It’s been a difficult month for some of us and your prayers are very welcome. Please continue to lift Will and his family as they mourn the loss of his son Tim. The funeral will be on 9th September at 4:30pm. Spaces at the crematorium are limited but the service will be streamed live. If you’d like to watch the stream broadcast then I will make sure you get the details. Tim wasn’t at all religious, so it will not be a religious service, but it will be rich with stories from friends and family, a tribute to his life.
Please also pray for Nigel. A few weeks ago he was bitten by a mosquito, and despite a stay in hospital is going to lose some of the index finger on his left hand. His surgery is scheduled for Monday so please pray that they are able to save as much of the finger as they can. Both Nigel and Gerry would appreciate your prayers.
And I know that many of us have been suffering with ill health in one way or another. It’s not surprising when you think of the stress that the pandemic inevitably brings, and how badly the body reacts to stress over long periods. Being gentle with ourselves, and each other, is key.
Jesus spent much of his time away from others, alone in prayer. I have to admit that this conjures up pictures of Jesus on his knees, hands clasped together, fervently lifting his fears and concerns to God. And maybe that’s what he did. But I think it’s just as likely that he took a nice long walk on his own to enjoy God’s presence as revealed in nature, or that he meditated silently grounding himself in God’s presence, or that he simply took time out for himself – inviting God into that space. Whatever he did I would call it ‘self care’ as much as ‘prayer’. I do hope that you are following his example and taking care of you.
In other news we are still cautiously looking at options for a socially distanced get-togethers and worship services. It’s slow going as government guidelines seem to change weekly and we want to ensure that everyone is safe. I will let you know as soon as we do. Don’t forget that all the board minutes are available on our website, which includes the monthly pastoral report that has all my news as pastor from the past month.
I miss you so much. I miss your smiling faces and the hugs. I miss hearing you sing, I miss Simon’s cake and tea, I miss just being with you. I pray to God we get to meet together again soon.
Be safe out there. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love and blessings
Rev. Michael.
NEW Wednesday evening Study group.
When we began looking at the Gospel of Thomas I never imagined that we would take so long going through it. I thought it might take us about ten weeks, and instead it’s taken us twice as long to only get through a third of it!
So – a break.
We may come back to Thomas at some time in the future but for the next 20 weeks we’ll be offering something completely different.
DREAM, THINK, BE, DO,
…is a 20 week video based study from the Living with the questions course. The course is expensive (and rightly so, it’s very well crafted), but during the pandemic they are very generously offering it free of charge. Each week there is a 20 minute video (which has a good audio track for those of us who may be visually impaired) that will be a part of our Zoom conference call. There are intermittent breaks for conversation. The Zoom room will be open from 7pm – so if you’d like to check in and chat before hand it’d be lovely to catch up. The study itself will run from 7:30pm to 8:30pm.
If you would like to participate then just use the usual Zoom sign in and password. If you would like to explore the subjects in greater depth then there is a resource sheet to go with each week that has additional readings and study suggestions.
You can see the promo video HERE
You can download the accompanying resources HERE ( – just scroll down the page and click on Downloadable Discussion Questions.)
Whether you phone in, or use ZOOM on your device, I think you’ll find it a refreshing change and a wonderful insight into the work of some of the world’s most progressive Christian teachers.
See you there!
Rev. Michael.
? Community Prayers ?
A prayer for Will and his family.
Holy One, we lift Will and his family to your today. We ask that you comfort them in their grief, grant them that peace which surpasses understanding. Assure them of your love and help them to know that Tim is with you, embraced by your caring and nurturing Spirit, learning what it is to enjoy life in your realm. Smooth the way before them as they learn how to live with their pain. Be the healing of heaven’s music as your angels minister to them. Ground them in communities of love and support, surrounding them with your unfailing love. In the darkest of moments be the flame that cannot be extinguished, the hope that lives despite all reason, and the faith that is given freely to those who love you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
General prayers received via Facebook and email.
