British Royal Legion
The Shiplake & Dunsden Branch, Royal British Legion, is 100 years old this year and to mark the occasion we are having a special service at Shiplake Church on Sunday 12th September at 3.00 p.m. The Guest Speaker is Air Vice Marshal John Ellis who is Chaplain to the Royal Air Force. There will be light refreshments afterwards. If you would like to join us to celebrate our momentous achievement please email Rosemary Jones at rsjones45@yahoo.com or phone 0118 9481517 so we have an idea of numbers.
Expanding our variety of worship and training
Within the new pattern of worship agreed by the Joint PCC, there are opportunities for lay-led services. Initially, these will be led by our clergy team with the aim of lay leaders taking over in due course. We will be running an initial training session on Saturday 23rd October from 13.00-17.00 in The Ark at Shiplake; it will be led jointly by Robert, Pam and Sarah and we will look at:
- The background behind Morning and Evening Prayer
- Speaking in church
- How to plan a Service of the Word
Please think about whether you might be called to lead in some way. Attending the session doesn’t mean you have to follow it through. And if you can’t come to this one, let Robert or Sarah know and we will organise another session. Contact Leigh to book a place or register your interest.
Responding to the crisis in Afghanistan
As Christians, we are called to be beacons of hope and people of welcome to all. Now, more than ever, we are being asked to hold these values before us and extend the hand of welcome to fearful and terrorised people.
Here are three ways in which you can respond:
Pray: Lift the situation in Afghanistan to God in prayer as you read things in the news. Pray particularly for vulnerable marginalised groups and for women and children. Pray for safe passage for those escaping the country. Pray for peace.
Show your support for refugees: Send a personalised email to your MP and local authority to let them know you want our nation to welcome refugees.
Christian Concern for One World are producing template emails to help you with this.
Act: The situation is still unfolding so it will be clearer what the specific needs are in coming days and weeks. The diocese are having conversations with several organisations to see if there are specific things our parishes can do to help. Click here to see more information on the Diocesan website.
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