Events, News and Miscellaneous
Here you can find out about what is currently happening in the church together with recent events.
We are delighted to announce that the Revd. Nicola Bown has been appointed to be the new Rector of St Mary’s Cottingham after a unanimous decision by the interviewing panel. The Revd. Bown will move to the village from Linton near Cambridge with her husband and two sons as soon as present circumstances allow.
We look forward to welcoming Nicola and her family to St Mary’s as soon as it is possible for us to do so.
Denise Bottomley
Helen Bristow
Churchwardens
Here is a Palm Sunday reflection by our new Rector https://www.stmarysgreatshelford.org/church/meet-team/ .
The Church of England website https://www.churchofengland.org/ has links to some videos of services and worship resources.
There are more links on its Coronavirus page, at https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches. If you are on Facebook, you may find others there, including some videos of choral evensongs.
See also the St Mary's Facebook page, at https://www.facebook.com/stmaryscottingham/
And Radio 3 has its regular choral evensong on a Sunday at 3.00 p.m. (Usually it is a repeat of that broadcast the previous Wednesday at 3.30 p.m.)
Unfortunately the church is now closed until further notice.
Funerals are the only service allowed with very restricted numbers
The church magazine will not be published until further notice.
St. Mary’s Cottingham
Prayer in the Ether 10
As the regulations regarding the coronavirus are relaxed a little, we pray that common sense may prevail and our action be proportionate.
Gracious God,
We pray for all those who are self-isolating, that they will have a sense of your reassuring presence during their solitude.
We pray that many Church-run hospitals and health programmes around the world will have capacity to offer care to all who need it during this pandemic.
We ask a blessing on all the members of our congregation, remembering those who are not well, are anxious or bereaved.
We pray that the mystery and wonder of your Ascension may give us a fresh perspective in this time of uncertainty and worry.
May we all be aware of your presence.
AMEN.
Ascended Lord,
We would have lingered on transfiguration mount, clung to you in the Easter Garden, been saddened by your Emmaus departure, and begged the Ascension skies never to close.
But you have taught us deeper truth: you are not absent, even in departure.
We give thanks that mountain-top resources lie waiting in the valley,
that you are as near in the busy streets as in the quiet garden,
that you are the guest at every meal,
and heaven has come down to earth, as one day earth may be as heaven.
Ascended Lord, travel with us.
AMEN.
O God,
help us to trust you,
help us to know that you are with us,
help us to believe that nothing can separate us
from your love
revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN
Guide us through these challenging times and help us to trust in your
direction for our lives.
We pray for the Christian Church in the parish of Cottingham.
Guide us in the months ahead as we prepare for a phased return as a congregation.
Open our minds and hearts that we may know your ways.
Lord hear our prayer.
Gentle God – when my heart beats heavy and I fear what lies ahead, uncloud my soul so that I may see you in the loving that surrounds me. When I am beyond my depth and cannot understand, help me to stand still within your pool of light, and simply be.
Lord, as I grow older, I find it is not easy any more remembering another person’s name. I try. I smile, shake hands and try so hard to register the name and fit it to the face. But give me half an hour – that’s wishful thinking, Lord, I only need two minutes – and I forget with startling efficiency. I am told by scientists it is not my fault, something to do with nerve cells in my brain and synapses that do not connect the way they used to. It can be quite embarrassing and sometimes, when I am told we have met before, I can dredge up no more than some vague recollection.
I thank you, Lord, that is not the way you look at me. You know my name. I have your promise that I am recognised and treasured. You know me for who I am. Not that I’ve any valid claim to recognition, but simply that your love embraces me without reserve. It is comforting as well to realise your memory’s reliable and that you will not forget. And Lord, I have just one last thing to say: whoever’s name I can forget with such facility, it’s never yours, and that’s a comfort.
AMEN
Read Acts 1 vs 6-14
Jesus had a central message to all his teaching, that is the coming of the Kingdom of God. John Taylor, the Baptist preacher, insisted that it was the message that undergirded the whole of Jesus teaching. But the coming of the Kingdom did not mean the same to his listeners at it did to Him. The Jews, as the chosen people, believed that they were destined for world domination. But their history showed that this little nation conquered by the Syrians, the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans could never conquer the whole world. So they began to look forward to the day when God would intervene in history and establish a world sovereignty and they would be in charge. They saw the coming Kingdom in political terms, not the vision that Jesus had. If we look at the Lord’s Prayer, His view is spelt out for us: “Thy Kingdom come; They will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”. This means that it is a Kingdom based on love and not on political power. The power that will bring in this Kingdom is the power of the Holy Spirit. That Spirit of God that in the beginning “hovered over the waters.” That third person of the Trinity that was made available to us in a special way at Pentecost. That Spirit that enables us to know, love and serve God.
Trevor Holborn
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Hull Deanery Synod Prayer Diary May 2020
Thu 21 | Lord, each of us is called to discipleship in one form or another. May we on this Ascension day and with the support of the Holy Spirit, witness your name throughout our communities and the world. We pray for the continuing work in the parish of ASCENSION and ST THOMAS. |
Fri 22
| Lord help us that the continuation of the Holy Spirit guides our thoughts, actions and daily life. May we grow in faith and trust as we glory in your name. |
Sat 23
| We pray for continuing support of all hospital staff who work effectively and efficiently together to care for patients and their loved ones. We pray for the Chaplaincy team as they support all in hospitals with the staff and patients. |
Sun 24 | Pentecost: Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, ignite in us your holy fire; strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your Church with the breath of love, and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
Mon 25 | For those in households where abuse has increased through the period of lockdown and whose suffering may be unknown to others, please bring help to them in their need. |
Tue 26 | In these difficult times we remember those who many years ago brought and established the Christian faith in England, particularly thinking today of St Augustine. |
Wed 27 | Thank you, loving God, that our faith is founded on you and your son, not on our buildings: we pray that this time out of our buildings will be a time of strengthening your true church-all believers. |
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Glad that I live am I
That the sky is blue.
Glad for the country lanes and the fall of dew.
After the sun the rain,
After the rain the sun.
This is the way of life 'til the work be done.
All that we need to do, be we low or high,
is to see that we grow nearer 'the sky ...
Lord, as I reflect on this childhood hymn, I am reminded of the pattern of life,
the recurring human experience, the high days and the low days
and I remember that it has more often been the most challenging times in my life
when I drew closer to you and learned more of your wisdom.
How much of your precious day do you invest in the past? Everything from your past, except wisdom and love has long since served its purpose. Witness what calls to you from yesterday, and why. The world lives and breathes, and we can draw its spirit into us. Think rolling waves, warm sun, wet grass, fresh earth, birds singing. Get into all the sensations of life today. You don't need a lengthy meditation to connect to nature – just draw it in.
NOT FORGOTTEN.
Even in our lockdown time was found to honour those who gave their lives to make VE Day possible 75 years ago.
Click here for the link to THE JOURNAL of The Diocese of York
