This week’s Reflection from our curate Tish

For week beginning February 10th 2025   Romans 8:35, 37-39

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?   No, in all these things we are more than victorious through him who loved us.   For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In this passage, Paul reminds us that nothing will be able to separate us from God’s love, a Love both redemptive and forgiving.  

We know God is Divine, Omnipresent and Omniscient (ever present and all knowing) but we are human and in our suffering may at times feel abandoned by God.  The opposite is true too as many people turn to God for answers when they are facing very challenging times.

As we soon begin our Lenten journey to the Cross, we will look at the abandonment Jesus experienced at the Mount of Olives when He knew what was ahead.  He cried out in anguish to The Father, (Luke 22:39-44) …..  and an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength’ (v43).  Both human and Divine, Jesus experienced the worst of humanity and suffering so is in the best possible position to be with us. 

If you are suffering for any reason at this time, the God who knows more about you than you do, loves you and is with you in your suffering.  Know too, the church family is there for you so never feel you cannot reach out for support.

The beginning and end of the passage above, ‘Who will separate us from the love of Christ?….nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  These words of truth and encouragement we need to hold onto as we navigate our own journey of faith.  

Revd Tish Bird 

See Previous Reflections here

Community Lunch

A community lunch was held yesterday In St Mary’s Church after the 10.30am Candlemas Service. A bring and share lunch was enjoyed by all. Our warmest thanks and gratitude to all those who provided food and those whose hard work and organisation made it possible.

Explore faith and be confirmed

We will be having a confirmation service later this year with a course to help people explore their faith in a deeper way beforehand. If you would like to commit to the life of St Mary’s in full and to learn more about the joys and beauties of the faith we proclaim, please email the Vicar (contact details here) or sign your name up on the sheet in church. Thank you.

Image is royalty-free from Pixabay.

Christmas Tree Festival

We are excited about holding our 6th Christmas tree festival this year and hope you will participate by decorating a tree. The festival will run from 13th December – 2nd January 2025

As in previous years, there will be competitions and events to enjoy.

●      The Festival Celebration will take place on Friday, 13th December, at St Mary’s from 5:00 PM- 6:30 PM. There will be music from the Children’s School Choir, free food and drink, and we will switch on the Christmas lights!

●      Test your festive knowledge at the Christmas Quiz, which will take place on Saturday, 14 December, at 6:30 PM.

●      Enjoy a Carol Service at Shorthampton on Sunday, 15 December from 3:00 – 4:00 PM.

If you or your organisation want to participate in the festival this year, support us, or have any queries, please register through the link (https://forms.gle/QJDwZR3XYeQAGtZa8), the QR Code on the poster, or contact Anna.

The money raised will be donated to the St Mary’s appeal and will contribute to the parish’s outreach work. We would love to hear from you if you would like to be involved.

This year, we will collaborate with Cornerstone to support local families struggling to afford Christmas gifts for their children with the Giving Tree. Please consider stopping by the Community Centre, Cornerstone, or St Marys to help support a local kid in need!

Anna – charlburyctf@gmail.com

St Mary’s Church Office – parishoffice@charlburychurch.uk