Sunday 2nd November
All Saints’ Sunday
Saturday 1st November
6:00 pm Holy Communion at Easton Neston
Sunday 2nd November
9:15 am Family Worship at St Lawrence, Towcester
10:15 am Benefice Sunday Worship via Zoom
11:15 am Holy Communion at St Bartholomew's, Greens Norton
3:00 pm All Souls' at St Bartholomew's, Greens Norton
4:00 pm All Souls' at St Lawrence, Towcester
Subscribe to our weekly Newsletter here.
Our weekly news contains details of services for this and next weekend, as well as daily bible readings, prayer requests and notices for forthcoming events.
Looking ahead to events and services that are happening please do look at the monthly calendar for November
Copies are available in churches for collecting especially for those who do not have emails.
Dear all,
King Charles has been out and about, as usual, making visits. This week he and Queen Camilla were garlanded as they celebrated the 30th anniversary of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, in west London, known as the Neasden Temple. A week or so ago the King and Queen were in Rome and that he prayed with the Pope generated a great deal of comment. And earlier in the month he visited Manchester to show his support to the Jewish community and those affected by the attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. King Charles has a genuine interest in faith and his own appears very important to him.
This country has a long tradition of being Christian. But today, in our changed world, that has changed. No longer is it common for children to be born into a family with a Christian background. Committing to Christianity is more likely to be a conscious decision.
Our faith journey is different from that of many of our great grand-parents. Today we are surrounded by many of a different culture and religion. So it is helpful to look at a few of the things that motivate them. For the Sikhs there is one God who is immortal, self-existent and compassionate. Sikhism is a family based faith with equality between men and women. All share in the same chores especially in working in the free-kitchen which is open to all.
Hinduism emphasises the way of living rather than following a creed. It encourages people to give their service to God and thus do their duty according to their ability and spiritual gifts. Ghandi went further and asked it your action will help the poorest and most helpless. In this life you get what deserve. There is no concept of a loving and forgiving God; no Emmanuel, God with us.
Buddhism asked why there is so much suffering in the world and found the answer was to do with wrong desire. Eliminating craving enabled suffering to be dealt with. The Buddha taught a middle way between asceticism and sensuality. Like Hinduism it believes in reincarnation.
For the Jains. Don’t kill any living thing, speak only the truth, do not take what is not given, live chaste lives, do not be attached to possessions
Islam is a religion not of peace but of submission; Confessing the faith – There is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet, prayer five times a day, fasting, almsgiving, pilgrimage. Duty to God is pre-eminent and after this life there is judgement.
Judaism from which Christianity evolved emphasises the unity of God who is committed to our care. For Jews the home is essential. That is where the faith is experienced, taught and handed on. The weekly Sabbath meal and the annual Passover meal remind them of their history of suffering and their call to be ‘a light to the world’.
The Baha’is draw on all faiths and work for the transformation of society with world peace.
If you want to know what being a Christian means with loving God and your neighbour and growing daily more like Jesus then come to church Sunday by Sunday.
With every Blessing
Greg
I've had a message from Annie Simpson 07554 150870 anniesimpson2957@gmail.
I'd also like to call attention to the various flyers below including:
The second Soup Sandwich and Chat, this coming Tuesday and the availability of Christmas lunch packs for those on their own.
The annual Explore Day is an information occasion for those who feel God may be inviting them to serve. It is open to everyone and is an opportunity to hear from people who have gone into new opportunities to serve God, Church and community and have the opportunity to meet others who are also wondering what God is inviting them to next.
Bishop Debbie has recorded a video inviting people Explore Day. Watch the video here.
https://www.peterborough-
Forthcoming Events
Worship for this coming week
Lectionary Readings: (these links will take you to Bible Gateway from the NRSV):
Isaiah 56: 3 – 8 Hebrews 12: 18 – 24 Matthew 5: 1 – 12
This week's Reflection by Revd Paula Challen entitled "For all the Saints..."
Zoom Services:
The meeting rooms are opened approx. 15mins before the service is due to start. All the liturgy for the service will be displayed on the screen.
- Sunday 10:15 am Benefice Sunday Worship
- Monday to Saturday 9:00 am Morning Prayer (except on the first Tuesday of each month)
Benefice Office Hours
Monday to Friday
9:30 am to 1:00 pm
01327 350459
tovebeneficeoffice@gmail.com
Key Ministry Team Contacts
The Rev'd Paula Challen (Rector) rector.tovebenefice@gmail.com
The Rev'd Greg Roberts (Associate Priest) TheRevdGregRoberts@
The Rev'd Nigel Clent (Assistant Curate) tovecurate@gmail.com
Sarah Barnett (Children and Families Leader) tovefamilies@gmail.com
