Vicar's Letter for August/September	Archive
Jayne writes… Summer - time for BBQ’s, al fresco dining, Wimbledon thrills, family get- togethers, holidays and LIGHTNING STRIKES! I hope no one else experienced a lightning strike recently – thankfully no lasting damage or injury, but several items of equipment at the vicarage and in church have been affected giving us a reminder that with all our technology we are still not in control of the elements! Thankfully this particular ‘act of God’ is covered on our Ecclesiastical Insurance. Our readings of the book of Job have continued at Morning Prayer and this quotation (God speaks to Job) seems especially apt: ‘Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘here we are’? Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?’ Perhaps in our daily round we are inclined to forget that it is God who made us, who sustains us and who, by his redeeming love, creates us anew. I am reminded of Mother Julian of Norwich, a 14th century English saint who described a vision in which God showed her a little thing, the size of a hazel nut, in the palm of her hand. She wondered what can this be and the answer came, it is all that is made. As she pondered on this she wondered how it could last and understood three truths from this little thing. God made it, God loves it and God looks after it. God is Maker and Lover and Keeper….perhaps another way of considering the Trinity? There are details in this magazine of a number of events that are happening at St Cross over the Summer and into the early Autumn – do join in with as much as you can as these are all opportunities for friendship within the family of St Cross and indeed for building friendship with the extended family of our local community here in Knutsford. They also give opportunity for those families who attend church on a monthly basis to get to know people better. It has been lovely in recent months to welcome new families coming along through the baptism of a child. As you know usually we hold baptisms during the All Age worship on the first Sunday of the month, but occasionally it is good for this to happen during one of our 10 o’clock Eucharist services. We have found that for some this can be a bit difficult for a number of reasons and I would like now to tell you about a very special service that is happening in August. On 23rd August two babies are to be baptised during the service of the Eucharist, but the whole service will be especially planned so that children and those less accustomed to church services can feel at home and come to a greater understanding of what is going on in our worship. Among those who may wish to come will be those young people and adults, as well as children, who may be considering Confirmation – confirming promises made on their behalf at their own baptism. But it is also hoped that everyone in our church family will gain a new insight into why we do what we do when we celebrate the Eucharist together. There will be lots of action, brief talks rather than a sermon, and hymns…well suggestions would be welcomed, particularly from the children! The following month, on 27th September, we have our Harvest Festival and this coincides with Back to Church Sunday; an ideal opportunity to come back to St Cross if you have been away for a while. We look forward to welcoming you in the coming weeks to worship and to our social events. There is also plenty of space in the diary for weddings so please pass this good news on to friends! St Cross is a lovely venue and recently a newly married couple ‘processed’ from church across the moor into Knutsford for their reception – thankfully all in the sunshine! Bye for now…happy holidays and see you soon. See the Calendar for details of the Family BBQ and the Concert in September

Vicar's Letter for August/September

Archive

Jayne writes…

Summer - time for BBQ’s, al fresco dining, Wimbledon thrills, family get- togethers, holidays and LIGHTNING STRIKES! I hope no one else experienced a lightning strike recently – thankfully no lasting damage or injury, but several items of equipment at the vicarage and in church have been affected giving us a reminder that with all our technology we are still not in control of the elements! Thankfully this particular ‘act of God’ is covered on our Ecclesiastical Insurance. Our readings of the book of Job have continued at Morning Prayer and this quotation (God speaks to Job) seems especially apt:

‘Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘here we are’? Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?’

Perhaps in our daily round we are inclined to forget that it is God who made us, who sustains us and who, by his redeeming love, creates us anew.

I am reminded of Mother Julian of Norwich, a 14th century English saint who described a vision in which God showed her a little thing, the size of a hazel nut, in the palm of her hand. She wondered what can this be and the answer came, it is all that is made. As she pondered on this she wondered how it could last and understood three truths from this little thing. God made it, God loves it and God looks after it. God is Maker and Lover and Keeper….perhaps another way of considering the Trinity?

There are details in this magazine of a number of events that are happening at St Cross over the Summer and into the early Autumn – do join in with as much as you can as these are all opportunities for friendship within the family of St Cross and indeed for building friendship with the extended family of our local community here in Knutsford. They also give opportunity for those families who attend church on a monthly basis to get to know people better. It has been lovely in recent months to welcome new families coming along through the baptism of a child. As you know usually we hold baptisms during the All Age worship on the first Sunday of the month, but occasionally it is good for this to happen during one of our 10 o’clock Eucharist services. We have found that for some this can be a bit difficult for a number of reasons and I would like now to tell you about a very special service that is happening in August.

On 23rd August two babies are to be baptised during the service of the Eucharist, but the whole service will be especially planned so that children and those less accustomed to church services can feel at home and come to a greater understanding of what is going on in our worship. Among those who may wish to come will be those young people and adults, as well as children, who may be considering Confirmation – confirming promises made on their behalf at their own baptism. But it is also hoped that everyone in our church family will gain a new insight into why we do what we do when we celebrate the Eucharist together. There will be lots of action, brief talks rather than a sermon, and hymns…well suggestions would be welcomed, particularly from the children!

The following month, on 27th September, we have our Harvest Festival and this coincides with Back to Church Sunday; an ideal opportunity to come back to St Cross if you have been away for a while.

We look forward to welcoming you in the coming weeks to worship and to our social events. There is also plenty of space in the diary for weddings so please pass this good news on to friends! St Cross is a lovely venue and recently a newly married couple ‘processed’ from church across the moor into Knutsford for their reception – thankfully all in the sunshine!

Bye for now…happy holidays and see you soon.

See the Calendar for details of the Family BBQ and the Concert in September