Weekly news for 16.8.20

Dear Friends

Here is the latest news, but do please also check in with the facebook page www.facebook.com/ccpitsmoor/   and website  www.pitsmoor.church/  during the week.

A little word

How lovely is your dwelling-place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.                                                                   Psalm 84. 1-4

The Psalmist here is expressing how special and precious the Temple was. It was like home, even for the birds! And yet most of us have not set foot in Christ Church for five months now. There is a complex set of feelings going on. I miss the place, but actually it is you, the people, the Church, I miss. The word Church comes from a meaning of ‘assembly’, gradually as buildings were constructed to house the assembly the confusion arose. Of course there are special places, places of spiritual significance, of connection; but that is the point isn’t it? places where we feel an interaction with God.

So to use Church in its ‘proper’ sense; Church can be anywhere and everywhere. On Zoom, at home, meeting a friend, in the woods, in your garden. Until we can meet in the building again let’s do ‘church’ how ever we can; by internet, phone or (responsibly socially distanced) in person. Blessed are those who praise you.

New for this week

Services

If you’d like to join us on Sunday morning, here is a reminder of the link. The link is the same every week.

https://zoom.us/j/303159289?pwd=NXdpQkFJQWdLTlpIYTc2alZ6VUhqUT09

Meeting ID: 303 159 289  Password: 597076

Alternatively, for audio only, you can phone in to this number: 0131 460 1196, and follow the instructions.

We start to gather online from 10.00, our service starts properly at 10.30.

This week’s reading is Matthew 15. 10-28

Things to pray for

Give thanks for special places of connection with God and others

For Kay Robinson & family following the tragic death of her grandson Marcus

For all the young people making plans for next year after the joy or disappointment of A-level results

Thursday meeting re-imagined

Whilst we are waiting for things to get back to some sense of normality we are going to get on with something we can do. This has grown out of our churchyard maintenance and the Creation Care group.

We are planning to meet each Thursday for the time being at 10am in the Churchyard. We will have a short reading and prayer and then do something practical. Small teams can continue with grounds work and also go out litter picking in the surrounding spaces. Hopefully this will create opportunity for conversation as we bless our community. Bring your own gloves and litter-pickers.

Help wanted

Fran Belbin, at the Pitsmoor Adventure Playground is looking for volunteers to help pack and deliver food hampers, especially for Monday afternoons, Tuesday mornings and Tuesday afternoons (9-12 or 12.30-3.30) – There are various things people can do on other days, but they’re the days we are making the hampers up so most essential. More info at: 

https://soarcommunity.org.uk/news/volunteers-needed/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=volunteers-needed

Earlier week’s news

Previous editions of this news update are on the website if you can’t find it in your in-box.