3rd Sunday after Epiphany
St Mary’s and St Andrew’s Worshipping Together
A very warm welcome to all
Readings:
Jonah 3: 1-5, 10; Psalm 62: 6-14; 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31; Gospel: Mark 1: 14-20
Our Gospel reading today
Our Gospel reading today hears Jesus make the public announcement that “The time has come”, “The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent, and believe the good news”. These words are spoken after Jesus hears that John the Baptist is now in prison, and are understood to be, according to scholarship, the first recorded words of Jesus as he announces his ministry. He then calls Simon and Andrew, James and John, and they immediately drop everything to follow Him. Try to imagine that! No argument, no discussion about ‘terms and conditions’, they just gave up everything and followed Him. We are constantly being called, because once is never enough. Some of us are deaf to God’s call, some of us hear him but pay no heed, some of us resist his call and rebel against it, and some submit completely, without question. Whatever category we fall into, the ‘still, small voice’ continues to call us. All we need to do is listen, and follow Him.
St Andrew’s Extraordinary General Meeting
There will be an Extraordinary General Meeting for St Andrew’s congregation, via Zoom, on Sunday 31 January at 1pm. The meeting will be concerned with revising the Constitution. St Andrew’s congregation are encouraged to attend.
St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral AGM
St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place via Zoom on Sunday the 7th of February, commencing at 1230 pm. Even though we may well be experiencing lockdown, I fully intend to ensure that the AGM will go ahead as planned. I will endeavour to circulate the necessary correspondence prior to that date. Watch this space and our website, https://stmaryscardenplace.org.uk/ for further updates.
LayRep and Alternate Lay Rep posts
The roles of Lay Rep and Alternate Lay Rep are posts that are open, annually, to any member of St Mary’s Congregation who wishes to put their names forward. The positions are currently occupied by Dr Nicola Mills (Lay Rep), and Dr Elizabeth Smyth (Alternate Lay Rep), who, if unopposed, are happy to continue. Should anyone put their name forward for either role, then this will require a ballot to take place at the AGM. If anyone wishes to know more about the Lay / Alternate Lay Rep positions, please let me know. Normally I would be placing a sheet in the Church for anyone who wishes to put their name forward, however, due to the current lockdown situation, this will not be possible. Therefore I would also ask that you contact me via this medium and I will maintain an electronic list should it be required. It is also incumbent upon me to ensure that this information reaches as many of those who are on the St Mary’s Congregational role as possible, so if you know of anyone who should be aware of this information and is not receiving newsletters, would you please let me know at your earliest convenience.
St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral website
On the subject of our website, St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Communications Group is interested in finding out what you think about it. We constantly endeavour to keep it fresh and updated with interesting news items and images, and we would welcome any ideas or submissions you might wish to contribute. We are also keen to hear your comments regarding what else we could put on to the website and if there is anything else we could do to improve the content. This is your website, and it is important that we ensure we are telling our story and sharing it as widely as possible. Please let me know through the normal channels what ideas you have and I will make a point of raising them at one of our regular monthly meetings.
Cancellation of Ecumenical Service Sunday 24th January
The proposed Ecumenical Service that was planned for this Sunday evening (24th January) has unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the current restrictions. This would have been the culmination of the Week for Christian Unity; however, we must hold it in abeyance until another more appropriate opportunity arises.
Online Morning and Evening Prayers
Whilst we remain in lockdown, I shall endeavour to provide some online Morning and Evening Prayer. These prayers will vary in style and content, including input from Celtic, Anglican and Scottish Prayer books. If you have a specific prayer that is especially important to you, please let me know and I will incorporate it into one of our sessions. Some of the prayer time may be live, or pre-recorded, so please look out for announcements on Face-book and the Diocesan website at https://aoepiscopal.scot
Thank you for your stamps!
A big ‘Thank You’ is extended to all those who saved their used stamps and donated them accordingly. I shall make sure that they are forwarded to the appropriate person for further processing.
Pre-recorded Holy Communion Services
The pre-recorded Holy Communion services for this Sunday and next, at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, will see Bishop Anne presiding. I will participate in these services, however, should anyone from St Andrew’s or St Mary’s wish to assist by reading scripture or preparing and reading intercessions, would you please let me know at your earliest convenience.
Zoom Brunch
Our ‘Zoom Brunch’ continues every Sunday at 1230 pm, the link to which is provided within the group email containing this newsletter. If you haven’t yet joined us, please drop in if you can. It’s very informal and lasts for about 45 minutes to an hour, and it’s a really good opportunity to catch up with friends and local news etc.
Diocesan Newsletter
The Diocesan Newsletter is now available online and can be found at https://aoepiscopal.scot/diocesan-newsletter-20-january-2021/ There is also some very useful information regarding an online Lent course which you may wish to join. I commend it for your future attention.
Services/Events at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral week commencing Sunday 24th January 2021
Sunday the 24th of January at 12.30 pm – Sunday Brunch via Zoom
Tuesday the 26th of January at 7pm – Celtic Evening Prayer live broadcast via Face-Book
Wednesday the 27th of January at 11 am – Morning Prayer live broadcast via Face-Book
Thursday the 28th of January at 11 am – Morning Prayer live broadcast via Face-Book
Friday the 29th of January at 10 am – Pre-recording of Sunday Eucharist service at St Mary’s
Sunday the 31st of January at 9.55 am – Pre Recorded Eucharist Service from St Mary’s
Sunday the 31st of January at 12.30 pm – Sunday Zoom Brunch
‘Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold’
(Proverbs 3: 13-14)
Blessings Always
Rev’d Canon Terry Taggart
Rector