Lord, we commend to you all those we have lost during this time of pandemic; especially Tim, Peter, Vicky, Colin, Connie, Julie, Ian. We lift our broken hearts and everyone who has lost loved ones and are grieving.
We lift all those suffering in Beirut, who are mourning loved ones, coming to terms with life changing injuries, or homeless because of the disaster.
For healing We lift Nigel asking for success in his surgery and a speedy recovery; Caroline, Liz, Mark, Deacon Wendy, Tom and Nicki, Marian,Toni, Angie, James. and all those touched by the current pandemic.
We pray for Izzie, for Marie, Meena & Chris, Helen, Liz, and Nicholas; baby lunar, Karen, Sarah, and her son Kyron. Auriol and Eric. We lift Julie, Simon, Liz and all those who feel isolated.
We offer all of these prayers to you asking that,
in the light of your love,
and the consolation of your Grace,
your touch may be felt in the outpouring of your Holy Spirit.
Amen
Over the weeks you will have noticed special music in our Sunday service. Offerings of music continue to come in and I’m so grateful for everyone who is contributing. If you’d like to have something considered for inclusion please email me and let me know! Pastor@thevillagemcc.org. Thank you.
Worship with us on facebook HERE AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP YOUR CHURCH REACH OUT THEN PLEASE SHARE THE SUNDAY SERVICE ON FACEBOOK!
A Prayer from the MCC Council of Elders weekly call to prayer:
Holy Power of the Spirit among us
We praise your presence
Your power come
to cause goodness
as within me so also among us
Nurture us all
Forgive that I am imperfect
as I forgive the mistakes of others
And lead us to light again and again
and guide is in the darkness
For you are infinity
and joy and security
in eternity
Amen
PRAYER WRITTEN BY KATHARINA PAYK
MCC Vienna (Austria)
“MCC is for me – as a protestant theologian – the utopia version of my christian localization. That’s why we’ve just founded MCC in Vienna – a place where we can practice and pray most free as queer subjects.“
❤ Pastoral Care ❤Your pastoral Care team consists of the deacons, (Isla, Wendy, Charlie), and I. When the pandemic first broke we tried to reach out to everybody at least once a month. As time has gone on we have reduced our pastoral care calls to those who have either requested them or are at high risk. Of course we don’t want to miss anybody out so if you would like to connect then please give me a call. All pastoral care is offered confidentially and information is only shared outside the team when we consider someone to be in imminent danger. Information is shared within the team on a need to know basis so that we can coordinate care. Much love – Rev. Michael.
A Thank you from MCC North London for your donation.
Dear Rev. Michael and all at The Village,
Thank you so much for your generous gift of £665.00, and the love and thought that comes with it. As you know, many of our asylum seekers have been struggling since a lot of their regular funding has been cut, and online support is all very well but only if they can afford to access it! So your generosity will make so much difference, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Thinking of you all and praying for you,
Much love from Rev. Peta and everyone at MCC North London
A little note from Keith – The Village MCC treasurer
Giving to The Village MCC
‘The Village MCC’ is self-financing, we do not receive any central funding. If you would like to support the work we do, there are a number of ways to do so.
Regular giving:
If you would like to set up a regular monthly Payment to The “Village’ Church, which is the best way for us to budget for our work, Please email the treasurer at; thevillagemcc@outlook.com, you will then be sent the details of how to do this.
Single donation
If you wish to make a single donation You can send a direct payment from your bank account using the following details From the UK:
• Lloyds Bank
• sort code 77-91-29
• account number 40361660
• account name The Village MCC
• Please use the reference ‘Collection’ • Please also email the Treasurer at thevillagemcc@outlook.com to let them know to expect a payment.
• There is also a donate button on the Church Website at thevillagemcc.org if bank transfer is not possible.
If you do not have access to the internet, you can still make a donation with your debit card. Please email the Treasurer at; thevillagemcc@outlook.com to arrange a phone call to make this payment.