Day for Life – Sunday 29th July 2012

'Use your body for the glory of God' 1 Corinthians 6:20

Every year on the last Sunday in July, the Church in England and Wales gathers together for  'Day for Life'. 
Day for Life invites us to show respect for the dignity of our body in every moment of its existence, from conception to natural death. We also remember in our prayers all those in authority who care for and nurture life.  
There will be a second collection in parishes to support Day for Life. Proceeds of the collection will be used to support the Anscombe Bioethics Centre and other life-related activities supported by the Church.

Day for Life Prayer

I thank you Lord for the precious gift of my body.
Whatever its strengths or limitations;
whatever it brings me in terms of joy or suffering, help me always to see it as your gift.

As I run the race of life, help me to have a healthy attitude to my body
and a reverence for its part in my eternal future.
Help me to give glory to you by treating my body and the body of others,
with care and respect.

As I marvel at the wonder of all of your Creation,
may the whole human family work together to protect creation
and especially the precious gift of human life, from conception to natural death.

Enable us by your grace to promote the well-being and dignity of every person,
serving you and the Gospel of life in a spirit of generosity, faith and love,
through Christ Jesus Our Lord.

Amen.

New Foodbank Scheme



'Feed the hungry’ is what Jesus told us to do!
Many in the UK are now going hungry - for some it is now a question of ‘heat or food?’, pay the mortgage or food?’. Some children are going to school hungry. We can help!

The foodbank for Yate, Chipping Sodbury and surrounding area provides emergency, nutritionally balanced, non-perishable meals for 3 days to those people in short term crisis.   This can be provided two or three times to allow longer term fixes to be established by the appropriate services. It is an invaluable service, removing people's worry of feeding their families whilst their problems are sorted out.

The crisis can be the result of many things such as benefit delay/withdrawal, separation, unexpected bills (car breakdown, heating failure or even just the winter fuel bill), debt, bereavement, redundancy, etc.

A box will be permanently in the Church Porch for donations of TINNED, DRIED AND UNPERISHABLE FOOD WELL WITHIN IT’S SELL BY DATE. This will be taken to a ‘foodbank’ in Station Road, Yate  where a specially trained team will sort and distribute it. 

Could we have volunteers please to transport the food to Yate either on a Tuesday 2-4pm or Friday 10am-12 noon. Please contact Pat Mallin or Claire Westbury if you are able to help.

Click here for further details of the foods required or go to the foodbank website at  http://yatechippingsodbury.foodbank.org.uk/

Parish Retreat 2012

Please click here for a synopsis of this year's Parish Retreat held on Saturday, 23rd June at the Monastery of Our Lady and St. Bernard, Brownshill.


The theme of the day for reflection was 'Could you spot the Holy Spirit?'


The next Parish Retreat will be held in the autumn. Watch this space or check the weekly newsletter for more information you are welcome to come along!

Listen to Deacon John's Homily

Deacon John's homily for this Sunday (14th Sunday in Ordinary Time B) titled 'Faith, Weakness and God's strength' is now available.


Please click here to read it or to listen to it as a podcast on iTunes click here