Tidenham Parish Church

Thank you everyone for the fun, laughter and fellowship this morning at the monthly Parish Coffee Morning 🙂❤ # # #

All three churches in the Parish are open daily between 9am and 5pm for private prayer and contemplation throughout the 12 days of mourning for the late Queen Elizabeth II. 🙏

A little extra info' about the Parish picnic, Sunday July 17th.
We would love to see you at or after the service at St. Luke's on the 17th July ( School field) for a Parish picnic, Please bring your own picnic and chair/rug AND bring a teddy (if you have one, don't be shy!!!!) and enter them in to the Teddy Fancy dress competition.
We have hired a bouncy castle and will endeavour to run some games for the more energetic amongst you.
Do keep an eye on the weather. The time of the picnic will change to 1,30pm in St. Luke's if it is raining.

Click below to find out about the vacancy for the Tidenham Parish Administrative Assistant Role
https://www.tidenhamparishchurch.co.uk/blog/2021/10/05/parish-administrative-assistant-post/

Another exciting job opportunity with Tidenham Parish... part time Wellbeing Chaplain. More details available from the website https://www.tidenhamparishchurch.co.uk/contact-us/wellbeing-chaplain/

We are approaching the £1,000 mark on the crowdfunding page. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/wellbeing-chaplain
Who will take us over the threshold? Thank you to all those who have already donated. Please spread the word.

Wellbeing Chaplain to serve & bless the community To employ a Wellbeing Chaplain to minister to individual and community holistic wellbeing in Tidenham parish with a focus on Sedbury.

Here's a great job opportunity for anyone with a a passion for working with children, youth and families and a desire to work with the church and local faith community.

St Luke's Church is open this week during the day 9am - 4.30pm, for private prayer. There are also some displays set up around the building to inspire and guide your prayers based on the events of Holy Week.

There will be services on Weds between 10.30am - 1pm and Friday 1.30-3pm for which you will need to book a place with [email protected], but otherwise you are welcome to drop-in at any time to benefit from the tranquil atmosphere and draw close to God.

As we ease out of lockdown the Chaplaincy Chatroom will resume at Sedbury Space on Thursdays. If you are in need of supportive company, a listening ear or a forum to chat about life and faith and the offer of prayer, then pop along between 1.30-3.30pm.

The Scarecrow Trail is back!

Support Fair Trade and share the Easter story with this delicious Easter Egg.
https://meaningfulchocolate.co.uk/pages/real-easter-egg-campaign

Real Easter Egg Campaign Out of the 80 million chocolate Easter eggs sold each year in the UK The Real Easter Egg is the only Fairtrade one with a copy of the Easter story in the box.

The countdown to our daily Lenten reflections has started on Instagram. Follow us here to take part and to see other background posts about Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday etc

We rejoice at the successful roll out of the COVID vaccination programme.

Gloucester Diocese has partnered with Christian Aid to make a way for people to express their gratitude and to pass on the sense of blessing by making a donation to the Coronovirus Appeal which is helping vulnerable communities around the world in the face of the pandemic.

If you would like to know more or make a donation in thanksgiving for your vaccination follow this link:
https://www.gloucester.anglican.org/2021/generosity-in-thanksgiving-for-vaccinations/

Follow us on Instagram for the 40 days of Lent, to receive a daily verse of Scripture and short reflection encouraging us to notice God in the ordinary and everyday things of life.

Monday 1st March, an opportunity to discuss matters of life and faith online via zoom. A one-off evening hosted by Ethan Richards and Revd Janice Hamilton, with an invitation to bring your questions and share some thoughts, with a short video to stimulate conversation.

More details to follow.

Send a message if you're interested to know more.

Message from Bishop Robert (Bishop of Tewkesbury)...

"For so many it is quite clear that this, lockdown 3, is the hardest. In part I suspect this is because we are approaching a year since the beginning of the pandemic and know the reality of living with the restrictions on our lives and our freedoms and just how tiring this is. I suspect also, this time it is because there is the promise of something better with the roll out of the vaccine, but even while it is happening around us we are being told, very clearly, with the pressure on our hospitals, with so many ill and indeed dying, we must wait, keep to the guidance, maintain distancing, and live with the social and economic implications for a bit longer. The future looks better and indeed is here in the vaccine, but it is also not yet. It’s really tough,

"As Christians we are in many ways used to living with this paradox. Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom, God’s reign is one of justice, mercy and peace, and yet this also is not yet. We are to be Kingdom people, people of deep hope and confidence in the power of God made visible in the love of Christ yet engaged in the reality of life. Life in all its fullness is to be lived in the midst of the mess of life into which Jesus Christ is born, and lives, and dies, and rises, conquering the darkness.

