(John 16:20)
On June 8th, we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) day, the end of the Second World War in Europe. Britain had been at war for over five years, during which time people’s lives had been transformed.
Many had been involved in military service and risked their lives fighting on the front lines, at sea or in the air. Even those not involved in the fighting directly, had to work extra hard as part of the exhausting war effort that had engrossed the country. All the time, there would have been the constant fear of being bombed or hearing that a loved one had been killed in action.
Then on VE day that was suddenly all over. The fear was gone, everyone could look forward to life returning to normal, the troops could come home and the work of reconstructing the country (and Europe) could begin. It is hard to imagine how incredibly joyful people would have felt on that day.
It is often the case that the greater the suffering or challenge the greater the joy when the suffering or challenge is overcome. In the quote above, Jesus was preparing the disciples for his imminent death. For many at the time, the death of Jesus was a reason to rejoice. A trouble maker had been eliminated, the status quo maintained.
But, the greater joy would be reserved for Jesus’ disciples. Although, they would go through the trauma of losing Jesus, they would discover the amazing joy of seeing him again as the one who had defeated sin and removed the fear of death, not just violent death as at the end of World War II, but the fear of death full stop. That is the incredible joy that people are still discovering today, as they come to follow Jesus.
Paul Worledge
This Sunday’s Service – 9:30am
This Sunday part of the focus of our service is celebrating VE day, which is this coming Thursday 8th May. Also, we will be blessing a Standard.
APCM and PCC membership
Our Annual Church meeting (APCM) will be on Monday 12th May at 7:00pm in the Church. At this meeting we will be updating you on plans for our Vision 2030 and electing members to our PCC. Nomination forms are available at the back of church. Please put the date in the diary. Also, please consider standing for our PCC or nominating someone who would be a good fit. We need the wisdom of a variety of church members to help us guide the church over the coming years.
Also check out the latest newsletter from ACTS at the back of church.
Young Voices Questionnaire
If you are aged 11 to 24 or know someone who is, then do encourage them to fill out the Canterbury Diocese Youth Council questionnaire which focuses on mental health. These snapshot questionnaires are an opportunity to hear the voices of young people from across our diocese. It closes on 23 May.
Youthscape Launchpad Diocesan Event
6:30-9:00pm on Monday 2nd June at St. Laurence church in Ramsgate. Led by Bp Rose Hudson-Wilkin, with Jen Tobin the Diocesan Lead Officer for Children & Young People’s Work and Launchpad Youth Scape Representatives. This is an intergenerational event for young people 11 years old and upwards and those helping to lead young people’s work. See Tonya Curry if you are interested in going as part of a group from St. Luke’s.
Next Men’s Group Meeting
7pm, Thursday 15th May at the Ramsgate Harbour Lifeboat Station. Your chance to see what is involved in the running of our lifeboat station. This is a free event, but a £5 (or more) donation is suggested. For more information contact Trevor Kenney, 07792828097, trevorkenney1@gmail.com.
Open the Book Training event with ACTS
Interested in sharing Bible stories with local schools? Keen to be part of a trained storytelling team? Join the training session, Wednesday 7th May. 10:00-13:00, St. Peter’s Baptist Church. To book a place contact Abi: primary@actsthanet.com
Services in May
Sunday 4th May, 9:30am
Holy Communion, VE Day thanksgiving and blessing of standard
Sunday 11th May, 9:30am
Holy Communion, Sunday School join us from 10:30am
Sunday 18th May, 11:00am
Dunkirk Little Ships Parade Service
Sunday 25th May, 9:30am
Holy Communion
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.
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.
Links to Share:
News Report on last week’s parade
Check out the article in the local news. Read more…
Faith or Dancing
In this piece, Amit, who had been a successful and famous dancer gave it all up to follow Jesus. Read more…
Finally, in the light of Christ’s victory in the Resurrection, let’s keep fighting the good fight.
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Priest in Charge, St. George’s Ramsgate)
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 4th May – Third Sunday of Easter
Eucharist – VE Day Thanksgiving (St George’s, 9:30am), Psalm 126
Bank Holiday Monday 5th
Tuesday 6th
Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Study Group (Lyndhurst Road) – 2:30-4:00pm
Community Meal (St. George’s Hall) – 5:30-7:00pm
Wednesday 7th
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 8th
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Saturday 10th
Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm
Sunday 11th – Fourth Sunday of Easter
Eucharist – (St George’s, 9:30am), Reading: Judges 4:1-24
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 