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A Poem
Sanctuary at St Michaels
by Matthew Webb
Rest in the sanctuary
The sanctuary of stillness, within cold frames of stained glass windows
Shining a dim light
Illuminating an altar of peace
Dead trees glisten with tear drops
Falling outside the window
Cascading leaves fly inside
Beautifully melting to wax
Echoed Gregorian chants weave the silence
Enchanting it in solace like waves
They move through the walls
A glimpse of light above
God comforts me
Jesus holds me
I sit in stillness
Being one
Feeling my feet on the ground
Truly and deeply forever more
In peace within a storm.
by Matthew Webb
Rest in the sanctuary
The sanctuary of stillness, within cold frames of stained glass windows
Shining a dim light
Illuminating an altar of peace
Dead trees glisten with tear drops
Falling outside the window
Cascading leaves fly inside
Beautifully melting to wax
Echoed Gregorian chants weave the silence
Enchanting it in solace like waves
They move through the walls
A glimpse of light above
God comforts me
Jesus holds me
I sit in stillness
Being one
Feeling my feet on the ground
Truly and deeply forever more
In peace within a storm.
Stepping Boldly Into 2021
Would you like 2021 to be better than 2020? Stupid question, you might think. So if the answer is ‘Yes’, what can we do to make it so? King George VI in his Christmas Day message in 1939 famously quoted the advice in the poem by Minnie Louise Haskins to ‘put your hand into the Hand of God’ as we face the uncertainty of the future.
As Christians we have enormous resources in God to guide and strengthen us. We can access them through things we do as individuals, such as prayer and study, but also, very importantly, through each other. This includes meeting for worship or bible study, whether physically or online, but also more informal things like chatting with others, either in person or on the phone or in a Zoom call. There is nothing like a word of encouragement from another person, and sharing each other’s hopes, sorrows, worries and joys.
So, I’d like to suggest that we make 2021 a YEAR OF ENCOURAGEMENT. As we face the uncertainties of the future, we need God and each other:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
(Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV).
Here are some practical things you could decide to do in 2021. Why not pick one or maybe TWO that you are going to start, or enquire about, this week? Contact the Rector, a churchwarden or Steph Martin as appropriate, to help you get started:
As Christians we have enormous resources in God to guide and strengthen us. We can access them through things we do as individuals, such as prayer and study, but also, very importantly, through each other. This includes meeting for worship or bible study, whether physically or online, but also more informal things like chatting with others, either in person or on the phone or in a Zoom call. There is nothing like a word of encouragement from another person, and sharing each other’s hopes, sorrows, worries and joys.
So, I’d like to suggest that we make 2021 a YEAR OF ENCOURAGEMENT. As we face the uncertainties of the future, we need God and each other:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
(Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV).
Here are some practical things you could decide to do in 2021. Why not pick one or maybe TWO that you are going to start, or enquire about, this week? Contact the Rector, a churchwarden or Steph Martin as appropriate, to help you get started:
- Pair up with someone from church whom you will phone regularly (once a week or every fortnight) for a chat. Make sure you ask what they’d like you to pray for them.
- Find a neighbour you could check up on regularly. Be bold and ask them what they’d like you to pray for them. They’ll probably appreciate it!
- Consider seriously joining a short course or church group for fellowship and/or bible study. More details will be publicised in the next few weeks.
- We will be setting up a scheme where you can be allocated to an Encourager to meet with you monthly or every other month to talk with you about your life goals and faith journey. Consider asking for an Encourager, or training to be one (short training provided by the Diocese) - this is called Personal Discipleship Plans.
- Enhance (or create) your personal daily prayer time using resources on our Prayer page, and use your smartphone or tablet/iPad to pray (lots of links on our page).
CD By The Choir
The CD by the Choir as below is available at £10.
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Church Guide Book
Our History and Guide booklet was thoroughly revised and expanded in 2017. It is available at the back of church and the parish office for £3.00. This booklet provides a lot of information about our church, both past and present.
A taster of the contents is available on the History pages.
A taster of the contents is available on the History pages.