"Its OK therefore for us to acknowledge to ourselves and others how hard this time is, recognising that doing so also sets us free to look with expectancy to what is to be and then to live well, abundantly, now.

"I therefore suggest we have a vitally important role to play as Christians gathered in the church for our nation and world, to weep with God’s people, to encourage each other, to run the race. We know how easily negative words sow doubt and distrust, but as Kingdom people, we are called to speak positively and point to the places it breaks through, in the care and service we see in others, in hospitals, schools, the places of our daily lives. This is especially important in encouraging others to accept the gift of the vaccine. My 82-year-old father in law has received his with enthusiasm and delight. You will know others who have had theirs. I will patiently wait my turn and when it comes, take it with deep thankfulness for those who have enabled it. We need to tell, indeed it is vital that we tell, this story of light in darkness, to our friends and our neighbours especially those who may be nervous or afraid.

"'Encourage one another, build each other up', [the Apostle] Paul reminds us. Kingdom people with a purpose who know life. The Life I, and Bishop Rachel, give thanks for in you, that we share in our Diocese."
+Robert

With prayers and every blessing,



"

Samaritans are turning 18th January, previously known as 'Blue Monday', into 'Brew Monday' and encouraging us all to make an effort to connect with someone during these difficult days of isolation.
Find out more here
https://www.samaritans.org/wales/support-us/campaign/brew-monday/

Here's the link to the beautiful song 'Mary did you know?' sung by Pentatonix which I referred to in my Christmas Eve message this evening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE

[Official Video] Mary, Did You Know? - Pentatonix NEW ALBUM ‘THE BEST OF PENTATONIX CHRISTMAS’ OUT NOW!BUY: https://smarturl.it/bestofPTXmas?IQid=ytSTREAM: https://smarturl.it/bestofPTXmas?IQid=yt A PENTATO...

Worship for Christmas:
Today, Christmas Eve - 3.30pm Family outdoor worship at St Luke's
9pm Communion at St Luke's, Tutshill, - also going online
11.15pm Communion at St Mary's, Tidenham

Tomorrow Christmas Day - 9am Communion at St Mary's Tidenham
10am Family outdoor worship at St Luke's, Tutshill
Online Christmas message from 9am on YouTube 'Tidenham Parish Online Church' featuring a virtual congregation singing 'O Come all ye faithful'.

N.B. For all indoor services, due to COVID restrictions places are limited, so please book a place by e-mailing [email protected]

No services on 27th Dec.

Revd Janice Hamilton will be hosting the 'Chaplaincy Chatroom' at Sedbury Space on Thurs 24th Dec, but for a shorter time 1.30-2.30pm. You are welcome to drop in for a chat, a listening ear, or a prayer, especially to de-stress before Christmas and help regain perspective.
N.B. There will be no chatroom on 31st Dec. However, you can send a prayer request via the private messaging facility on this page which will be treated confidentially.

A Rockin' Christmas Carol by our very own multi-talented AW

Joy To The World Rocky version of the Christmas classic.

Really excited about this evening's Community Carols and Christmas Quiz with over 30 community groups, organisations and businesses taking part. Join the premier broadcast on Youtube at 7pm this evening to be able to interact via the chat.
Direct link: https://youtu.be/uBdddaLbDiY

We're preparing for our big night of community carols on Tuesday 22nd Dec at 7pm. Lots of activities for all ages including trivia, riddles, spot the star and jokes. Contributions from schools and pre-schools, businesses and community groups and services. Join in with the interactive premier on our Youtube channel 'Tidenham Parish Online Church'.

Follow the I-Spy Nativity Trail from Toast Tutshill to St Luke's Church. What can you spot along the way that will help to retell the Advent Story?

You can download a Trail Map from our websitehttps://www.tidenhamparishchurch.co.uk/files/uploads/Nativity-Trail-Map.pdf