we had a great lunch at the Isis. Thanks!
community-gossip
Gossip? In Old English, a “godsibb” was a godmother or godfather, from “god” plus “sib,” meaning “relative” (related to our modern “sibling”). It was later used to refer to companions in childbirth – people from the community who were there in difficult and celebratory times…
Loverly Lunch!!!
Easter
Palm Sunday
sunday 17 april – 10:30am-3:30pm – all age mini-retreat
Upton Room, All Saints Convent
Good Friday
friday 22 april – time and place tbc – walk and then hot cross buns
If God is Love then maybe…
An evening community meal in our poetry cycle we explored our hopes in God through poetry. Conversations were shared, and the output ranged from beautiful to barmy!
If God is Love then maybe…
My four grandchildren will grow and grow
and reach their full potential with great joy
If God is love, then maybe all children will be valued
whether girl or boy
equality’s a word too small for living in God’s kingdom
value given quite at random
O yes! I see them walking slightly
On God’s Earth they share with all that lives and moves,
in joy, in joy!
If God is love then maybe
If God is Love then maybe…
we could have a Magnum every day
with no concern for over consumption or weight gain
they would creep up the night like Father Christmas,
open the freezer door and snick-in, like children to bed.
Waiting expectantly for the next day, when they meet their destiny.
If God is Love then maybe…
children will grow to their full potential,
fully responsible; fully imaginative,
creativity in uniqueness; breaking the rules,
respecting no limits to being creative in community;
it’s all prayer.
If God is Love then maybe…
we know love, too.
An inheritance webbed in forgotten value,
re-awakened; daring and daunting.
If God is Love then maybe…
the loving will see God
will gaze into the warm light
with whole reassurance
that they were right; love was right
more absolute than gravity or speed of light.
love was right
love is right
relief, fear of absence no more
the darkness put out with their tiny strong light.
If God is Love then maybe…
wars can be left on hold;
we can listen to greensleeves while waiting for the operator
to declare harmony down the windy clockwork phone
war is so over,
war is so last year
tweet it, tweet it big: God love is.
Chapel Painting
Had a fun time on Saturday painting Bethlehem Chapel. Worked through the day fueled by tea, biscuits and enthusiasm. Thanks everyone. Sister Jean was really appreciative!
Beatitude Prayers
Prayers we’ve written for the Chalgrove Taize service, 5:30pm, Sun 26th Sept 2010.
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit or blessed are those who realise their need.
When we think we are strong are we really strong? Sometimes at our lowest we confront our vulnerability and the vulnerability of others is revealed to us. There can be a clarity that is lacking when all is going well and we are being carried along by a busy life.
When the rat race spits us out and drops us to the floor then we begin to understand. We feel the despair of the world. We remember the despair of Christ Jesus at his lowest hour.
Blessed are the poor in spirit.
2. Lord we pray for those who mourn at this time.
For those who mourn the past. We pray you would inspire hope for the future.
Where words and needs have been left undone help us to accept what we cannot change and give us strength to change that which we can.
3. Lord we give thanks and ask for blessings upon those who give silently and often unnoticed by society.
For the carers, nurses, teachers, parents and others who give their lives over to helping those around them.
We pray also for those who commit humbly to a life of prayer.
We thank you for the love shared by these people for the benefit of those around them.
For this we thank you and ask your blessing.
4. We consider what our lives would be like if we did not have enough to eat, if we went to bed every night without knowing where tomorrow’s meals would come from.
We pray for people for whom this is reality.
Help grow in us a hunger and thirst for justice for the poor and hungry around the world.
In silence we think of or say aloud situations of concern in the world.
5. We pray for a harvest of mercy:
- we pray for mercy for all victims and their abusers
- we pray for mercy within all damaged family relationships
- we pray for mercy to heal nations torn apart by civil war
Lord, help us to be merciful.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.
We thank you for the everyday saints that live among us.
Mother figures and Father figures who hold our community together.
For the principles who campaign unrelentlessly for justice.
For those who speak up for the forgotten, take the hand of the lost child.
For those that are an inspiration and lead by example.
Blessed are the pure in heart.
7. We pray for peace. Jesus, Prince of Peace:
We pray for your peace to be planted, take root and grow in our own hearts and minds.
