Trinity Sunday News
A very warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael's. A special welcome and thanks to Fr Paul, our celebrant this morning, who will also kindly be saying Mass for us on Thursday at 10.30 am. If you are new to St Michael's, do join us in the Vestry Hall after the service, so that we can welcome you properly.
Thursday, June 8th, is the Feast of Corpus Christi, when we thank God especially for His gift to us of the Holy Eucharist. Of course we also commemorate this, with thanksgiving, on Maundy Thursday, but on that day the Passion of the Lord is already at the forefront of our minds, and it's good to give thanks again as we contemplate this mystery bathed in the light of His glorious Resurrection and Ascension. Thursday's 10.30 Mass will be a special Corpus Christi one; please come if you possibly can.
Saturday, June 10th, is the Richborough Family Day for this diocese – a chance for Resolution parishes, including our own, to gather at Canterbury Cathedral to express our gratitude for the ministry of Bishop Norman, who will be retiring at Easter 2024. Bishop Norman's pastoral concern and support for all his parishes, scattered over a challengingly wide area, has always been noteworthy, but was particularly appreciated by his clergy during the pandemic, when he kept in regular touch with them all via Zoom. Let's make a special effort to see that St Michael's is well represented on Saturday, when Bishop Norman will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral at 12 noon. Bring a picnic lunch to eat in the cloister afterwards. Proceedings will finish around 3.15 pm after a few words of reflection from the Bishop. Could you offer a lift, or could you have a word with someone who might offer one to you? NB parking at the Cathedral is permitted only in special cases; please allow plenty of time to use the Park & Ride or to find a space in one of the city car parks.
“As I was going to Strawberry Fair…..” That's what we'll all be doing at St Michael's on July 1st, 2 pm-4.30 pm. Please encourage any friends, neighbours and relations to come too, for a luscious strawberry tea plus some fun (raffle, tombola, craft stall…..) If you are not yet booked to help with something – baking, setting-up, serving, clearing away, displaying posters….? - do speak to Sara (in person or on 07837 919761). She also welcomes offers of tombola items (children's or grown-ups'), craft items, and any bright ideas for additional money-making and amusement.
Fr Derek Mottershead, now convalescing at home after surgery, thanks members of St Michael's for their prayers and good wishes. He is full of appreciation for the excellent care he has received from the NHS.
READERS' LIST FOR JUNE
Apologies for the late appearance of this list. If unable to read on the day listed, please try to make an arrangement with another reader or speak to Eleanor. Please, where possible, can both readers try to arrive beside the lectern at the same time, and return to their seats at the same time?
Sunday June 4th: OT Mike Trout, NT William Danes-Volkov
Sunday June 11th: OT Catherine Garland, NT Katja Svarts
Sunday June 18th: OT Margaret Gatehouse, NT Alison Heywood
Sunday June 25th: OT Paul Jones, NT Eleanor Relle
Thank you to Paul, Martyn and Margaret for the effective tidying session that took place in church on Friday.
Future welcomes:
On July 11th we look forward to welcoming Jubilee School for their Leavers' Service.
On August 13th we look forward to a visit from Archdeacon Andrew Sewell, who has kindly accepted an invitation to preach for us.
Welcome back to Malcolm, who visited his historic trolleybus in Doncaster last weekend; and thank you to Martyn, who kindly provided recorded music in his absence.