| Jackie Barry writes; This Sunday we’re singing the wonderful hymn “All creatures of our God and King”. The words come from the Canticle of the Sun by St Francis of Assisi who looked upon the sun as a brother and the moon as a sister. Francis had a cosmic and holistic view of faith, spirituality and mission. He often preached to the birds. Like many Middle Ages saints, he came from a rich family and enjoyed life to the full and a bit more… He had a conversion experience and a vision where God asked him “Repair my church which is in ruins”. He took this literally and rebuilt the damaged church in San Damiano. He walked away from his privileged background when his family reminded him where the money that he was spending on the church came from. He stripped himself naked in the middle of the street and returned his clothes to his family. He renounced worldly goods and family ties. He was a bit of an eccentric! Inspired by the “great commission” in Matthew’s gospel, Francis founded an order for monks and encouraged Clare (of Assisi) to do the same for women. Francis is the one who ‘invented’ the Christmas crib. He had live animals arranged in a scene at the entrance of the town around Christmas time to remind people what the celebrations are about. I’ve always liked Francis as a source of inspiration. I’ve visited Assisi, I’ve even seriously considered becoming a Third Order Franciscan at one point. I find his approach to life and the universe fascinating. It’s right that Creationtide closes with St Francis day (4th of October) as it celebrates a pioneer in creation care embedded in mission and ministry. Francis died 800 years ago today. This Sunday 10.30am; Harvest Festival! Holy Communion with children’s groups. Please bring any donations for the Emmanuel Food Pantry. List attached to this newsletter. Available on zoom Also happening this week: Morning Prayer: Monday – Friday 8am on zoom Evening Prayer : 5.30pm, Monday,Tuesday at Emmanuel; Wednesday, Thurs at St. Luke’s (NB Thursday evening prayer at 5.10pm Night Prayer : posted daily via the whatsapp group and streamed on the youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkRbv1rSZ4x-uqW3TgyoqRg For information – This week Katy will be going to Berlin for the London Diocese Berlin Partnership Conference which takes place Friday – Sunday and is to facilitate relationships between the church in London and the church in Berlin. She will be staying with our partner church in Heilsbronnen and also hopes to connect with some previous Berlin Mission interns as well as Melissa Lopes who is currently in Berlin. She will pass on greetings from St Luke’s to the church in Heilsbronnen and the interns! Tuesday – 10am Toddler drop in – Renew Café 2-4pm Wednesday – 10am – 12.00 Craft and Chat – 7.30 – 8.30 Bible Contemplation – in the church Thursday – 11am – 12.15pm : ‘Dominos and donuts’ – 3.30pm – 5pm : Messy Thursdays – 8pm : Music Group practice Friday – 6-7pm Youth Girls Hour – 7-9pm Youth Night Saturday – 10.30 Gardening Club Verse of the Month for October: ‘Come close to God and He will come close to you’ Upcoming dates for the diary: Tuesday 13th October: Peoples’ Emergency Briefing, 7-9pm Book via Eventbrite https://tinyurl.com/2pr8bvjc For prayer this week: Sunday – our Church service this morning Monday – Our church finances Tuesday – Renew Wellbeing cafe this afternoon Wednesday – Our church building and those that look after it Thursday – Messy Thursday Friday –Girls Youth Group Saturday – All standing for Synod |
