General Chat

Hello all, although I have not been adding to the thread
I read it everyday and thank you Cynthia for your dedication
to this thread.

I find I have nothing to add these days but find comfort
from all who add to the thread.

Thinking of those in need of comfort and strength x

One wry comment by Matthew Parris in his article published in the Times on Christmas Eve declared that ‘he is settled in his disbelief’.

But he went on to say - ‘Christianity’s message of tolerance is why it remains the foundation of Britain’s culture’.

Good morning :-)

Oh my goodness.....a crowd have popped in - how lovely.

It's always good to see kandj popping in to see us, especially when she is so busy.

Pat........I have vaguely heard about that type of Fast before but...........looking for snails? That made me gulp....yuk :-)

So pleased you are okay Emma and its comforting to think you are still looking in.

Matthew Parris is an atheist who believes both in the church and the monarchy apparently. Sounds as rather as though he is not totally sure of his convictions to me. Poor chap.

We continue our Lenten journey.

‘Indifference’

When Jesus came to Birmingham
they simply passed him by.
They never hurt a hair of him
they simply let him die.
For men had grown more tender
and they would not give him pain.
They only just passed down the street
and left him in the rain.

Still Jesus cried, ‘Forgive them, for they
know not what they do.’
And still it rained the wintry rain
that drenched him through and through.
The crowds went home and left the streets
without a soul to see.
And Jesus crouched against a wall
and cried for Calvary.

Studdart Kennedy.

Cx
:-)

Good morning :-)

Today is St. Patrick's Day and we send greetings to all Irish friends. Its a day of great celebration for them and we remember this famous saint with the words of his famous 'Breastplate' prayer.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.


Cx :-)

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh.

I understand that it's Emma's birthday today......


Happy birthday friend....hope you have had a lovely day. <3

Emma, hoping that today has been a good one.... Happy Birthday wishes xx

Good morning :-)

As we continue our Lenten journey....

Heavenly Father, during this Lenten season, give me a new and expanded vision for my life. Help me to live full of faith. Teach me to find hope in the face of adversity. Amen.


Love to all

Cx :-)

Thank you for your birthday wishes x

My birthday was the 16th and I had a lovely day <3

Good morning :-)


Lovely to hear that you had a good day on your birthday Emma <3

We held our Spring Fair yesterday and made over £1200 which is very helpful to the ongoing work of the church.

The Collect (special prayer) for today

Almighty God,
whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain,
and entered not into glory before he was crucified:
mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross,
may find it none other than the way of life and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.


The Gospel reading for today is the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well and a most interesting conversation takes place. (John 4 5-42)



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

During Lent, many people stop spending money on things they like and then donate what they have saved to a good cause. During this week, we will look at some Christian charities which may be of interest and which would benefit at the end of this Lenten season...

Today…………The Church of England’s Children Society.

In the late nineteenth century, Edward Rudolf, a young Sunday school teacher and civil servant in South London, found himself confronted by the brutal effects of poverty on the lives of children.
When two young boys failed to turn up for his Sunday school, he went to look for them and was shocked to find them begging for food on the streets. Their father had died, leaving their mother struggling to bring up seven children under 11 years old.

Theirs was not an isolated experience and Rudolf was moved to act.

If you want to know more, please click on the link…..

http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/about-us


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Continuing the theme of Lent - Prayer/Fasting/Giving, today we look at the Leprosy Society........

It was the young Irishman Wellesley Bailey’s spirit of adventure which led him to India in 1869. He originally intended to join the police force but, after lodging with a German Lutheran missionary and learning the local language, he felt that God was calling him to missionary work. He applied to work with the American Presbyterian Mission and was sent to teach in one of their schools in Ambala, in the Punjab area of North India. It was during his training that he saw, for the first time, the devastating effects of leprosy.

If you would like to know more, please click on the link………


https://www.leprosymission.org.uk/about-us-and-leprosy/our-history/



Cx :-)

Hello all

I have a laptop that has a mind of its own but so far, so good.

Thank you Cynthia for you daily postings, with so much information freely shared.

That was a good amount made for your church funds, Greatly needed too.

I have supported the Church of England Children's Society for more
years than I can remember and I found yesterday's link really interesting.

Sending a hug to all in need today. xx

Good morning :-)

Hi kandj - good to see you popping in <3


Another charity to consider during this season of Lent....and one that maybe not many have heard of.....

OPERATION NOAH

Faith-motivated
Science-informed
Hope-inspired

Operation Noah is an ecumenical Christian charity providing leadership, focus and inspiration in response to the growing threat of catastrophic climate change. If you are interested in this subject – then this is a charity for you.

Please click on the link……

http://operationnoah.org/



Cx :-)

Good to see you posting Kandj.

I haven't heard of Operation Noah so I shall have a look at their website later.

After the terrible events in London today all my thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy and for the emergency and medical services that work so hard when there is a need. May they all be given the strength they need.

Good morning and a sombre day for so many people.

Today we continue to pray for all those caught up in the events at Westminster; for the families of those who have died, especially the family of PC Keith Palmer, the policeman who died in the course of duty.

We pray for those who were injured and for all who witnessed the shocking events. We thank God for the emergency services and for those who gave assistance to the injured.

We pray for our Prime Minister and Members of Parliament as they resume their seats and continue with the business of running our great country.

Lord, bless us all. Amen.

Cx <3

Hello all

Such an horrendous and tragic event in Westminster yesterday.
Praise must go to the police and all the emergency services.

Thoughts and prayers today for all the victims and their families.

Remembering all who had their lives taken away so suddenly.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them.
May they all rest in peace. Amen.

Another senseless act of violence, may they all rest in peace.

My thoughts are with those who are fighting to survive their injuries.

My thoughts and prayers to all family and friends at this time.

Good morning :-)

Today, in our looking at various Christian charities in the spirit of giving during Lent, I have found one which is fairly local to me but there may, of course, be similar charities across the country....


Mustard Tree – combating homelessness and poverty in Greater Manchester.

Mustard Tree was named by its founder, Dave Smith, who was inspired by one of the parables told by Jesus. It is found in Matthew chapter 13, verses 31-32.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and be-comes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

‘We adopt a non-judgmental approach and treat all who come as equally valuable, regardless of race, faith, sexuality, gender or social standing.’

If you would like to find out more, please click on the link…..

http://www.mustardtree.org.uk/


We continue to remember the tragic happenings in Westminster and pray for all those involved.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Today we take a last look at a Christian charity as we ponder on the giving aspect of Lent.


World Vision is the world’s largest international children’s charity.

Our story began in 1947 when Dr Bob Pierce, an American evangelist and war cor-respondent, took a life-changing trip to China and Korea. Amid the incredible pov-erty, one girl’s need tore at his heart.

Her name was White Jade. Bob gave her guardian his last five dollars to support her upbringing and keep her enrolled in school. He sent another five dollars every month. But he wanted to do more.

Please click on the link if you would like to know more……

http://www.worldvision.org.uk/


Cx :-)