Wednesday 17 April 2024

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It was a great joy to celebrate Easter with you and to have such a full church with so many young people. We have just returned from the UK where we had a good break seeing family and friends.

Olivia Long
While we were away we did, however, hear the very sad news of the tragic death of Olivia Long, who died suddenly on April 4th of natural causes. Many of you will remember Olivia as she attended St Ursula's as a child and was confirmed here. The family are all utterly devastated by her loss, as are many of her friends. Please keep Olivia's parents, Querida and Markus, and her brother Sam, in your prayers. There will be a Memorial Service at St Ursula's in due course.

Dorothy Beriger's Memorial Service
The service of thanksgiving for Dorothy's life will be held at St Ursula's on Thursday 25th April at 1.30pm. Thank you to those of you who have already let us know you are coming. There will be a large number of people. If you are still hoping to come, please let the office know by Friday 19th.

Lectio Divina
We meet online on Thursday mornings, 10.30-11.15am, to meditate on a short passage of Scripture and then share our reflections together. Everyone is welcome to join us. Ask me for the Zoom link.

Church this Sunday
I hope to see many of you on Sunday, when the theme of our service will be Jesus, the Good Shepherd. This Sunday we also have the first meeting of our new teenager group during the service. Please do pray for this group for 11-16 year olds and for James Morgan and Sandra Estrada Peter as they lead it.

Reflection
As we remember Olivia and Dorothy and pray for their families, let us also pray for Allison Masciadri whose mother, Sheila, has recently died. We pray in the confidence which the message of Easter offers us. I include below some passages of scripture and prayers which seem particularly apt at this time.

'The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.' (Deuteronomy 33:27)

'The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his compassion never fails: every morning they are renewed.' (Lamentations 3:22-23)

'Surely your goodness and loving-kindness will follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.' (Psalm 23:6)

Father in heaven, you gave your Son Jesus Christ to suffering and to death on the cross, and raised him to life in glory. Grant us a patient faith in time of darkness, and strengthen our hearts with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort: deal graciously, we pray, with those who mourn, that casting their care on you they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grant us, Lord, the wisdom and the grace to use aright the time that is left to us here on earth. Lead us to repent of our sins, the evil we have done and the good we have not done; and strengthen us to follow the steps of your Son, in the way that leads to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

With love in Christ,
Helen