Saint Michael’s Church
Serving God and Bishop’s Stortford
Clergy Letter For July and August 2010
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CLERGY LETTER FOR JULY AND AUGUST 2010 |
| A summmer letter from the Vicar.... |  |
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This issue of our Magazine covers the months of July and August. During that period many of us will spend time on holiday. May I wish you all a relaxing and refreshing time, safe travel and happy moments to savour for the future? The life of our Parish continues to be rich and full. As I write I have just been to visit the stained-glass works in Langlebury where a skilled craftswoman, Laura, is working on the Glass Panel that has been designed for the new Parish Centre by Anthony Cleyndert. It is a stunning piece of work and it will take pride of place in the entrance hall of the Centre. It depicts in modern style the churches of St Michael’s and of St Joseph’s and their people. Etched in to it as you look closely are small scenes of church and Biblical life. It will make an excellent first impression on all who enter the Centre. As I look to the calendar for the months ahead I see our Giving Review. That is to take place on June 20th and by the time this Magazine is published it will have had, I hope, a marked effect on us all. Our giving to God is a sign of how seriously we take Him and our faith. In the face of economic difficulties for many churches it is time for all Christians, especially Anglicans, to overhaul their attitude to personal giving and ensure that their churches have the resources to carry out the mission to which God has called them. Sunday July 4th will see the Ordination to the Diaconate of our new Curate Anthony Searle. As I write Anthony has begun moving in to Cowell House. He has finished his time at College, (he has been training at the Cambridge Theological College called Westcott House), where I am happy to say he has achieved a First Class degree in Theology and Ministry. Incidentally he is one of only 4 candidates in Cambridge to be awarded a First. Some of us will attend his Ordination at the Cathedral, but I hope we will all be able to greet him on Sunday 11th July, and even more so to rejoice with him in a Bring and Share Lunch on 18th July after the main service. Next year, when he is made a Priest, we will organise a coach for all who wish to attend the service in the Cathedral, and hopefully have a grand party in the Centre. You will see elsewhere in this Magazine (page 3) an appeal for items for school children in Belize. As you know I have a special connection with Belize and we have just received a request from the church schools there for some practical help. We have discovered that Fyffes, the banana people, run a banana boat from Belize to Portsmouth every week. It goes back to Belize empty. Fyffes have said to us that if we can get anything to their Depot in Portsmouth they will transport it to Belize free of charge, and will be happy to do so. So the appeal is out, to St Michael’s school and St Michael’s Church. Goods are being collected in my garage at the moment. A van is booked for the trip to Portsmouth. All we need is your response. Looking ahead to the post holiday period let me remind any of you thinking of being Confirmed this Autumn that the Confirmation Service this year will be held at the Cathedral on Saturday 30th October at 6.00pm. We shall combine with All Saints and Holy Trinity again this year for the preparation which will begin on September 8th for the young people and September 9th for the adults. If you wish to be considered for preparation speak to the Clergy or to the Parish Administrator without delay. First Communion classes for children wishing to receive communion before Confirmation will be held during the week of Half Term, October 25th-29th. Again let the clergy know if you wish your child to be considered. Saving the best to last I am very happy to be able to say that the opening of the Windhill Churches Parish Centre will be on Saturday 23rd October at 12 noon. There will be some invited guests, but all of you are welcome to come and join in this historic moment. The Centre is an amazing building as you will see. The Bishop of St Albans and the Area Bishop of Westminster (for the Roman Catholics) will do the honours. There will be a cutting of a tape, the unveiling of Anthony Cleyndert’s artwork, the saying of prayers of dedication, and the drinking of champagne. It will be a chance to examine the whole building. That evening we are planning a Party, probably for both churches. We shall have a theme of “The Churches have got talent” and seek to entertain ourselves and each other’s churches with home-grown acts, as well as eating and drinking together. Remember that Our Lord’s ministry began at a party (the wedding reception at Cana in Galilee). Have a great summer. Yours always, Toby.
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Office Address:
Saint Michael’s Church
Windhill
Bishops Stortford
Hertfordshire
CM23 2ND