A message from Steve, our Vicar

Dear all,
After much prayer I have decided that the APCM this Saturday 17^th October will have to be changed to a Zoom meeting. Although we could probably get away with doing it in person, I feel that given the current restrictions many are facing, we need to keep with the spirit of what the government is trying to achieve in restricting the spread of this virus.

I know that this is not ideal and will be disappointing for some, but I sincerely feel it is the right course of action given the situation the whole country now faces.

The time will remain the same at 10.30am; just join Zoom as you would usually do, by clicking here.
If this link doesn't work or you wish to join via telephone, instructions are here.

Revd Steve Spencer, Vicar
 

A message from Rachel, our Curate

To my family in Christ,

When teaching about striving first for the Kingdom of God, Jesus concluded with these words:

 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34, NRSV)

It is extremely hard to plan for anything right now, isn’t it? Currently we may be able to meet up in a group of six but this could change abruptly if we enter into another period of national Lockdown. At a time when many of us might usually be starting to plan who we will spend Christmas with, now we just have to wait patiently to see what we will be allowed to do come December.

If you are like me you may feel frustrated. I like to plan things well in advance and know all the details! I was guilty of planning the next event almost before the current one had finished. At times it can be difficult to ‘live in the moment’, to really appreciate what we are doing or who we are with right now. We may always be focussed on the next event - or reminiscing about a past one - and in doing so we miss the beauty of what is happening today.

Perhaps we could look on the pandemic restrictions as an opportunity to live in the present moment, to take one day at a time and reflect on each good thing that we experience in a day. It is good to become completely absorbed in an activity, or in another person’s company; this is how we demonstrate that we appreciate God’s many blessings and that we value each other.

And whilst we learn to ‘live in the moment’ God is working in the midst of this global crisis. He is creating ‘beauty from ashes’ here and now, in all of these circumstances, in ways which one day will bring him glory.

Prayer:

Eternal God,
Our beginning and our end,
Accompany us in this day’s journey.
Dawn on our darkness,
Open our eyes to praise you for your creation
And to see the work you set before us today.
Take us and use us 
to bring to others the new life you give in Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen.

Bible Reading: Luke 10: 1-9

Collect:

Almighty God,
You called Luke the physician,
Whose praise is in the gospel
To be an evangelist and physician of the soul:
By the grace of the Spirit and through the wholesome medicine of the gospel,
Give your church the same love and power to heal;
Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
Who is alive and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God now and forever. Amen

Saturday 17th October 10.30am 

Annual Parochial Church Meeting via Zoom as indicated at the top of this newsletter.

Tuesday 20th October 11am - Noon
Coffee and Chat on Zoom - click here
If this link doesn't work or you wish to join via telephone, instructions are here.
 
Saturday 14th November 7pm
Tearfund Big Quiz Night Online

Diocese Reflection

This week's diocese reflection comes from The Rev Canon Jeremy Blunden, Rector of St George's Beckenham and Bishop's Advisor for Black Asian and Minority Ethnic.

In the temple courtyard the Pharisees are confident that they have found the perfect 'gotcha' question for Jesus. But his answer challenges us to speak to power, to speak into the Church itself and not remain silent, no matter what might be revealed.

Coffee & Chat on Tuesdays
Have you enjoyed out chat rooms on Sundays?  Let’s chat again on Tuesday’s, starting this week 20th October from 11am until 12 noon in the Church's zoom room. Everyone welcome - online or by phone. Joining instructions are exactly the same as for our Sunday services and can also be found in the Next Week section above.

Tearfund Big Quiz night
On Saturday 14 November at 7pm, Lucy Adcock will be hosting this online quiz. All welcome - individuals, families, friends, neighbours, and is an opportunity to join with other churches & communities across the UK. More details will follow, but for now please book the date in your diary.

Confirmation
Have you been Confirmed!? Now is your opportunity. We will be running a 4-week conformation course in November. If you are interested please call either Steve, Verity or Rachel.

Bromley Foodbank

Bromley Foodbank needs our support more than ever. You can donate items via the black box outside the vicarage. Current items of need can be found here (on right hand side of web page)