PARISH OF KIDDERMINSTER ISMERE WEEKLY BULLETIN – 21st February 2021
Our reflection this week is offered by Fr. Simon Archer:
Our gospel reading for the first Sunday in Lent tells us about the baptism and temptation of Jesus, who then declares the time of the coming of the Kingdom of God. As I have spent time with families preparing for baptism, and in some of my talks at christenings, I have used as an illustration a series of identity cards, and an old passport.
There is one ID card from the National Union of Journalists from 1986. Another is from the National Union of Students at Staffordshire Polytechnic, when I was doing my degree in International Relations. (If you don't know what a polytechnic is, ask a parent - or grandparent!). The next card, with a photo now showing me in my post-hair days, is my library membership card from Ripon College Cuddesdon, where I was a residential student training for ordination. The last one is a business card with my contact details as a priest.
Through all of these stages of my life I have held different 'identities' - as journalist, student, ordinand, priest and, in the case of my passport, citizen. Yet one identity runs through them and ranks above them - that of being a Christian; a follower of Jesus in the way of love, and through baptism part of his people, the Church.
How would you describe your identity? Who are you? Who and what are you (and we) meant to be and do?
Our Sunday worship over the coming weeks will form the basis for our Lent Conversations, which you can still join in - there are details below in this Bulletin. We will be discussing our identity and calling, as individuals and the Church. I'm excited about what we will discover together this Lent. Will you join in too?
Fr Simon
Services for the week commencing Sunday 21st February 2021
Sunday 21st February at 11:00 Service of the Word via Zoom
The service begins at 11:00 and the link to join will be active from 10:30 onwards but we ask you, please, to join by 10:55 at the latest.
You can use Zoom on a Smart Phone, iPad or Tablet or you PC. If you have not used Zoom before, Nigel, Simon or Angela will be happy to lead you through how to use it.
Monday 22nd to Friday 26th February at 08:00 Morning prayer – via Zoom
Monday 22nd to Friday 26th February at 20:00 (Not Wednesday) Compline – online
Monday 22nd February Lent Conversations with Fr. Simon Archer via Zoom at 19:00 (Link available by request from team.vicar@ismere.co.uk )
Wednesday 24th February at 18:45 Ismere@Prayer via Zoom (Link available by request from revnrt@icloud.com)
Thursday 25th February at 14:00 Lent Conversations with The Ven. Hayward Osborne via Zoom (Link available by request from hs.osborne@btinternet.com)
Saturday 27th February at 10.00 Lent Conversations with Revd. Nigel Taylor via Zoom (Link available by request from revnrt@icloud.com)
Readings for Sunday 21st February – 1st Sunday of Lent
Genesis 9.18-17
Psalm 25.1-9
1 Peter 3.18-end
Mark 1.9-15
Collect
Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness,
and was tempted as we are, yet without sin:
give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit;
and, as you know our weakness,
so may we know your power to save;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
Notices
Morning Prayer
From Monday 22nd February Morning Prayer will be via Zoom live streamed on Kidderminster Ismere Facebook page at 8.30 am each weekday morning. This will provide an opportunity for us to pray together and for others to join in the readings and prayers. If you would like to join us, please contact the Parish Administrator (office@ismere.co.uk) or one of the Clergy who will happily provide you with the Zoom link.
“Growing Disciples” - Lent Conversations begin
Our Lent Conversation groups start online this week: Monday at 7 pm (led by Simon), Thursday at 2 pm (led by Hayward), Saturday at 10 am (led by Nigel). The group leaders will contact all participants with the Zoom invitation.
We shall pick up themes from the Sunday Gospel reading – see the Sunday service video on Facebook, or hear the sermon on the Ismere website.
This week we are reminded of Jesus’ baptism and the time he spent in the wilderness. We think about his sense of identity and mission, and reflect together on what ours might be.
It’s not too late to join in: Contact the relevant clergy or get in touch with Angela at the Parish Office: email office@ismere.co.uk
District Church Council Decisions
The District Church Council for St Mary & All Saints and Holy Trinity Trimpley met on February 10th and agreed:
Pastoral Contact System
Worship and Vision for St Mary’s
Teaching and Outreach Programme for 2021
Future DCC membership
Finance
Church building
Church School
to seek two Foundation Governors for St Mary’s School.
Our parish funeral ministry
We commend to God those parishioners who have recently died, with our clergy approached to conduct the funerals.
Funeral on:
February 25th Jessie Aimes (service at Stourbridge Crematorium)
March 1st Thomas Johnson (service at St Mary and All Saints, Kidderminster)
March 9th Brenda Taylor (service at Wyre Forest Crematorium)
We pray for those who mourn, and for those offering a ministry of care and compassion at this time.
Clergy contact details
Team Rector Revd. Nigel Taylor 01562 851744 team.rector@ismere.co.uk
Team Vicar Revd. Simon Archer 01562 66262 revsimonarcher@gmail.com
Associate Priest The Ven. Hayward Osborne 01562 745638 hs.osborne@btinternet.com
The clergy and other congregation members are available for you at times of pastoral need. Please do not hesitate to get in touch.
