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Welcome to the October newsletter from St Peter's Church. In this newsletter you'll see the dates and times of our services in October and details about what else we're up to as a church family.
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A note from your new priest
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It’s great to finally be here and installed in post. Thank you so much for your kind welcome of me and my family. The licensing service was wonderful and such a joy. Now the work begins.
You may wonder what I have been up to and what I have planned. Well, there’s a few things on the to do list. Some of things are about me getting to grips with the church, the parish and the diocese (it turns out that things are a little different this side of the Pennines!) and some of those things are about me starting to put into action the things that you said that you wanted in your parish profile. I promised you that for the first few weeks there would be very little change and that’s true. Hopefully some of the things that you love, and you have missed are still very much a part of what we are doing.
As we move towards Christmas, there will be a few changes. These are all in direct response to the parish profile and the conversations I have had with some of you, paired with my own thoughts and reflections as I have considered the best route ahead for us. The heart behind these changes is to ensure that as a worshipping community, we can worship in ways that allow us all to connect with God (recognising that different worshipping traditions are present within our church family) and ensuring that our priorities are focussed on reaching out with God’s love to those who are outside of the church family. Afterall, this is the heart of the Christian faith; drawing close to God and then being sent out to serve him.
Over the next few months, I will unpack some of these changes in the newsletter and explain them more fully. For now, I ask that you trust me with the task that you have given me in the knowledge that you are loved, and that God has good plans for us.
With love
Jess
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News for Children (and their parents and carers!)
Sunday School is back at a new time and is a little bit different. We’re now meeting after the morning service for 30mins from 11:15am to 11:45am.
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All ages of children are in together as we spend a bit of time playing games, thinking about the Bible story for the morning and finishing by making something to take home. All children are welcome, but we do ask that your parent or carer stays in the building while Sunday School is on. Don’t worry, we’ll give them a cup of tea and a biscuit while they wait for you.
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We’d love you to come along to the service as well (it starts at 10am) but, if you can’t make it at that time, you are still welcome to join us for Sunday School. Hopefully we’ll see you all soon!
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Online Services and Reflections
During the lockdown and beyond we were putting full services and then some shorter reflections on our Facebook page but recently we’ve stopped so that we can find out what you want. We recognise that for those who are at home and can’t get out and about, having access to church online can be a real lifeline and so we want to create online content that is going to best serve you.
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There are a whole host of things we can do, full services, short reflections, a vicar’s vlog, bible studies or anything else you can think of. Let us know what you want and would value. You can tell us in person or drop an email to vicar@stpetersbirstall.co.uk
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Volunteers
If you have been listening to the notices of late you may be aware that we are looking for volunteers to help in a variety of roles. A few key ones to mention are people to serve teas and coffees after services, people to help with cleaning and maintenance, people to lead or help with children’s work (subject to safe recruitment) and people to help with events such as the Christmas Fayre.
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We are only able to worship and serve in this community by the generosity of people who are willing to offer their time and talents. If you think you could help with one of these roles or if you have something else that you feel that you could offer, please do get in touch with our wardens or drop an email to vicar@stpetersbirstall.co.uk
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What's on in October
We hope that you can join us each Sunday in church for our 10AM service, with the Revd Jess.
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Some of our less mobile members find it difficult to get to church on their own. If anyone can help with offers of lifts, or if you would like a lift, please let Leif or Wendy know and they will do their best to coordinate.
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- Thursday 7th October: St Peter's Playtime 1-3PM
- Sunday 10th October: Communion service at 10AM
- Thursday 14th October: St Peter's Playtime 1-3PM
- Sunday 17th October: Communion service at 10AM
- Thursday 21st October: St Peter's Playtime 1-3PM
- Sunday 24th October: Communion service at 10AM
- Thursday 28th October: St Peter's Playtime 1-3PM
- Sunday 31st October: Communion service at 10AM
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Prayer Ministry Team members will be available every Sunday to pray with anyone should the need arise. If you aren't in church for the Sunday service but would like prayer, please contact us - the Holy Spirit can cope with a telephone call. Please don't worry or suffer alone.
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Prayer for October
Sunday the 10th October is Homeless Sunday. This prayer was written by Housing Justice, who work to mobilise Christian action on homelessness and housing need.
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Dear Jesus, our Saviour, thank You for all my blessings, and may I work for You daily, storing up my treasures in heaven. I pray the homeless and poor will see the beauty in themselves and know that they are loved and cherished by You, our All-Faithful King. Be with organizations all over the world as they fight against poverty and homelessness. May I do much more than my part as one person on Your wonderful Earth. May I do the work of a million men when showing my love and genuine care for those living in poverty or without a home. Help them to see You in all that I do. In Your compassionate name I, pray. Amen.
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And finally
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We hope you enjoyed this newsletter. If you have suggestions for things we can put in it please do get in touch.
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Thanks for reading. God bless you all.
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St Peter's Church, Birstall
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