way of life, a way of being. Jesus in today’s passage gives us concrete examples of what love looks like in its purest form. He gives us a clear guide on how to love the way God loves the world.
Repair & Refurbishment Project
Please be very careful around the current scaffolding we have in place, especially if you are using the pathway at the side of the church.
Vestry Meeting
There will be a Vestry meeting this Wednesday the 23rd of February commencing at 7.30pm in the Choir Vestry. The minutes of the last Vestry meeting have already been circulated by email. All apologies please, to me at your earliest convenience.
Diocesan Synod
Our Diocesan Synod will take place via Zoom next Saturday (the 26th). I have been nominated, proposed and seconded to be the Diocesan Synod Clerk, and there being no overwhelming opposition, I will take up that role after Synod.
Next Sunday
Next Sunday (the 27th) Fr Roger will preside. We will also have a Choral Evensong commencing at 6pm. Please put this in your diary and come if you are able, why not bring a friend.
Advisory Group Update
The following is an extract taken from the most recent update from the Provincial Advisory Group re Ash Wednesday and ‘imposition of Ashes’. ‘The Group is aware that the beginning of Lent is approaching and has considered the question of the imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday. If a church wishes to offer imposition of ashes, a local judgement needs to be made on how to do this safely. There are options that a cleric/church might consider. Face coverings must be worn by all coming to receive ash and by the person imposing. The person imposing ash might sanitise the fingers being used between each imposition, noting that this might be clumsy and messy given the use of the ash. Dry ash (which is often used anyway) could help. If the person imposing ash does not wish to sanitise between each imposition a little ash could be offered for each person to impose on themselves whilst a prayer is said. If there is anxiety about any public health or liturgical aspect of imposition, it is entirely appropriate for a church to omit imposition of ash. The regimen we are now entering is one where, after following remaining hard requirements like face coverings, common sense should be used to manage the mitigation of virus spread.’ I will of course take further advice re this but in the intervening period I would be happy to hear opinion.
Dates for your diary
The following are some dates for your diary:
Wednesday 2nd March – Ash Wednesday: There will be two services of imposition of Ashes: 10am and 7pm.
Friday 4th March at 2.30 at MidStocket Church of Scotland – World Day of Prayer
Fundraising Events
The following is a direct link to our fundraising events calendar should you be interested in what is happening in the coming months. https://stmaryscardenplace.org.uk/social-fundraising-calendar/
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
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.
Peace/Therapy Garden
I continue to draw you attention to our proposals for the Peace/Therapy Garden at the front of the Church. We have obtained some samples of ideas re what the garden could look like, and we (The Vestry) would value your opinion on what your preference might be. Please take some time to click on the following link where all will be revealed.https://stmaryscardenplace.org.uk/notices/west-end-garden-project/
Services/Events at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral w/c Sunday the 20th February 2022
Sunday 20th February 2022 at 8am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry – 1970)
Sunday 20th February at 10 am 7th Sunday after the Epiphany Sung Eucharist (Cn Terry 1982)
Monday 21st February – Cn Terry – Day off
Tuesday 22nd February at 10 am – Morning Prayer (1982 – Cn Terry)
Wednesday 23rd February at 10 am – Said Eucharist (1970- Cn Terry)
Wednesday 23rd February at 7.30pm – Vestry Meeting
Friday 25th February at 6pm – Compline
Saturday 26th February 9am – 4pm – Diocesan Synod
Sunday 27th February at 8 am – Holy Communion (1970 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 27th February at 10 am -Sunday next before Lent – Sung Eucharist (1982 -Fr Roger Presiding – Cn Terry Preaching)
Sunday 27th February at 6pm – Choral Evensong
“Assuredly there is but one way in which to achieve what is not merely difficult but utterly against human nature: to love those who hate us, to repay their evil deeds with benefits, to return blessings for reproaches. It is that we remember not to consider men’s evil intention but to look upon the image of God in them, which cancels and effaces their transgressions, and with its beauty and dignity allures us to love and embrace them.”
(John Calvin)
Blessings Always
Rev Canon Terry Taggart
01224588776/07768219984