Mid-Week Joy - 16th June 2021

We start this weeks article with a welcome to Rev. Daniel Ramble who was licenced as the  new Area Dean of Oldham and Ashton on Sunday 6th June by Bishop David Walker.

As you will see from the photographs above, the licencing had to be done remotely via Zoom as Daniel is currently stranded in India because of the international travel restrictions that are in place. 

Many of us are now quite used to this technology for meetings and getting together with friends and relatives, but I have to admit it was somewhat amusing seeing 3 Bishops, an Archdeacon and various other officials all gathered around Bishop David's i-Pad. To add to the strangeness of the  occasion we also had to make a last minute change of room and locate somewhere that had a WiFi signal.  

Following his licensing meeting, Daniel was able to join the evensong service which was streamed live from Manchester Cathedral and included the licensing of other Area Deans and commissioning of Deanery Lay Chairs. 

When Daniel is able to travel back to the UK, he and his family will move into St. Thomas' vicarage and we look forward to welcoming them in person. In addition to his busy role as Area Dean, Daniel was also licenced as Assistant Curate for our parish of St.Thomas,Leesfield. 

Christian Aid Week Update

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the fund raising for Christian Aid Week in our parish and Churches Together In Lees and District. 

At a time when lot of people are finding things hard we managed to raise a total of  £604.49 across St. Thomas, St. Agnes, Springhead Congregational, Zion Methodist and St. John, Hey. 

In addition we raised £295 (plus £60 Gift Aid) via the 300,000 step sponsored walk Just Giving page. This makes a magnificent grand total of £959.49!

All the monies raised will go to making a real difference in countries like Kenya where extreme weather is making it harder and harder to survive. For communities fighting the climate crisis, every last drop of water matters and every last one of us can help them thrive. The coronavirus pandemic has only increased the urgent need for families to access a reliable source of water - so once again a heartfelt THANK YOU.

Prayer for Hope God's Creation

Great God,

Who makes the sun to rise, and opens the heavens

Hear the cry of the people

Who sow in hope for rain, but reap only despair

Hear the cry of the people

Seeking shelter from the storm, their hopes and homes

submerged

Hear the cry of the people,

When creation is hitting back, with rage and resistance

Give us hope, grant us salvation,

Give us a new relationship with creation

With reverence to tend this gift from You

And say once again of the earth and all you created

It is GOOD.

(Bob Kikuyu Global Theology Advisor, Christian Aid)

and finally.....

I leave you with a couple of pictures I took this morning of a busy bee collecting nectar from a bright red poppy...

 and a male and female bullfinch having breakfast together.

Enjoy the rest of the nice weather.

Paul