“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
(Galatians 5:25)
This week, the sections of the email are:
- Opening reflection: Fruit of the Spirit
- Key notices: Churches Together Prayer Breakfast, Thanet Prayer Diary
- Coming Up: Confirmation Service, Men’s Group Games Night, Easter Cracked, Welcome Service for new Archbishop of Canterbury, Romp through the Old Testament
- Interesting Blogs: Ukraine an unwanted anniversary, Ukraine and the test of International Law
- Weekly Calendar
- Online Forms: Event application, Submit a notice, maintenance report, access Safeguarding training
Scroll on…
Opening Reflection
Last week, we looked at the two humanities on offer. The one rooted in Adam’s disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden and the other rooted in Christ’s obedience to God in the Garden of Gethsemane as he expressed his willingness to die on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. We now have the option of continuing to live simply in the old way as a descendant of Adam and his disobedience, or by faith in Christ as those reconciled to God and assured of his forgiveness.
As Christians, we inhabit both of these humanities. In Galatians Paul talks about our ‘flesh’ or ‘sinful nature’ as the drives and attitudes that we inherit from Adam’s disobedience. It can lead us into all kinds of different sins. As Christians, however, we have received the Holy Spirit, which helps us to live in obedience to God. In particular, the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is to develop characteristics or virtues which are deeply attractive: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Over the coming few months, we will be looking in more depth at each of these virtues and how we can grow in them with the help of God. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people’s experience of the church was of a community whose members are marked by such qualities? Indeed, one of the things that drew me to become a Christian as a child was observing people in the church exhibiting such beautiful qualities.
These virtues do not develop automatically. Paul talks of a conflict in our lives between the flesh and the Spirit within us. If we are to truly live out the new humanity of Christ, then we need to learn to resist the flesh and its urges and walk in step with the Spirit.
Paul Worledge
Key Notices:
Churches Together Prayer Breakfast
St. Luke’s and St. George’s will be hosting the Churches Together Prayer Breakfast at St. Luke’s Hall on Saturday 7th March, 9am to 10am. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you can offer to help with the catering, then please see Paul this Sunday.
Book Corner
Our book corner has now moved to the warmer less draughty side of the church. Do go and have a look at the colourful selection of new books in the front-facing display case chosen by Lucy. Many of these books are about the lives of missionaries. The older bookcase contains Bibles, Handbooks, and books explaining different books or parts of the Bible. There is plenty of choice for everyone. You are welcome to borrow the books, but when you return them, it would be great if you could write a brief review to encourage others to read them. Some cards for your comments will be available soon. We welcome donations of other Christian books which are still in good condition and do not have handwritten notes in them.
Thanet Prayer Diary
Copies of the March and April prayers are available at the back of church or download here.
Coming Up:
Confirmation Service
Sat. 28th Feb., 5pm, St. Luke’s Church
Please come and support candidates from St. Luke’s, St. George’s and other local churches being confirmed and baptised at the end of February. There will be around nine candidates from St. Luke’s and four from St. George’s. Bishop Rose will be taking the service.
Men’s Group Games Night
The next event is a Games night at St Lukes, Church Hall on Thursday 12th March. Please let Bruce know if you are going.
Easter Cracked
St. Luke’s will be hosting 80 Year 6 pupils from St. Lawrence College and Newlands School on the morning of Tuesday 24th March for this interactive workshop run by ACTS.If you can volunteer to help host and run the workshop (setting up from 9am and tidying up until about mid-day), then please let Paul know.
Welcome Service for new Archbishop of Canterbury
The service, led by the Bishop of Dover, will bring together individuals and church groups from across our county highlighting the rich and varied communities which we serve. This will be the main opportunity for the whole Diocese to formally welcome and show our support for our new Diocesan Bishop. Saturday 28th March, 5:30-6:30pm. Canterbury Cathedral. Click here to book a free ticket.
Romp through the Old Testament
An interactive day of exploration, new insights and fun with Rev. Dr. Sue Woan. Free! (donations welcome) Bring your own lunch – drinks provided. Saturday 18th April, 9.30am – 3.00pm. Newington Free Church, St. John’s Avenue, Ramsgate. To book a place contact Robin Plant:
Interesting Blogs to Share:
Ukraine, an unwanted anniversary
This week marked the fourth anniversary since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In this article read a report about the work of CMS partners in the country. It includes some prayer requests. Read more…
Ukraine and the test of International Law
In this article, Mark Meynell, explores the implication of the four years of war in Ukraine for International Law. Read more…
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 1st March – The Second Sunday of Lent
Eucharist (St. George’s Church) Galatians 5:13-26 – 9:30am
Monday 2nd
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Tuesday 3rd
Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Community Meal (St. George’s Hall) – 5:30-7:00pm
Wednesday 4th
Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm
Thursday 5th
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Confirmation Course (St Luke’s Vicarage) – 11:30am-1:00pm
Saturday 7th
CTiR Prayer Breakfast (St. Luke’s Hall) – 9:00-10:00am
Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm
Sunday 8th – The Third Sunday of Lent
Eucharist (St. George’s Church) Psalm 100 – 9:30am
Sunday School (St George’s, 10:30am)
Confirmation Course (St Luke’s Vicarage) – 5:00-6:30pm
Life Groups
Will you dare to share the Christian life with others? Life groups are a great way to meet together regularly with a small group of other Christians, for mutual support, to share in reading God’s word and to pray for one another.
Please see Paul if you are interested in joining one. There are groups at the following times:
- Monday evenings
- Tuesday afternoons
- Wednesday mornings
- Wednesday evenings
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.
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@churchramsgate.org), so that we can keep records of who has done the training.
Finally, let’s keep developing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives,
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Priest in Charge, St. George’s Ramsgate)
St. George's Church Ramsgate 