St. Paul’s Church, Chippenham

WELL DONE! - to all those who hosted, put on, took part in and encouraged 3 social events recently – the Hardenhuish Coffee Morning; Fete at Kington St Michael and Strawberry Teas in Langley Burrell. They all went really well and were greatly enjoyed by many people in good weather – and a good amount of money was also raised! Excellent, thank you, well done everyone!

THREE MORE - and I’ve got other social events in my diary which I am hoping to attend …
Saturday 5 July - the Fete at Langley Burrell (which I have been invited to open at noon!)
Friday 11 July - the Helper’s Supper at Kington St Michael
Friday 8 August – a Concert Evening at Kington St Michael.
They look good – let’s hope the weather is kind for the outdoor events and that, again, many people will enjoy themselves.

SUNDAY 6 JULY - in the afternoon there are a couple of important things happening … the Bishop of Swindon will formally be opening the RISE CHILDREN’S CENTRE at St Paul’s school (an invitation event because of numbers) and at 4pm there is a SONGS OF PRAISE at Hardenhuish church. This is our regular joint service and I hope many people will be able to attend and enjoy singing God’s praises together.

BISHOP MASIMANGO AND LOUISE WRIGHT - we are hoping that Bishop and Mrs Masimango (from the DR Congo) will be taking part in the Songs of Praise – and at the 10am service at St Paul’s on 6 July. They are due to spend a few days with us …however, earlier today, I received an email that their visa for UK entry had been denied!!!!!!! (They can come to the Lambeth Conference but not spend any time before or after it in our country – it’s ridiculous – they have been invited by people offering them hospitality and yet have been told NO! It makes me wonder about the welcome we give to those from other nations!)

However, I hope someone might be able to work things out for their visit – but it may now be too late. I am glad, though, that Louise Wright (CMS mission partner in DR Congo for the past 20 years – she is now retiring) will be with us on 9 and 10 July and I hope we’ll be able to introduce her to many people.

REV EDWARD HUXLEY - is not well and is currently off work. Therefore the Bishop & Archdeacon have taken the decision that it is not appropriate to license him at the moment and so this will not now take place on Sunday 13 July. Please keep him and his family in your prayers at this uncertain time.

AREA DEAN - and as he was due to join us, I was asked by Bishop Mike to be the Area Dean for Chippenham – so I have now been made Area Dean and that means I have a much wider role within the anglican churches in this area of 26 parishes from Tytherton Lucas to Marshfield and from Lacock to Grittleton. But I am also still Team Rector of our lovely group of churches!

CONFIRMATION SERVICE - we had a wonderful service in June at St Paul’s and I already have a couple of names of people thinking about being confirmed at the next deanery service on Friday 7 November. Please have a word with me if you are wondering about confirmation yourself as I will need to think about some preparation sessions during the autumn.

FAREWELL TO MARY WOLFE - I am sorry to see you go as you have brought much to the church life in Chippenham – especially in the work with DOORWAY. We are all invited to a farewell service at 3pm at the Salvation Army on Sunday 20 July. I hope Chippenham will be able to give Mary a good send off!
ALL CHANGE AT THE METHODISTS - and also, both the Rev Nicola Slateford and Rev Frieder Kreshnak are leaving the Chippenham circuit this summer – thanks to you both and what you have shared with us – you will be missed!

OPEN TO GOD - we have 2 OtG acts of worship in this period – Sundays 20 July and 17 August – both at 7pm in St Paul’s hall. Please come along and draw closer to God!

TAIZE SERVICE - will take place at St Paul’s on Sunday 24 August at 6.30pm – all welcome!

LEE ABBEY 2008 - an update …our speaker this year, the Rev Paul Bayes (National Mission and Evangelism Adviser for the Church of England) is booked to preach at St Paul’s at 10am on Sunday 7 September.

…AND CALLING TEENAGERS! - for those aged 11-14 years there are still opportunities to sign up for The Beacon. It is a great time of fun away from the adults and children and offers many fun activities at the Lee Abbey weekend.  Jane Bailey has more details!

BRISTOL DIOCESAN COLLECT FOR GROWTH - we are going to use this prayer as the basis for our morning sermon series in the coming quarter.

Gracious God,
grant us the imagination
to see fresh possibilities for growth
and the passion to bring them to birth.

Deepen our commitment to your ways;
expand our partnership in your cause;
increase our influence for your purpose;
and add to the numbers of those who
acclaim you as Lord.

Lead us from the fear of failure
to that confidence which flows from faith
and to lives of fruitfulness and joy.

In the power of your Spirit
help us to create communities of wholeness
with Christ at the centre;
for in his Holy name we ask.
Amen

THEMES & READINGS - and so for July and August these will be the themes & Bible readings

• July 6 - Commitment - Psalm 119:33-48, Acts 2:14-21
• July 13 - Partnership - Psalm 119:49-64, Acts 2:22-36
• July 20 - Influence - Psalm 119:65-80, Acts 2:37-41
• July 27 - Add to the numbers - Psalm 119:81-96, Acts 2:42-47

• Aug 3 - Fear of failure - Psalm 119:97-112, Acts 3:1-10
• Aug 10 - Confidence - Psalm 119:113-128, Acts 3:11-16
• Aug 17 - Power of the Spirit - Psalm 119:129-144, Acts 3:17-26
• Aug 24 - Wholeness - Psalm 119:145-160, Acts 4:23-31
• Aug 31 - His Holy Name - Psalm 119:161-176, Acts 4:32-37

MIDWEEK BIBLE READINGS - at our midweek services of Holy Communion (10am on Wednesdays at St Paul’s – and 10am Thursdays at Kington St Michael) we are continuing a series LETTER TO THE CHURCHES (Revelation 1-3) and looking at PSALMS OF PRAISE.

• July 2/3 - Pergamum - Revelation 2:12-17
• July 9/10 - Thyatira - Revelation 2:18-29
• July 16/17 - Sardis - Revelation 3:1-6
• July 23/24 - Philadelphia - Revelation 3:7-13
• July 30/31 - Laodicea - Revelation 3:14-22

• Aug 6/7 - The Transfiguration - 2 Peter 1:16-19
• Aug 13/14 - Psalm 148
• Aug 20/21 - Psalm 149
• Aug 27/28 - Psalm 150

PRAYER FOR THE MONTH – As I write we are preparing for the Lambeth Conference – perhaps we can use this to pray for all those taking part!

You are the Way
Help us to find new ways of Walking
You are the Truth
Help us to find new ways of Talking
You are the Life
Help us to find new ways of Living
You are Love
Help us to find new ways of Loving
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

..and I hope you have a lovely summer time of refreshment and relaxation. God bless you!

Simon Tyndall