“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
(Luke 12:32)
This week, the sections of the email are:
- Opening Reflection: Growth and Pruning
- Key notices: Harvest Sunday, Grant News, Union of St. Luke’s and St. George’s Parishes
- Coming Up: Songs for the Shows, History of St. Luke’s Talk, Baroque Recital, Kent Women’s Convention, Barn Dance
- Interesting Blogs: The Scandal of Prayer, Discussing Christian Nationalism
- Weekly Calendar
- Online Forms: Event application, Submit a notice, maintenance report, Safeguarding
Scroll on…
Opening Reflection
This week we’re looking at Deuteronomy 8 as we celebrate Harvest. It’s a time to think about growth and pruning. In the passage, the Israelites are reminded how God sustained them through the harshness of the desert. They’re also told of the abundance he has in store for them.
If your season right now looks more like waiting in the desert than enjoying abundance, know that God is doing more than you can see. He’s working unseen, under the surface, just as seeds grow in the dark before anything shows. And if your season looks more like fig trees heavy with fruit, a life of visible abundance and growth, then this is a moment to be thankful to the one who provides.
Something I find complex about seasons in life is that several can be happening at once. We might be growing in our faith, waiting on our work, and pruning a relationship, all in the same week. In the middle of that, we have to keep looking for God. We need to stay rooted in him so we can weather whatever storms come.
So, wherever you are today, waiting, pruning, in abundance, or in decay, the invitation is the same: receive what’s given, notice who gave it, give thanks, and hold it open-handed enough to share.
Beth Keenan
Key Notices:
Harvest Service – This Sunday!
We will be having a financial collection this year for Christian Aid. Please consider giving generously. Also, please bring non-perishable food to offer at the Harvest Service on 27th September to support the local food bank at the Salvation Army.
We will have a simple Communion Service at 9:30am, followed by an All-Age Harvest celebration at 10:00am.
Grant News
We have been partially successful in our grant application to Historic England. They have awarded us £353,240. This is towards the cost of repairs for St. George’s building.
Union of St. Luke’s and St. George’s Parish and Benefices
A draft scheme has been drawn up to unite our two parishes of St. Luke’s and St. George’s in Ramsgate. This will mean that both churches will be governed by one PCC and that any future vicar appointed will be appointed to look after both churches. Under the scheme both St. Luke’s and St. George’s will continue as parish churches of the new united parish. More information is available on the notice at the back of church and on the website.
Grant Application for St. George’s Building
We are currently waiting to hear back about a grant application for £1million to help restore and develop St. George’s building. This is from the Historic England Listed Places of Worship Renewal Fund. As part of the application, we prepared a short video to explain to the funders what we are hoping to do with the church. View the video. Please be praying that this bid will be successful! We should hear back in the next month or so.
Coming Up:
Songs from the Shows
A very entertaining evening put on by the “coastal choir” at St. Marks Church, Pysons Road, Ramsgate on Thursday 1st October at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8 to include refreshments. All proceeds will go to support the work of community pastors.
History of St. Luke’s Talk – 150th Event
An illustrated talk to celebrate 150 years since the opening of St Luke’s church looking at how it came into being and some of the challenges of its early years. Saturday 3rd October, 3pm in the church. Admission £5. Find our more…
Baroque Recital – 150th Event
Petra Hajduchova will be giving a harpsichord recital at St. Luke’s at 3pm on Saturday 10th October. This will be free, but donations will be welcome to be split between Petra and the church. Find out more…
Kent Women’s Convention
This year’s speaker is Lizzy Smalllwood and the theme is ‘Sent – Make Jesus Known’. Saturday, 10th October, 10am-4pm, St. Nicholas Church, Sevenoaks. A group will be travelling by train from Ramsgate. See Hazel Kenney 07887 863176 for more information or see their website.
Barn Dance – 150th Event
Join us for hot food and dancing. St. Luke’s Hall, 7pm, Saturday 17th October. Tickets are £5 and available from Trevor Kenney 07792 828097 or Paul.
Interesting Blogs to Share:
The Scandal of Prayer
One of our Life groups is looking at Prayer at the moment and one of the members found this short video about prayer, that asks are we using prayer to change God or allow God to change us. Watch video.
Discussing Christian Nationalism
In this article, Graham Tomlin reflects on an event where people were gathered from different viewpoints to discuss the controversial issue of Christian Nationalism. What happens when you talk to people you disagree with, rather than just read what is fed to you on social media? Read more (5 mins).
Weekly Calendar
Sunday 27th – Harvest – Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
Eucharist (St. George’s Church) Deuteronomy 8:7-18 – 9:30am
Monday 28th
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Tuesday 29th
Prayer Meeting (St. George’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Community Meal (St. George’s Hall) – 5:30-7:00pm
Wednesday 30th
Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm
Thursday 1st October
Prayer Meeting (St. Luke’s Church) – 9:30-10:00am
Saturday 3rd
CTiR Prayer Breakfast (St. Luke’s Church Hall) – 9:30-10:30am
Community Soup (St. George’s Church) – 12:00-2:00pm
History of St Luke’s Talk (St. Luke’s Church) – 3:00pm
Sunday 4th – Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
Eucharist (St. George’s Church) Matthew 21:33-end – 9:30am
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.
They meet at the following times:
- Monday evening (two groups)
- Tuesday afternoon
- Wednesday morning
- Wednesday evening
- Thursday morning
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.
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 give thanks for the harvest!
Yours in Christ
Paul Worledge
(Priest in Charge, St. George’s Ramsgate)
