Church Bulletin
If you are not into the Olympic Games, please forgive me for continuing the Olympic theme from Monday, although I think some of the inspiring stories from the Tokyo Games reach far beyond sporting achievement. We have been treated to so much emotion – tears of joy at unexpected success and tears of disappointment and even despair. As well as the joy of winning a plethora of medals and rightful celebration that accompany that, Team GB has earned (or suffered!) a series of 4th places, evoking such comments as “4th place is the worst of all” or “Nobody wants to be 4th” = as if that were failure! The burden of expectation, it seems, is immense. How refreshing then to hear commentators and competitors say what a great achievement and privilege it is just to be selected to represent your country and to be there at the Games, let alone in a final. Of course it is disappointing to come so close to a medal after 4 years or more of sacrifice, preparation and training and the initial false feeling that maybe one has let down all those who have helped and supported during that time. And yet it has been so good to hear members of families and support teams in interview, affirming how proud they are of their loved ones and proteges for who and what they are and for giving their all. This was nowhere more evident than in the case of Helen Glover, the two-time gold medal winner, coming out of “retirement (?)” after producing twins, and her rowing partner, Polly Swan, recently qualified as a nurse, who has been volunteering her services to an overstretched NHS. The dream of another gold, or indeed any medal, did not materialise for them, but, as Helen’s husband pointed out in interview, both Helen and Polly are so much more than their sporting prowess and achievements. And both women have stressed the value of the lives, responsibilities and service that they devote outside sport. We have also seen the evident distress of American champion gymnast and hottest of favourites for more golds, Simone Biles, as she withdrew both from team and individual events to “focus on her mental health”, because of the huge burden of expectation on her. Once again it is so gratifying and encouraging to learn of her comment posted on Twitter: “The outpouring of love and support I’ve received has made me realise I’m more than my accomplishments and gymnastics, which I never truly believed before”. It is right to celebrate success and achievement, but, with Rudyard Kipling, in his poem “IF”, we might do well to “meet with triumph and disaster, and treat those two imposters just the same”; or to acknowledge the common sentiment: “It is not the winning or losing that matters, but how you play the game” – in life as in sport. For God knows each and every one of us better than we know ourselves and loves us all infinitely and unconditionally; He gave His Son Jesus to die for us and raised Him to life, so that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, He may be with us and we may know His love, comfort, peace and joy always. St Paul says in his letter to the Corinthians: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a prize that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9: 25) And it is a prize that is freely available to everybody.
Jeremy Thomas
Church Opening
The church is open for live worship every Sunday and for private prayer on Thursdays.
Due to limited seating, places may be reserved by contacting Julie on a first come, first served basis. As before, we urge you if you have an invitation not to forget and if you are suddenly unable to attend to let us know at the earliest possible moment. Face masks continue to be required. If you see anyone not wearing a face mask, it is because they have medical exemption. We are not allowing any other exception. It is imperative the rules are strictly adhered to. This means gelling hands immediately upon arrival, taking your pew straight away as directed by the steward including whether to sit by the wall or the aisle; not moving from your place at any point during the service; and leaving promptly afterwards.
To reserve a seat please contact Julie at administrator@standrews-eg.org.uk or 07756 918847.
After booking a seat, if you find that you are unable to attend a service please inform one of the churchwardens so that it can be offered to another person.
The current arrangements for attending church will remain in place after 19th July and until the PCC have met to consider the new Church of England guidance. A further update will be included in the bulletin.
Children’s Service – MANY PLACES LEFT!
Our next Children’s service will take place in church on Sunday 1st August. There are still lots of places left! Please book as soon as possible.
If you would like to reserve a place, please contact one of the churchwardens.
St Andrew’s ‘Rocks’
This Summer we would like you to join us in designing and painting a rock on the theme ‘Why I love our Area’.
If you would like to paint a rock there will be a box outside the Church Entrance on Thursdays and Sundays throughout the Summer for you to pop your finished rocks in.
We will then display these rocks in our Rockery at the front of the Church to view and spread a little joy this Summer.
We can’t wait to see what you create!
If you have any further questions then feel free to contact our Youth Worker Emma on standrewscovyouth@gmail.com
Book Club
The next Book Club meeting will be on Tuesday 14th September at 7.30pm and the book we have chosen is: Who moved the Stone, by Frank Morrison. A well-known book seller says this about the book: The classic text on examining the evidence for the Resurrection. Convinced that the story wasn’t true, Frank Morison started to write about Jesus’ last days. However, as he studied this crucial period something happened… First published in 1930, this is an exploration of what happened between the death of Jesus and the resurrection as recorded in the Bible. Writing this book changed Morison’s life.
Why not read it and join us to discuss what it says?
Any questions please contact Sue Masters.
Youth Work
We are looking to safer recruit volunteers for our Youth work. If you feel you could help with either the Drama Club, Rock Solid or the Youth Wellbeing course then please get in touch with Emma at standrewscovyouth@gmail.com
Foodbank Donations
To donate to Central foodbank, Sue Barnes is coordinating this so please contact her to drop off food at her house. Contact Sue at susanbarnes1960@outlook.com
If you are unable to give food you can also donate online here: https://www.trusselltrust.org/rddonate-checkout/
Sunday Coffee Gathering
The access codes for the 11.15am Sunday gathering are available from the churchwardens.
Congratulations
To our churchwarden, Nick Tooby, who celebrated his birthday yesterday.
Sad News
Grace Latham, a long-standing member of the parish, passed away in hospital last weekend. Please pray for her family at this sad time.
Please Pray
For the next stage of the appointment process for our new vicar, Jo Joyce, and as she prepares to become our new vicar.
Do send Julie your favourite bible verses or hymn verses, names for prayer and any birthdays, celebrations or articles for inclusion in the bulletin. Julie can be contacted on 07756 918847 or administrator@standrews-eg.org.uk
Church Contacts
Churchwardens: Nick Tooby – 07951 925772 and Becky Crowe – 07875 552518
Parish Administrator: Julie Crow – 07756 918847