(Luke 10:27)
This week, the sections of the email are:
- Opening reflection
- Key notices
- Over the summer
- Beyond the summer
- Interesting Blogs
- Prayer Requests
- Weekly Calendar
- Online Forms
Scroll on…
This is the last email until the beginning of September – so do pay close attention!
Opening Reflection
The Lion and the Mouse, The Boy Who Cried Wolf and The Tortoise and the Hare are just some of the fables attributed to Aesop, a Greek fabalist traditionally known to be a slave in ancient Greece.
As fables often have one key point, the boy who cried wolf teaches not to lie, the parables of Jesus have intrigued people to this day with how to interpret them, how deep their meaning runs, how many layers the stories have and whether they should be interpreted in multiple different ways or seen simply with one moral takeaway.
In our story of the Good Samaritan, we could see it simply, as scholar Adolf Jülicher did, as a story with the message to ‘be kind and help others whoever they are’ and nothing more. However, we could understand it on the other extreme, how St Augustine of Hippo writes about it, that it’s a parable where every element and character is symbolic, serving together as an allegory for the fall of man.
However, there’s a significant challenge here when we consider the context in which Jesus shares this story. Jewish Scholar Amy-Jill Levine suggested a more balanced approach between the two above, highlighting the importance of context in understanding parables and their nuanced meanings. Before sharing this parable Jesus is asked ‘Who is my neighbour?’ Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan. It shows kindness, compassion and neighbourly love between enemies, between people that are not similar in their beliefs, culture or location. This raises a difficult question for us today: who are the people we, both individually and collectively, would be tempted to exclude, ignore, or turn a blind eye to in their suffering, and how do we truly love our neighbour?
Beth Keenan
Key Notices:
Thanet Christians Prayer Diary
Copies of the July and August prayer diary are available at the back of church or here.
Charity Support
At our last PCC meeting, we decided rather than paying from church funds into a few chosen charities, we would seek to promote the charities at special services through the year and encourage people to donate generously at those times.
In order to start this, we want people to suggest charities to support. We will choose three charities: one with an international focus, one with a national focus and one with a local focus. Ideally, the charities should be Christian. Please send suggestions for charities to support to Sue Martin by the end of July, so that the PCC can consider which three to choose.
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. This only takes 45minutes to an hour to complete. If you are involved in working with children or vulnerable adults you also need to do the Foundation Module, which takes a similar amount of time.
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@churchramsgate.org), so that we can keep records of who has done the training.
Why not find time over the summer to complete these courses and help us ensure we are a safe church for all?
Over the Summer
Dare to Pray, St. George’s, Saturdays 19th July and 16th August
It was great to have 18 people from both churches at the first of these last month. Join us as we gather to pray for our plans as we move towards Vision 2030 from 9:30-10:30am.
Ramsgate Carnival – 27th July
It’s that time of year again! Ramsgate Carnival on Sunday 27th July, which means that our Regeneration Officer, Jemima is looking for volunteers to pull the St George’s lantern and carry our flag. The route is shorter than last year so it shouldn’t be such a slog. We need a minimum of 4 pulling the lantern at any one time, but if there are more we can share the work and take turns.
We’ll be getting start time details etc shortly but last year we gathered at Government Acre at lunchtime/ early afternoon.
Please let Jemima know if you are interested by WhatsApp message or text to 07971782477.
Vicarage BBQ – 5-8pm, 27th July
If you did not make the last vicarage BBQ on 5th July and are able to come on 27th, then please sign the sheet at the back of church and come along with some meat or equivalent to be cooked.
Small Groups
If you are interested in connecting with one of our small groups over the summer, please contact:
- Monday evenings: Trevor Clarke – 07899 318952
- Tuesday afternoons: Mark Ogden – 07896 111159
- Wednesday mornings: Vanessa Shingles – 07969 207887
- Wednesday evenings: Mike Turner – 07971 601364
Beyond the Summer
Deanery Roadshow – 7pm, 3rd September, St. Luke’s Church
Everyone is welcome to hear from Diocesan Officers on various themes around the theme: The Next Steps to Growth. Refreshments from 6:30pm.
The Bible Course – Coming in September
Starting on Monday 8th September, 7:30pm in St. Luke’s Hall, we will be running The Bible Course (new edition), a great opportunity to understand how the Bible fits together as a whole. It is ideal for both those new to the faith and those who have been Christians for years. This will last for eight weeks and replace the small groups for September and October.
Ride and Stride
The annual Friends of Kent Churches ride and stride event takes place on Saturday 13th September. People can be sponsored to cycle and walk around as many churches as they can on the day. Alternatively, you can volunteer to welcome people into the church. See Jennifer Smith for more information.
Kent Women’s Convention, 4th October, Canterbury
The Kent Women’s convention is to be held in Canterbury this year. 4th October, St. Mary Bredin. Tickets cost £10. See flier in church. Book early!
The Birth of St. George’s, 3pm, 4th October
Join us at St. George’s Church to hear our very own historian, Margaret Bolton, share the history of the original setting up of St. George’s church nearly 200 years ago. Tickets, £5. More information to follow.
Interesting Blogs to Share
Letter from Istanbul: How many neighbours is it possible to love?
In this 6 minute read, Becky Ruth shares her experience of living in Istanbul and the enormous pressure of immigration in Turkey as she ponders the parable of the Good Samaritan. Read more…
Line Judges replaced by robots? You cannot be serious!
In this 3 minute read, Matt Lewis bemoans the loss of line judges at Wimbledon, wondering if our humanity is being lost to technological efficiency. Read more…
Weekly Calendar through the summer
Mondays
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Tuesdays
Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Community Meal (St. George’s Hall) – 5:30-7:00pm
Wednesdays
Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm
Thursdays
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Saturdays
Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
19th July and 16th August – DARE TO PRAY. Join together to pray for our plans as we move towards Vision 2030. 9:30-10:30am, St. George’s Church.
Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm
Sunday Services – 09:30am – St George’s Church
Sunday 13th July – Fourth Sunday after Trinity
Eucharist – Luke 10:25-37; Sunday School (10:30am)
Thanet United Prayer Meeting – 6-7:15pm, Queen’s Road Baptist
Sunday 20th July – Fifth Sunday after Trinity
Eucharist – 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
Sunday 27th July – Sixth Sunday after Trinity
Eucharist – 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Sunday 3rd August – Seventh Sunday after Trinity
Eucharist – Luke 12:13-21
Sunday 10th August – Eighth Sunday after Trinity
Eucharist – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; Sunday School (10:30am)
Sunday 17th August – Ninth Sunday after Trinity
Eucharist – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Sunday 24th August – Tenth Sunday after Trinity
Eucharist – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Sunday 31st August – Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
Eucharist – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
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.
Finally, let’s make sure we love whoever we come across as our neighbour!
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Priest in Charge, St. George’s Ramsgate)
St. George's Church Ramsgate 