15th July 2012 Newsletter
St Mary Magdalene † St Bartholomew † St Alban †
PARISH NEWS
Sunday 15th July 2012
‘Another fine mess you have got me into Stanley..’
This week, Laurel and Hardy would have been proud of the Church of England. This week the York meeting of the General Synod has descended into chaos and confusion. Slapstick comedy was the more appropriate description of the behaviour of the Synod if the subject matter wasn’t quite so serious. The General Synod has been trying to pass the measure allowing the Ordination of Women to the Episcopate.
Now you would think this would be a simple matter. After all, years ago, the difficult debates had already taken place. Last year there were a resounding series of votes in favour of women becoming Bishops in forty two of the forty four dioceses of the Church of England.There had been previous debates and votes in General Synod in favour of the measure and many years of deliberation. Not to mention it was over thirty years ago when the Synod decided there were no theological objection to women becoming Bishops.
So now you would think the final vote would be a formality. Not so fast!! After all those deliberations at York this week there was still an impasse. The Synod decided there were a few more things to be discussed and so no action was the best course to take. The debate rolls on. I feel the delay just makes the Synod look silly in the eyes of the Church and the world. But I suppose if reforming the House of Lords has been debated for over a hundred years, thirty years of talk and no action by the Church puts us in a good light.
Yet if I can’t offer a small piece of advice to the Synod and I am sure they will be listening. For once a little less talk and little more action might be the better path.
Quintin
Please remember in your prayers:
Les Page, Clarice, Vicky Schiff, Win Jones, Martin Gammon,
Dela McCarteny, Frank Burdge, Joan Short, & Maude Smith.
PARISH PRAYER ROTA This week we pray for
Children and Young People: St Bartholomew’s Pre-School,
Newham Pre-School Learning Alliance, Fellowship House Children’s Centre, Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts. Centre 4M,
St Mary’s Pre-School, Community Links at St Mary’s, Nature Reserve Study Centre, St Alban’s Pre-School, Sea Cadets,
Air Cadets & Army Cadets
Readings for 15th July 2012
St Mary’s: 2 Samuel 6: 1-5, 12b-19 Ephesians 1: 3-14 Mark 6: 14-29
St Bart’s: Amos 7: 7-15 Ephesians 1: 3-14 Mark 6: 14-29
Readings for 22nd July 2012 Joint Service
Song of Solomon 3.1-4, 2 Corinthians 5.14-17, John 20. 1-12, 11-18
St Mary’s Birthday’s HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Rhanne Powell
St Bart’s Communion Hymns: 610, O the Word of my Lord (sheet) Standing on the Promises (sheet)
Today we welcome Michelle Mgbatogu for baptism at St Bart’s.
Please keep her, her family and godparents in your prayers.
Frank Burdge is now on Heather Ward at Newham General. His daughter, Catherine says he can receive & likes having visitors as long as they don’t stay too long as it’s hard for him to communicate. He’s recovering well physically. Please keep him in your prayers.
We’re very sorry to hear the news that Mike Shirley passed away on Thursday.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Win and all the family at this time.
Mike’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 24th July at 2pm in the South Chapel at the City of London Crematorium.
Today after the service at St Mary’s we will be burying the ashes of Ruth and Ray Perry. Ruth and Ray were longstanding members of St Mary’s church & we welcome their family back to church this morning.
Appointments Process
The matter is with the Bishop who is holding further consultations.
It may be several days before we hear anything. As soon as we do we will let you know.
Goodbye to Frances
Frances’s last Sunday with us will be the Joint service at St Mary’s on 22nd July. She will be moving to St Katherine’s, Matson Lane, Gloucester GL4 6DX. Her licensing will take place at 7.00pm on Wednesday 5th September. Because of the distance involved it will be difficult to arrange coach hire but if there is a demand we will see if it is feasible.
A few people are making their own way down and staying overnight.
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We know that not all of you will be able to attend Frances last Sunday at St Mary’s on the 22nd July so we are having a very informal goodbye to Frances after the service at St Bart’s today.
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We are collecting for a leaving gift for Frances.
Please give to the Church Wardens or Parish Office.
BARN DANCE. We welcome back the Bucket Band for our Barn Dance on 8th September at St Bart’s
7.00pm – 10.30pm. Tickets £6 including refreshments
will be on sale from Chrissie at St Mary’s & Irene at St Bart’s
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY at a glance
21st July Open Day at St Mary’s for Patronal weekend and Olympic Torch relay down High St South
22nd July St Mary’s Patronal Festival
27th July – 12th August Olympic Games
29th August - 9th Sept Paralympic Games
31st Aug – 2nd Sept Making a Difference Christian Arts Festival (more details later in the month)
2nd September St Bart’s Patronal Festival
8th September Barn Dance at St Bart’s
6th October Quiet Day at Haggerston
20th October Parish Autumn Fair
ST MARY’S PATRONAL FESTIVAL.
21st / 22nd July 2012.
Saturday 21st July.
10.00am – 4.00pm
Church & Nature Reserve open.
Guided tours for visitors
Refreshments available.
The Olympic Torch will be passing by at approx. 11.00am on it’s way to Central Park.
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Sunday 22nd July.
10.00am Joint Service
Preacher the Revd John Brown Vicar of St Luke’s, Great Ilford.
ALL WELCOME.
MIDWEEK EUCHARISTS/ PRAYERS.
Wednesday 6.30pm at St Mary’s
Thursday 12.30pm at St Bart’s
The Parish Office is open Monday – Friday 9.30am – 3.30pm
Telephone 020 8470 0011
Website: www.easthamparish.org.uk
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Registered Charity No: 1127847