Parish Study Day and 2023 Lent Course

 

JANUARY 28th – WICKFORD & RUNWELL PARISH STUDY DAY

St Andrew’s Church, 9.30am - 2pm

“All Ages are Welcome”

As a result of feedback from the 2022 Study Day we will focus on how faith experiences change over the ages, and the 'intergenerational possibilities’ we might have.

We have two speakers. Jamie Sawtell from Bar’n’Bus will help us look at how we might reach out to the young people in our community. The Revd Canon Hugh Dibbens will help us look at the ministry of the more senior among us.

There will plenty of time for discussion and questions and a light lunch will be provided. Please sign up on the sheets at each of our churches.

Lent Course 2023: Ways to Pray (Pray how you can)

We all need prayer, yet all struggle to pray. Experience different ways to pray, and find a way to pray that’s fits you! A five-week course exploring some different ways of praying: Being Still with God, Prayer Through the Day, Using the Imagination, Multi-sensory prayer, Using Art. 

These will be offered on Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon and evening, depending on numbers, starting the week of 27th February. Please complete the sign-up sheets at our churches and hand them back to a member of the ministry team.

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Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus - Prayer.

Gods' Collections: Wickford and Runwell case study

The churches in the Wickford and Runwell Team Ministry have recently featured as a case study in the Gods' Collections research project. Places of worship of all traditions have always accumulated collections. Today some have generated great art museums, while others just keep a few old things in a sacristy cupboard. The Gods' Collections project looks at why and how these collections have developed, how they have been looked after, and how understanding of them has changed over the millennia.

The case study explores the artworks found within St Andrew's, St Catherine's and St Mary's churches and considers some of the ways in which such works can be publicised, including the use of art trails as used previously in the Barking Episcopal Area and the City of London.

To read the case study click here.

In addition to this case study, I have also written a case study on the art collection of St Martin-in-the-Fields based on a tour of the site which I originally developed for the Friends of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

This case study sets the commissions programme at St Martin-in-the-Fields in the wider context of the renewal of sacred art within the twentieth century. The case study also develops further, articles originally written for Artlyst and Art+Christianity.

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Ricky Ross - I Am Born.

Saturday Solace and Contemplative Commuters

 

Here is information about two new Wellbeing initiatives from the Wickford and Runwell Team Ministry:

Saturday Solace

In need of rest & renewal?

Join us at one of our regular 10-minute reflection & Christian mindfulness sessions between 10.00 am & 12 noon on Saturdays at St Andrew’s Wickford (11 London Road, Wickford, Essex SS12 0AN)

Drop in whenever you can or combine your visit with food & drink at our popular Coffee Morning in the St Andrew’s Centre

Starts Saturday 1 October 2022

One hour trial on Saturday 24 September (10-11am)

Contemplative Commuters

A Facebook group for any commuter wanting quiet reflective time and content on their journeys to and from work.

Those joining will receive a short weekly reflection, prayer and link to a useful resource at the beginning of the week. These can be used as group members wish, at any point throughout the week.

Also available are 30-minute online services of Morning Prayer recorded on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at churches in Wickford & Runwell.

Group members can share requests for prayer, whether personal or for family, friends, colleagues, also for home, work or world situations. Prayers will be offered in the online services of Morning Prayer.

Personal prayer will be offered by Mike Tricker (Rail Pastor) & Revd Jonathan Evens (Team Rector, Wickford and Runwell Team Ministry) outside Wickford Station on Thursday mornings from 6.30 - 8.30 am beginning Thursday 29 September.

Join at https://www.facebook.com/wickfordcontemplativecommuters

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Athlete - Street Map.

Parish Quiet Day at the Othona Community

Today we were at the Othona Community in Bradwell-on-Sea for our Wickford and Runwell Parish Quiet Day. We were reflecting on Psalm 42 in order to thirst for God, as deer pant for the water brooks. We went to be refreshed, to take stock, to share together, to learn something new, to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, and to go across the field together to the ancient St Peter’s Chapel looking out over the Blackwater estuary.

Here are the intercessions I prepared and a poem I wrote while there:

Teach today us how to thirst for you, as the deer long for the water brooks. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We lift to you all those people and situations that have brought us to tears or have made our hearts heavy in recent weeks and months. Teach us today, how to thirst for your healing and consolation, as the deer long for the water brooks. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We give you thanks and pray for all those who keep holy day with us and share in praise and thanksgiving in the house of God. Teach us all today, how to thirst for you in your house, as the deer long for the water brooks. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We remember that deep calls to deep in the thunder of your waterfalls and all your breakers and waves. Speak to us today in the beauty and drama of this place. Teach us today, how to thirst for you in nature, as the deer long for the water brooks. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

As worker ants seek food, as forager bees
source pollen, as deer thirst for water brooks,
so do I long for you. To slake my thirst,
find sustenance within, to share
Your sustaining Spirit. My deep-seated
longing for meaning and identity, met
only in You. The aching absence
– a God-shaped hole – within,
filled with a Word that is sweet as honey
from the honeycomb. Honey
to sweeten the lips, tongue and palate
of those tasting the bread of life
and imbibing the warming, healing waters.

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Cor Ysgol Y Strade - As The Deer.

Last night's Collation Service

A lovely Collation Service at St Andrew's Wickford last night led by the Bishop of Bradwell - much thanks to everyone involved. Wonderful to be welcomed into my new Parish surrounded by family and friends. The service can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/WickfordandRunwellCofE/videos/722942612154051.wellCofE/videos/722942612154051

Looking forward to our Joint Service for the Team Ministry at St Andrew's at 10.00 am on Sunday followed by our APCM and a bring and share lunch.

God of renewal and refreshing, we pray for this new season in the life of the Wickford Team Ministry asking that you will be a running well of living water for our three churches, welling up within us and spilling over to bless our communities. We ask that, as you led the People of Israel across the River Jordan into the Promised Land, so, in this town built by a ford, we will also be led by you into the land of promise to experience and share your kingdom of love. 

God of hope, in Jesus you made heaven visible to earth and earth visible to heaven: make your Church a community at the heart of your kingdom alongside those on the edge of society, that each day we may seek your glory, and embody your grace; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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There's A Wideness In God's Mercy.