How Did Sunday Go?

We had a good experience of worship in church last Sunday morning. It was so good to be back in the building once again, worship-ping together. The previous service was just before Mothering Sunday.

Talking with the congregation afterward, we were hoping to be able to invite you to take your mask off at the start of future services,

depending on numbers present. On Sunday, we were kept well above 1m distance from each other. However, in view of the news about masks in shops which comes into force on Friday, it is almost certain that masks are here to stay, even if we were to achieve 2m at every service.

I will bring you the up to date guidance as it arrives from the Archdeacon, but we probably ought to get used to the idea. We understand that Covid 19 cases in

Future Services

Raymond will be on holiday for a couple of weeks in August. We are currently assessing the future pattern of services. So look out for more information in the bulletin next week.

Sunday services online will continue every week at 11am and will be led by Sha-ron while we are away. The online sermons will be given by Archdeacon Godfrey Kasana from Uganda (August 2) and our developing All Age Service Team led by Lesley Mead. (August 9).

We are hoping to have a “live” sermon at the 9am service on Sunday August 9th.

Lesley brought us another excellent online all age service last week, complete with two dogs dressed as lions, a vegetarian puppet, another brilliant dance video and an item on how to make your own lion delivered by future Blue Peter presenter Abigail Vandamme. What will they think of next?

Hang on ...we already know. It’s the wise man who built his

house upon the rock...so Lesley needs pictures of Lego hous-

es, paintings, drawings, a den house, tent, doll’s house or tree house …. Let your

imagination run wild!

Something To Make You Think

Revd Dr Catherine Okoronkwo from Ferndale in Swindon has just been made adviser to +Viv on racial justice. She spoke to our PCC a few weeks ago. Here are some books Cathy suggested we might like to read,

We need to talk about race : Ben Lindsay White Fragility: Robin DiAngelo Brit(ish): Afua Hirsch The Good Immigrant: Nikesh Sukla Girl, Woman, Other: Bernardine

Evaristo Things Fall Apart: Chinua Achebe

If you would rather listen than read, try a podcast from .

stancepodcast.com She recommends On Whiteness: Conversation with Eula Biss (from June 2020)

Cathy says: What I took from this is that we have to stop using fear of talking about race as an excuse not to talk. It’s only by talking about race, making an effort to listen and understand the life experiences of black and ethnic minority people that we can begin to make a difference.

It is not enough to pat ourselves on the back for being a diverse congregation. Let’s see if we can go deeper this during the autumn.

Car Accident

Godfrey’s son Enock has been in a serious car accident in Uganda. He was badly knocked about and has been in hospital for treat-ment. His father’s car is out of action. (Godfrey is going to be our preacher on August 2.) He will be reduced to travelling by motor bike, which is danger-ous. As Archdeacon he has plenty of miles to travel.

Godfrey has not asked for money. However, if you would like to contribute to repairs to help get God-frey back on the road safely, then please send a gift to

St Johns PCC Code 40 52 40 Account 00018582 Please mark it Godfrey

“Here’s one I

made earlier…”

Prayers: For Pauline Gray’s Dad Bryan: Bryan has been diagnosed with colon cancer. Despite a large tumor it has thankfully not spread. The surgeon will re-move half his colon on Friday (17) so please pray for him for his operation and especially his post operative recovery. Bryan has lost a lot of weight, has heart problems and is anaemic. Pray that there will be no complications. Pauline would also like us to pray for her mum at this anxious time. Patti Tomlinson has been in hospital for a knee replacement. Let’s pray for a full recovery for her and for Joan. Ian Bridge and Jean need our ongoing prayer at a tough time.

Sunday

19th July

6th after Trinity

Keep on Running!

Watch the Open Doors video focusing on these three extraordinary boys from the Central African Republic.

You will see your world differently.

Watch the video at vimeo.com/380040347

Time Service Preacher Readings

11.00am Online Holy

Communion

Raymond Adams Hebrews 12:1-3

Luke 18:1-8

Please pray for our church family

Mon Joan King

Tue Gillian Large

Wed Lorraine Limer

Thurs The Maartens Family

Fri Lindsey Mason

Sat June Matthews

Sun Yvonne McCrackne

Brenda and Terry want to thank

everyone for all the

cards they re-ceived

on the occasion of their Diamond Wedding

Anniversary.

Services Next Week

26th July

9am

11am

Don’t Give Up (live in church)

Don’t Give Up (online)

Raymond Adams

Raymond Adams

Central African Republic No 25

Pastor Zoundji has been living in a tent for six years now – for the most part, without even the bare essentials, like soap. Muslim forces looted his home and ransacked his town, forcing him and the Christians there to flee into the wilder-ness back in 2014 Returning home is not currently possible. Pastor Zoundji says: “We will continue to announce the Word … even if death comes.” The three young boys on the front cover were worshipping in their church when grenades came through the roof, causing terrible devastation. (watch the video for more).