“It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost
from the spring of the water of life.”
(Revelation 21:6)
Do you like things to be free? Most of us love finding a good bargain, and love the fact that the NHS is free at the point of need, but when offered something free of charge we are often suspicious. What’s the hidden catch? There’s no such thing as a free lunch? Is this just to hook me in? Is it too good to be true?
We live in a consumer society. Money is more than currency, we build up our identity by what we spend our money on – at least that is what the advertisers like us to think and believe. So, we expect life and relationships to be about an exchange. I’ll give you something, expecting something in return. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.
But real relationships are not about exchange, but love. Parents give freely to their children without expecting anything in return, simply because they are their children. Life in the family contrasts deeply with life in the market place.
So, how are we to relate to God? Is it to be a consumerist kind of relationship? Do we give to God in the hope of receiving something in return? No. Jesus says that to enter the kingdom of God we need to be like small children. We come to God as a small child comes to their father, freely receiving his good gifts to us.
In our verse above, Jesus makes clear that when we come to him and become part of his family, we receive freely from him the water of life. That is life in abundance, eternal life. This is God’s amazing grace. Will you accept the invitation?
Paul Worledge
Electoral Roll
The electoral roll is the list of members of St. George’s parish who have the right to vote at our annual meeting. Every six years, the roll has to be renewed from scratch and 2025 is one of those years. So, if you consider yourself a member of St. George’s then please complete an electoral roll application, whether you were on the electoral roll before or not. To qualify to be on the electoral roll, you must be baptised, over 16 and either live in the parish of St. George’s or have attended St. George’s for six months or more.
It’s quick and easy to fill in an online form: apply to be on the electoral roll. If you are not sure which parish you live in then you can check via this website.
St. George’s Fundraiser
The fundraiser set up to raise money to cover the excessive electricity bill on our hall has more than met our expectations and raised over £11,000. Thank you to all those who donated so generously and those who helped to run the campaign.
Treasurer Role
After many years of faithful service, Derek Tench is looking to step down as treasurer. This is an important role in the life of the church and involves various tasks: Bookkeeping, PAYE management for staff, reclaiming Gift Aid, Negotiating Utilities & Procurement and producing accounts for the annual report. If you think you might be able to take on some or all of these tasks, then please see Paul, Mark or Derek. Derek will of course offer training and support to whoever would like to take over.
Youth and Children’s Pastor
St. Luke’s is now advertising for a Youth and Children’s Pastor. You can check out the details on the website. The deadline for applications is on 31st March. Please pray that we can find a really good candidate for this important role. Find out more…
Tower and Crypt Tours – Can you help?
Please contact Jemima on either 07971782477 or via email regenerationofficer@stgeorgechurchramsgate.uk if you are able to get involved with helping to host the tours.
They will be on during the summer to coincide with the Yard Sales and Heritage Open Days and we are also doing a couple of dates in May as well. The dates are Saturdays: 17th May, 24th May, 14th June, 12th July, 9th August, 13th September and 20th September.
Revelation Strings Concert – This Saturday, St. Luke’s
This orchestra is made up of experienced and young musicians and is in association with St. Lawrence College. It should be a lovely concert. £10 entry, but children are free.
Thanet United Prayer Event, This Sunday, 6:30-7:45pm
Join Christians from around Thanet at Holy Trinity Margate, as we come together to pray for Thanet, UK & the world.
Titanic Journey – 2-4pm, Sat. 5th April, St. George’s
Local historian, Bob Pryor presents, ‘My life with Titanic’. Tickets are £5 in advance and available onlineof £7 on the door.
St. George’s Day Parade
In preparation for the St. George’s Day parade on 27th April, GB Carnival are looking for donations of clean tin cans and plastic tubs. You can drop off your donations at the Carnival Club in St. George’s Hall 5-7pm every Wed. or at Community Soup in the church from 12 -2pm every Wed. and Sat.
Links to Share:
AI Deadbots
AI seems to be everywhere, but this article talks about using AI to mimic a person who has died. Graham Tomlin explains why this is concerning. Read more… (10 mins)
The hidden message in Meghan Markle’s new show
In her new show on Netflix, Meghan Markle uses language that sounds very religious. What is going on? Read more… (5 mins)
Finally, let’s rejoice in God’s free gift to us.
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Priest in Charge, St. George’s Ramsgate)
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 23rd – Third Sunday in Lent
Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: Isaiah 55:1-9
Thanet United Prayer (Holy Trinity, Margate) – 6:30-7:45pm
Monday 24th
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Craft Group (St. George’s Hall, Soup Kitchen) – 2:00-3:30pm
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:15-9:30pm
Tuesday 25th
Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Coffee Morning (St. George’s Hall) – 11:00am-12:00pm
Study Group (Lyndhurst Road) – 2:30-4:00pm
Community Meal (St. George’s Hall) – 5:30-7:00pm
Wednesday 26th
Study Group (Langdale Avenue) – 10:00-12:00 noon
Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm
Study Group (South Eastern Road) – 7:30-9:30pm
Thursday 27th
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Saturday 29th
Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm
Sunday 30th – Mothering Sunday (Fourth in Lent)
Eucharist (St George’s, 9:30am) – Reading: John 19:25-27
Sunday School (St George’s, 10:30am)
Online Forms
Under the ‘Contact’ tab on the website, there are now three forms that you can use to help us in managing the church:
- Events Application Form. Use this if you are organising a church event that needs a church room booked, advertising or ticketing.
- Submit a Notice. Use this if you want to ask us to include a prayer request or other notice in the church notice sheet or email.
- Maintenance Reporting Form.Use this to report any non-urgent issues with our buildings or grounds.
St. George’s Website
- What’s On – a page which lets you know what is happening this week and gives information about upcoming events.
- Notices – You can read the latest notices on this page.
- Sermons – Read a transcript of a recent sermon or watch the YouTube version recorded at St. Luke’s. There are now videos for all the sermons over the summer.
Safeguarding Training
If you volunteer in anyway at church the national authorities are strongly encouraging you to take at least the Basic Module in safeguarding training once every three years.
If you have not completed the training in the last three years, then the module can be completed online and takes about ninety minutes. You can access the training by following this link. You will need to first register, to access the training. Once the training is completed, you will be sent a certificate. Please forward that certificate to James (office@stlukesramsgate.org), so that we can keep records of who has done the training.
St. George's Church Ramsgate 