“By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.”
(Hebrews 11:30)
This week, the sections of the email are:
- Opening Reflection: Joshua’s First Battle
- Key notices: Update on grant applications for St. George’s, Baptism in the sea, Diocesan Safeguarding Survey
- Over the Summer: Sailors’ Church Services, Dare to Pray
- Beyond the Summer: Four Visions of Hope, 150th Anniversary of St. Luke’s
- Interesting Blogs: Speaking in tongues, Slowing down in a distracted culture, Sharing Stories
- Summer Calendar
- Online Forms: Event application, Submit a notice, maintenance report, Safeguarding
Scroll on…
Opening Reflection
Have you ever heard of a more ridiculous set of battle tactics than those recorded in Joshua 6 for the Battle of Jericho? Spend six days marching around the city once each day blowing some trumpets and carrying a golden chest, then on the seventh day do the same things seven times, then shout. It sounds more like a plan for a carnival than a battle.
To be fair to Joshua, the plan was not his idea. Shortly before the battle he came across a man standing with a drawn sword. Immediately alert he asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” It is an important question in war. The answer, however, immediately challenges Joshua’s assumptions. He says, “Neither, but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.”
Joshua is reminded that God is not their magic talisman to help them win the battle. The question is not whether God is on Israel’s side, but whether Israel is on God’s side. This leads to a deeper question. Will Israel rely on superior military tactics or on God for their victory?
The commander of the LORD goes on to reassure Joshua that he will defeat Jericho then commands him to carry out the battle in the strange way I described above. The point, I think is to show that we need to look beyond the merely material world to the God who is beyond. We need to learn obedience to him and trust in him, even when to do so seems to go against the logic of a purely earthly based perspective. Joshua and Israel did that and they were victorious. We need to do the same.
Will we look for God at work in our lives and the lives of those around us? Will we prioritise obeying God, even when it feels odd to do so? Will we live as those on the LORD’s side?
Paul Worledge
Key Notices:
Update on Grant Applications for St. George’s Building
We are delighted to report, that St. George’s has been selected as a Demonstrator Church for net zero carbon emissions. This means we will receive £18,000 towards the cost of surveys and plans to incorporate net zero technology in the future building works, with a possibility of further funding towards the cost of installing it. We are also making good progress on another application for significant funding for the work needed on St. George’s.
Baptism in the sea
We are planning on having an adult baptism in the sea after the service on Sunday 13th September. If you are an adult new to faith and have not been baptised (or christened) as an adult or child and would like to consider being baptised on this date in the sea, then please talk to Paul, asap.
Diocesan Safeguarding Survey
As you may be aware INEQE Safeguarding Group have been commissioned to conduct Independent Safeguarding Audits of the Church of England to make sure dioceses and cathedrals are doing all they can to create environments where everyone feels safe, valued and respected. As part of the audit process for Canterbury, INEQE hope to engage with parishioners and members of the parish community through an online survey which will act as a mechanism through which individuals can comment on any matters relevant to the Audit’s focus. The survey is both anonymous (we are not seeking to identify you) and confidential (you will not be identified). We would therefore ask you to be open and honest with your responses. The survey results are received directly by INEQE’s Audit Team and not by the Church of England. The survey is now live and will close at 11.30 pm on Wednesday 2nd of September 2026. Access the Survey.
Over the Summer:
Sailors’ Church Services
Each Sunday in August, refreshments from 5:30pm, service starts at 6pm. Join us for some lovely services in Ramsgate harbour’s Sailor’s Church. This year the theme will be: ‘Wisdom.’
Dare to Pray
This will be on Saturday 22nd August at 9:30-10:30am and this time we will make it a prayer walk. Please meet at the entrance to St. George’s at 9:30am.
Beyond the Summer:
Four Visions of Hope
A course on the message of the major prophets by Robin Plant at Newington Free Church on Tuesdays 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th September, 7:30-9:00pm.
150th Anniversary for St. Luke’s
We are looking forward to a number of events in October to celebrate St. Luke’s 150th anniversary. Plans so far include: a talk on the early history of St. Luke’s (3rd October, 3pm), a Baroque Recital (10th October, 3pm) and a social including a barn dance (17th October, evening). This will culminate with a joint special service on Sunday 18th October, which is St. Luke’s day. Please also do take time to submit some ‘anni-versary cards’. It would be great to reach 150 of these by October.
Interesting Blogs to Share:
Speaking in Tongues
In this carefully thought through essay, a Biblical Scholar, who doesn’t himself speak in tongues (or want to!), makes a case for their use and benefit today. Read more… (15 mins)
Slow down in a distracted culture
Drawing insights from Sylvie’s book, The Art of Living in Season, and Kevin’s recent release, Mere Christian Hermeneutics, this conversation explores how to resist our modern culture of distraction. Discover how the spiritual discipline of slowing down, the beauty of the local environment, and the daily rhythms of marriage and parenting serve as profound environments for Christian discipleship. Watch Video (25 mins)
Sharing Stories
Check out this website, which shares stories of Christian life and faith from people all around the country. You might be inspired to add your own story. connect4life/sharing stories
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
Wednesdays
Gardening Group (St. Luke’s Church) – 10:30am-12:00pm
Thursday
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Cafe4All (St. Luke’s Church), Coffee and Chat for all – 10:00-11:30am
Saturday
Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am,
Sunday Services – 11:00am – St Luke’s Church
Sunday 26th July – Eighth Sunday after Trinity
Family Service – Joshua 5:13-6:5
Sunday 2nd August – Ninth Sunday after Trinity
Family Service – Joshua 7:1-26
Sunday 9th August – Tenth Sunday after Trinity
Family Service – Joshua 9:1-27
Sunday 16th August – Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
Family Communion Service – Joshua 10:1-15
Sunday 23rd August – Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
Family Service – Joshua 14:6-15
Sunday 30th August – Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity
Family Service – Joshua 24:14-28
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 now more groups available! They meet at the following times:
- Monday evening (two groups)
- Tuesday afternoon
- Wednesday morning
- Wednesday evening
- Thursday morning
There is also a youth life group on a Sunday afternoon.
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
Our website is now updated with the latest information about Safeguarding and links to the Diocesan form for reporting concerns and accessing training.
Training
If you volunteer in anyway at church the national authorities you should take at least the Basic Module in safeguarding training once every three years. If you hold a role connected with vulnerable adults or children and young people, then you will also need to take the Foundation Module. Once you have completed your training, please forward that certificate to James, our administrator, (office@churchramsgate.org) so that we can keep records of who has done the training.
Finally, let’s keep trusting and obeying Jesus,
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Priest in Charge, St. George’s Ramsgate)
St. George's Church Ramsgate 