Speak Magazine for June/July 2024

Welcome

Welcome to the June / July 2024 edition of Speak magazine.

I can’t believe we have reached the middle of 2024. It is great to see all that is going on in the life of the Church. There are dates for you to take note of including Messy Church.

The front cover photo was taken at Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre on my recent trip to Paris! I hope you like it.

Vision statement

We are committed in love to worshipping God:

· By proclaiming the Gospel in word and action

· By encouraging growth

· By serving others

· By leading people into a personal relationship with Jesus.

Vicar: Revd David Page 01270 762415 vicar@stpeters-elworth.org.uk

Associate Minister: Revd Anthony Rigby anthony@stpeters-elworth.org.uk

Church Office: 01270 766557 / 762213 office@stpeters-elworth.org.uk

Contact Magazine deadline

The August edition of Speak will be an information sheet.

Articles for the September / October edition need to be submitted no later than Monday 12th July 2024. Prompt submissions by this date are requested via email to editor@stpeters-elworth.org.uk.

Thank you.

Bethany Jones Editor

David’s Page…

Equipped to Work Together

At the heart of any good team or organisation, there is something which binds it together and equips it to succeed. It may be a charismatic leader like Pep Guardiola at Manchester City or Bill Gates at Microsoft or it may be an organisational structure or club ethos. But there has to be something or someone there, especially when all looks lost, to equip the team to work together.

What was it that turned a few frightened fugitives locked away in a hideout into a force which would bring hope to the world for two millennia and is still active today?

The disciples of Jesus had seen the “defeat” of the Cross and the victory of the resurrection and now they are equipped through the Holy Spirit to be the people of Jesus and to do His will.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1 : 8

It would have been natural for Peter to think, “now that Jesus has gone back to heaven, it is my turn to lead and to be the central focus.” But Peter, The Rock, still remembered the teaching of Jesus from years earlier and he wasted no time putting it into action.

“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

Luke 9:1-2

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter healed a lame man and preached the Good News, and he did so with a Jesus – focussed humility, that even the religious leaders of his day recognised. That is what happens when we let the Holy Spirit empower us to share the Good News, we are a completely different team.

David’s Page continued

David’s Page continued

However, not everyone was happy with Peter and the Spirit filled team of disciples. The fact is, when God begins to work in his church, there is opposition. We can expect it, but opposition cannot stop the work of God, in fact, opposition makes it grow as Christians faithfully witness the healing of Jesus in a broken and lost world. What stops the church growing is when Christians do not focus on Jesus, they don’t witness for their faith, and they don’t rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Some think that the unique feature of the early church was their approach to money and possessions. It was certainly impressive and challenges our commitment to giving today. However, it seems that their willingness to practice radical sharing was the result of an even more impressive feature, unity.

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No-one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.”

Acts 4:32

Imagine what the church, you, me, and all of us could do today if we were one in heart and mind, one in Jesus and the Gospel message and one empowered by the Holy Spirit, to do the Father’s will. That would be a completely different team and that is our purpose, to be united and so share God’s message with the world today.

Church Prayer Meeting

With a growing church, and facing new challenges as David and Kate retire after many years of faithful service at St Peter's, I am sure that you will agree that the need for us to join together and seek the Lord's way collectively in prayer has never been more important. Also we need to be bringing to the Lord the increasingly complex needs we see around us both locally and internationally.

As a church, the prayer meeting is now meeting face to face again rather than on Zoom which has served us well during the Covid outbreak and the time following. Most feel this enables better communication. We meet once a month on the first Monday of the month at 7.30pm, usually in Room 1 in the Church Hall. Some people pray out loud, others quietly as they wish. There is no pressure. Feel free to come along and see for yourself on

Monday 3rd June and Monday 1st July.

You will be very welcome.

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:10-12

Norma Chapman

Services for June and July

Sundays 2nd, 16th, 30th

Sundays 7th, 21st July

Messy Church

Mental Awareness Week

13th –17th May

Since 2001, the Mental Health Foundation has been leading Mental Health Awareness Week - bringing together the UK to focus on getting good mental health. Each May, millions of people from every part of society take part.

Regular physical activity is known to improve mental health, quality of life, and wellbeing. It also helps prevent and treat heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and breast and colon cancer, and more. Despite these benefits being well established, over a third of UK adults do not meet the recommended amount of activity.

This lovely photograph was taken during our May visit to Elworth Grange. We were invited to ‘wear green’ by Suzy, the Life Style Manager, for their support of Mental Health Awareness Week.

It has been our pleasure during the past 18 months to be able to resume our visits to our local Residential / Nursing Homes, Turnpike Court, St Stephens Nursing Home and Elworth Grange.

We have joined with the residents once a month for a short service of Worship, celebrated the festivals, reconnected with familiar local and church families and made some delightful friendships.

From the registers

We welcome through baptism: Beau Michael Stephen and Barnaby Jay (Sons of Jamie Street and Charlotte Thatcher)

We welcome through thanksgiving: Rex James (Son of Mitchell and Miriam Astley)

We celebrate the marriage of: Timothy Dominic David Finn and Helen Glenys Smith

Anthony Charles Buchanan Jones and Abigail Victoria Davies

We join in sadness with the family of the late:

Annette Carney; Margery Conlon

Editorial disclaimer

Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this magazine, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. The Editors are responsible for content selection and reserve the right to amend articles and withhold items as deemed necessary. Articles submitted after the deadline date may not be included in that edition of the magazine and the Editors’ decision is final. Should you have any concerns regarding the content in the magazine or wish to submit an article for inclusion, please contact us by phoning the Church Office on 01270 762213 or email editor@stpeters-elworth.org.uk.

Bethany Jones, Editor

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