Tenth Sunday after Trinity
St Mary’s and St Andrew’s Worshipping Together
A very warm welcome to all
Readings: 1 Kings 19: 4-8; Psalm 34: 1-8; Ephesians 4: 25-5:2;
Gospel: John 6: 35, 41-51
In today’s Gospel
“I am the bread of life,” Jesus said, not once but twice. “I am the bread of life.” When was the last time you ate the bread of life? I’m not asking about the Holy Eucharist because I don’t think that is what Jesus is talking about in today’s gospel. I’m not denying that the Eucharist can be and is bread of life but maybe it’s just one slice in a larger loaf of bread. Maybe the bread of life is the Eucharist and more than the Eucharist. Maybe you and I are to become the bread of life, just like Jesus.
“I am the bread of life,” Jesus said, not once but twice. “I am the bread of life.” When was the last time you ate the bread of life? I’m not asking about the Holy Eucharist because I don’t think that is what Jesus is talking about in today’s gospel. I’m not denying that the Eucharist can be and is bread of life but maybe it’s just one slice in a larger loaf of bread. Maybe the bread of life is the Eucharist and more than the Eucharist. Maybe you and I are to become the bread of life, just like Jesus.
Update from the Province
The SEC Advisory Group has met this week to take stock of the First Minister’s announcement on Tuesday, 3 August 2021. In that announcement, she confirmed that with effect from Monday 9 August, Scotland will move “beyond level 0” in the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework. In general, the move entails the lifting of most of the remaining legally imposed restrictions. I have circulated an email with the full details therein to as many of you as possible, however, should you wish any clarification, do not hesitate to contact me. However, the key issues are as follows:
- The restrictions regarding physical distancing and the limits on the size of social gatherings are removed. This means that for churches there will no longer be a legal requirement to maintain 1 m social distancing. We assume, but have not had confirmation that this will also mean that the requirement to display the maximum Physical Distance Based Capacity will no longer apply.
- The law will continue to require the wearing of face coverings in indoor public places. Consequently, the wearing of face coverings in church continues to apply (that likewise applies for congregational singing).
- Churches continue to be encouraged to maintain a record of contact details for those attending services.
- Government generally encourages the continuation of measures to mitigate risks including maintaining good hygiene, practising respiratory hygiene, ensuring good ventilation, getting vaccinated and continuing to engage with Test and Protect.
- Given the removal of restrictions on numbers meeting households, church house groups and other similar bodies will be able to resume.
Poem Competition
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 (although some flexibility will be allowed) 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) where there is also an opportunity to note what the donation is for, 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
The Blessed Virgin Mary’s Day – 15th August
Sunday the 15th of August (next week) 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 program. 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.
‘Get together at Old Deer’
After the recent success of the previous get-together at Ellon, we are now encouraged to get together for a Holy Communion and Picnic. On Saturday 28 August: Meeting at St Drostan’s, Old Deer – gathering from 10.30 am, for start at 11.00 am After opening prayers, there will be a short pilgrimage to Old Deer Monastery. We will hold an open-air Eucharist in the monastery grounds, Bishop Anne presiding. After this, we will picnic together.
Services/Events at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral w/c Sunday the 8th of August 2021
- Sunday 8th August at 8 am – Said Holy Communion (Cn Terry-1970)
- Sunday 8th August at 10 am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry – 1982)
- Monday 9th August – Cn Terry – Day off
- Tuesday 10th August at 10 am – Morning Prayer
- Wednesday 11th August 10 am Holy Communion (1970) (Cn Terry)
- Friday 13th August at 10 am – Pre-Recording Sunday Service
- Sunday 15th August at 8 am – Holy Communion (1970) (Cn Terry)
- Sunday 15th August at 10 am – Sung Eucharist – Patronal Festival (1982) (Cn Terry)
“From the Eucharist comes the strength to live the Christian life, and zeal to share that life with others”
Pope John Paul II
Blessings Always
Rev Canon Terry Taggart
01224588776/07768219984