E-Newsletter St Mary's & St Michael's Parish of Shalford & Peasmarsh Week beginning 12th July
Bishop Andrew thanks you all
Dear friends,
It's a great joy to be able to open St Mary's church building again to all, every day, all day; and from last Wednesday in a small, safe, prayerful and moving way for worship physically present together. We'll also continue online, adding Sundays at 6 (pm) on youtube as live, with morning highlights and more for worshippers at home. As life begins to open up for many here, please continue to pray for all for whom this time remains one of lock-down (physically or emotionally), sickness, or fear, both here and across the world in India, USA and Brazil and other regions where coronavirus and all that goes with it remains desperate.
This week's newsletter is focused particularly on latest opportunities for virtual and physical inclusive worship wherever and however you are. We hope over the coming months, as the church continues to transform, that with you St Mary's opens for you God's abundant gifts of belonging, discipleship, support, life in community together... joy. Please get in touch at any time if St Mary's can serve your needs or hopes better, if there are ways you would like to be more involved as the church family, if we can pray for you or those you love.
This Sunday 12th July, 10.30am - tomorrow!
is 2nd Sunday Wild Young Worship outside in the new Woodland Chapel space in St Mary’s Churchyard. Mostly led by young and young at heart, very informal, short, humming only worship, socially distanced but full of joy as we praise God and let gifts fly.....please bring a homemade rainbow-coloured paper kite if you can - here’s the recipe: http://www.bigwindkites.com/20kids/20kidsmatlist.html All very welcome - but please be prepared to be standing, and with social distancing people may have to spread widely around the churchyard so please bear with us. Face masks optional. Sanitiser essential from the stations when you arrive & leave. Bring rug & your own coffee if you like
Worshipping online from wherever you are, or shielding at home? Every Sunday we hope, starting this Sunday 12th (if it works!), please join later in the day for St Mary’s Online Sundays at 6pm as live on St Mary’s Youtube channel, with recordings from the morning service and more. Find links also on our website on Sunday.
As we celebrate the gift of community physically and virtually together, today (11th July) we also celebrate the feast of St. Benedict of Nursia, the gentle founder of community through the Benedictine order and the father of Monasticism. As Malcolm Guite reminds us, St Benedict was a moderate and modest man, who would have been astonished to learn that his 'simple school for prayer', his 'modest rule for beginners' led to the foundation of communities which kept the Christian flame alight through dark times, preserved not only Christian faith, scripture, and culture but also fed the poor, transformed societies, promoted learning and scholarship, and today provides solace, perspective and retreat not only to monks and nuns but to millions of lay people around the world. In all the complexities and flux of life today, it's in simplicity, where we de-clutter and clear our sight, that we lay the ground for God's abundant blessings to take root, as Benedict....
You sought to start a simple school of prayer,
A modest, gentle, moderate attempt,
With nothing made too harsh or hard to bear,
No treating or retreating with contempt,
A little rule, a small obedience
That sets aside, and tills the chosen ground,
Fruitful humility, chosen innocence,
A binding by which freedom might be found
You call us all to live, and see good days,
Centre in Christ and enter in his peace,
To seek his Way amidst our many ways,
Find blessedness in blessing, peace in praise,
To clear and keep for Love a sacred space
That we might be beginners in God's grace. (Malcolm Guite) with love and prayers, Rev'd Sarah www.stmarysshalford.com
Bishop Jo's Sermon for Sunday 12th - Profligate Sowing
Sanctuary Mental Health Course.. & others..
Click picture above to watch introductory video. If people are interested, we have the opportunity to offer this course as one of our St Mary's small group courses starting in September. This 8 week course is designed for anyone who wants to explore more personally issues around faith & mental health. Each week the small group (it works well either via zoom or meeting together depending on what our group chooses), watches a film, and engages in conversation, reflection, and prayer. Topics explored from a psychological, social, and theological perspective include: Understanding mental health and illness; Challenging stigma; The recovery journey; Companionship; Self-care; The role of community in mental health. If you are interested in joining, promoting to all in the village, or helping to lead this course from September, please chat to Rev Sarah
Other potential St Mary's small group fellowship & courses coming soon: 1. Imaging the Story Faith & Arts course; Alpha Online potentially with Guildford ecumenical churches group or Wonersh church; Diddy Disciples for tiddly toddlers. Interested in helping or attending? Got other ideas? Please get in touch.
Shalford & Peasmarsh Community Support Update
...is hoping to develop into a permanent network of local volunteers, supported by St Mary's Pastoral Community Support Fund, to support anybody in Shalford or Peasmarsh in need of help with collecting prescriptions, shopping, lifts to health/other appointments, regular chats and general neighbourly care. If you haven't already and would like to volunteer or help co-ordinate, please contact Mel or Sarah.
St Mary's Wild Churchyard & Woodland Chapel Sanctuary
Continued thanks to Marion and Shalford Guides, and to wonderful Barry, for all their care & oversight in helping develop our eco wild area in St Mary's churchyard. Thanks especially this week to Liz, Jamie and Luke for giving their strength & time to start shape the woodland chapel. If you'd like to join the working party to either care for the wild churchyard area, or the garden of remembrance, do get in touch. St Mary's churchyard is a haven of peace for all - 0, 2, 4, 8, + more legged - to enjoy.
Watch the updated visiting video!
St Mary's Church Shalford is once again open for all for private prayer, peace and reflection, from Monday 22nd June, roughly 10am-4pm every day. Watch this little guide to visiting video for your, and everybody's, safety and care. Please come and visit as much as you like, and may you find peace and comfort in God's presence.
GIVING TO ST MARY'S
Please just click on the big blue button below (or the one on St Mary's website) if you would like to donate an offering to St Mary's church - life, ministry, serving community. The buttons will take you directly to our Shalford Parish church Justgiving site for one-off or regular online donations, where we can also receive gift aid. If you would like to discuss setting up regular giving through direct debit and the Parish Giving Scheme, please contact Ann Thomas. Thank you so much for your support at this difficult time.
St Mary's Shalford Parish Daily Morning Prayer and Night Prayer
Please join in short St Mary's at Home parish prayers
- 10-15 mins prayer & reflection -
join any time you wish live (or recorded if you view later)
via Facebook Live
St Mary's Morning Prayer 9am live every weekday
(led by Sarah on Mon, Tues & Thurs; by Katrina on Weds; by Angela on Fri) St Mary's Night Prayer or Compline every Tuesday & Thursday 9pm.
