October 2017

The Rector Writes

This month sparks the launch of our next Alpha, beginning on Monday 2nd October for 11 weeks in Emmanuel Church, Penyffordd. Alpha is a chance to explore the Christian faith, ask your own questions and share your point of view regardless of what you think. It’s for those who’ve never set foot inside a church, those who would like to debate the Christian faith, those who would like to consider adult baptism or ‘confirmation’ (membership into the church), and anyone else who’d like to revisit or rethink through the basics.

In Autumn 2016, Alpha was completely revised and updated into a new Film Series filmed around globe. You can preview at www.Alpha.org. Today Alpha is run all around the world; an estimated 27 million people have completed an Alpha Course. Everyone is welcome. Alpha helps us to see how relevant, true and exciting it is to live as a Christian.
We begin each session with Soup + Puddings before watching the 30-Minute Film that will lead into A Good Discussion. You can say as much or as little as you like. Why not come along? Make some new friends. Listen to others life stories. Explore your faith. Question others faith. Come to as much or as little as you would like or can manage. We have a good number already signed up!
We now also come into the Harvest Season. Please do see the All Age Services flyer inside for more information on what’s happening for all ages and families – we have Scarecrow building, Harvest Festival services, A Harvest Lunch and A Toddler Harvest all happening.

I am delighted to announce our guest preacher for this year’s Harvest Songs of Praise on 5th October will be Mr Simon Piercy. Simon we know enjoys a good sing, as he coordinates the local St John’s Community Choir. Simon is currently on placement with us as part of his ordination training – this will be his first sermon with us – please do come and support him.

At our Emmanuel Ladies’ Guild Harvest Supper (4th Oct) and Harvest Songs of Praise (5th Oct) – followed by the all-important Hot Pot Supper – we will again be taking collections for two of the current international emergency relief efforts. In Emmanuel we will be raising funds for World Vision’s Emergency Crisis fund for South Sudanese Refugees. In Hope we will be taking a collection for World Vision’s Emergency Crisis fund for those affected by the recent hurricanes in the Caribbean Islands.
Please do not give more than you can afford but please prayerfully consider what you might give to these very important relief efforts.

Thank you to Revs Jill and Jeremy Duff for contributing to our New Testament Book Overview Sunday Sermon series last month. This month to our communion services we will welcome our new Pioneer Priest Rev Gill Stanning, our Mission Area Leader Rev Martin Batchelor, and once again Jeremy Duff who will be with us in our 11am Holy Communion Altogether Service in Hope at the end of the month. To our October Question Time: Grill the Vicar! Evening on 19th October I’m delighted to say that we have Martin Batchelor joining Jeremy and myself on the panel too. Thank you very much to all our contributors!

Rev Gill Stanning, the new pioneer priest to Borderlands M.A. and a former drama teacher, who will be sharing more of what she’s doing in our Sunday services on 1st October, is going to put on a Mission Area show! This will be a big production with songs, dance and scenes aplenty. Actors of all ages, plus back stage crew, technical types and costumes/props, publicity designers etc are needed! The play is set for three performances across the MA for Feb/March 2018. If you’re interested in backstage and non-acting jobs please email Gill at gill.pioneerpriest@gmail.com. Rehearsals will be on Tuesdays in October, November and January in Hope. On Tuesday 3rd October there will be a big script read-through, after which Gill will cast the show. You can say how big or small a role you’d like. Come along – it’s going to be great!

Finally a big thank you to Nigel and Kirsty for coordinating our new Facebook for “Hope Parish Church, Flintshire”. If you’ve not yet ‘liked’ us then please do! In Christ, Adam.

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