We pray for your peace to be planted, take root and grow in industrial relationships.
We pray for your peace to be planted, take root and grow in all areas of the world blighted by war.
We pray for your peace to be planted, take root and grow in conflicts between human resource needs and natural habitats.
Lord help us to be peace-makers and in this way to be your true children.
8. Lord we thank you that in this country we can meet to worship you without fear of imprisonment or death. We know that in many countries our Christian brothers and sisters do not have this luxury.
We pray for those for whom being a Christian is a dangerous reality.
We pray for those who are persecuted daily in your name and pray forgiveness for their persecutors.
Poetry cycle
This cycle we’re planning to use poetry and poems as the focus of our discussions, always aiming to build each other up in faith, and support each other in creating community.
Week 1
thurs 16th sept Cara hosting – bring your favourite Peoms!
sun 19th sept community conversation at the Mish 10:30am
Week 2
thurs 23 sept Ali & Debs hosting – Taize preparation
sun 26th sept Taize service at St Mary’s Chalgrove
Week 3
thurs 30 sept – hosted by Ginny – resource by Cara
sat 2 oct painting the chapel! details tbc
Week 4
thurs 7 oct Toby hosting
sun 10 oct 3pm Bury Knowle park
Week 5
thurs 14th oct Andrea hosting in Thame
sun 17th oct John & Emma – 11am South Park
mon 18th oct – Guardian’s meeting at Sam and Dave’s
Week 6
thurs 21 oct Rich n Tracey hosting
sun 24 oct could Sam / Dave sort something out? tbc!
Thurs 5th Aug: The silent land
This Thursday we ate our meal in silence before moving onto our night prayer. It was a tranquil and reflective experience. So amazing watching how peaceful the children could be. Thanks to everyone for going along with it.
Here are some comments from the evening…
- in peace we are allowed to be
- love the noises usually drowned out – cutlery on plates
- praying to God thinking about new life
- more togetherness and cooperation – less noise and less of the unnessecary
- be still and know that I am God – Psalms
- words are the net that hold us together but without the net we can swim free in the sea
- when you pray, go to your private room and, when you have shut the door, pray to your father who is in that secret place, and your father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you. Mt 6:6
Sun 1st Aug: The Breath of God
…
Then the lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7
…
“God has given to the earth the breath which feeds it. It is his breath that gives life to all things. And if he were to withhold his breath, everything would be annihilated. His breath vibrates in yours, in your voice. It is the breath of God that you breathe – and you are unaware of it”
Theophilus of Antioch
A closing blessing…
Make space
To hear an ancient rhythm
Learn a well loved dance
Sing a cherished song
Make space
Discover a wisdom filled story
Entertain generation old tales
Illuminate neglected images.
Make space
Explore the mysterious familiar
Study the hazel nut lines
Stare in disbelief at natures intricacy
Make space
Monasticism recycled, revamped, respected.
This seven-week cycle we’re looking at various monastic practices. How can they shape us as a very different type of community?
Throughout the cycle we’ll be keeping Saturdays free for Greenbelt preparation.
Week 1
Thurs 22 July. Kate/Andrea hosting community meal in Thame. Resource by Cara.
Sun 25 July. Worship gathering 10:30 South Park. Facilitator needed!
Week 2
Thurs 29 July. Hosts Sam, Dave & Ariane. Resource needed!
Sun 1 August. 2pm Worship in Bury Knowle park. Facilitator Toby
Week 3
Thurs 5 August. Community meal hosted at Toby’s. Resource needed!
Sun 8 August. No gathering this Sunday.
Week 4
Thurs 12 August. Hosted at Tracy, Rich & d’boyz house. Resource needed!
Sun 15 August. 10:30 at Mish for Greenbelt run-through.
Week 5
Thurs 19 August. Conversation with Sister Margeret Anne. Fr Chris, Mum Rachel, Princess Niamh and Toddler Ezra have stepped in to host – thanks guys!
Sun 22 August. Bethlehem Chapel 7pm – facilitator needed and Fr David can no longer preside over Eucharist.
Week 6
Week 7
nofing – invite some friends to dinner this week 
