June Newsletter
Dear friends of St Cyprian’s
WE have celebrated Easter, the Ascension and Pentecost in a most unusual fashion. June brings us the Feast of Corpus Christi a most important festival in a time when we can only receive Communion Sacramentally.
'Christ is present in the Eucharist, in the sacrament of His death and resurrection. In and through the Eucharist, we acknowledge the dwelling-place of the Living God in human history. For the Eucharist is the Sacrament of the Love which conquers death. It is the Sacrament of the Covenant, the pure Gift of Love for the reconciliation of all humanity. It is the gift of the Real Presence of Jesus the Redeemer, in the bread which is, by faith, His Body given up for us, in the wine which is, by faith, His Blood poured out for all." (John Paul ll)
Weekday Services.
In addition to Morning Prayer at 8:00 am Monday – Friday, Evening Prayer is said each day at 6:00pm, Mass is said on Wednesdays at 12 noon. I hope you might be able to join us as you are able. Our Sunday Parish Mass is at 10:30 am.
Restoration of public Worship.
St Cyprian’s PCC met recently and amongst the topics discussed was the reinstatement of public worship. This is a difficult subject as the guidelines are not altogether clear. In one measure that’s good because we can employ common sense; the one thing we must not do is to put anyone at risk, however anxious we might be to get back into the church building.
It is our hope to restart public worship next Sunday, the 5th of July. What this will look like at this point is not entirely clear, but we are hopeful, given that it is the Dedication Festival of St Cyprian’s building to be able to have some sort of service and also to stream that service. We will keep in contact with you by email and will endeavour to telephone anyone that we know that does not have access to a computer. If you know of anyone who falls into this category please let Fr. Michael or Simon, or the wardens know.
Prayers for Palestine.
Special prayers will be offered for the people of Palestine at this time. Israel is set to annex a great deal of Palestine land in 3 days, violating international law and ending the possibility of freedom for the Palestinian state.
Let us pray for the people of Israel and Palestine at this time; please write to your Member of Parliament encouraging our government to make representation to the Israeli government to stop this unlawful action. Please write also to the Abp of Canterbury to ask why the voice of the C of E is so silent.
‘And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?’
(Micah 6:8)
Mr John Blackburne
Today 28th, is John’s last Sunday with us fulfilling the many roles that he has undertaken over the past four years. We will miss his energy and commitment to the life of our church. Whilst John’s ordination has been postponed until Michaelmas (full details will follow) he is to be licensed as a Lay Worker on July 1 and will be deployed to All Saints, Notting Hill and St Michael’s, Ladbroke Grove (his title parishes). We all wish John, God’s speed in this new and exciting time in his life, please remember him in your prayers and also the clergy and peoples of the parishes where he will serve. We will organise a farewell reception for him when things are back to normal.
Churchwarden.
I am delighted to say that Sarah Daniels has, following on from the resignation of John Blackburne, agreed to let her name go forward for election to the post of Churchwarden as soon as elections can be held.
What do think?
Our Churchwardens have asked me to solicit your views on two important questions?
1. What are you currently missing about Church as it was before COVID-19 and how do you suggest that we seek to recover it?
2. What are you liking most about Church as we have been experiencing it during COVID-19 and how do you suggest that we seek to retain it?
Please would you give attention to these questions to enable us to reflect upon the past and plan for the future. Please send your replies to the Parish email address: stcyprians@gmail.com, and not to me, please feel free to be as frank as you think necessary, without being brutal:-)?
Financial support.
I am so grateful to all who have supported us financially at this difficult time. If you wish to help further, please make a donation here via ‘give a little’
If you prefer to make a bank transfer the details of our bank account are: NatWest plc., Baker Street Branch. Sort Code: 56-00-14. Account: St Cyprian’s Parochial Council. Account Number: 12138126
Only God will Save Us: The Nature of God and the Christian Life- Fr Simon Cuff
Fr Simon’s new book Only God will Save Us: The Nature of God and the Christian Life is released at the end of June and is now available to pre-order at a reduced price (here.)
A launch event ‘Image and Impassibility’ will take place online via Zoom on Wednesday 15th July 6.30pm - 8pm with an introduction to the book by Fr Simon, a response by Jane Williams, a short talk on the pastoral importance of God’s impassibility (one of the themes of the book) by Sr Ann Swailes (Cambridge University) and an introduction to ‘Bookworks' a new series of artworks by the artist who provided the cover image, Anne Grebby (formerly Professor of Fine Art, Sheffield Hallam) taking inspiration from a hymn of Teilhard de Chardin. Please bring your own glass of warm white wine.
To avoid disappointment may we suggest you book a place online (free), demand for tickets will be high!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/only-god-will-save-us-image-impassibility-of-the-invisible-god-tickets-98188236659
Reverend Gerald Reddington.
Fr Gerald Reddington recently died, peacefully, after a long illness. Fr Reddington was a good friend to St Cyprian’s and would travel from the Isle of White, his retirement home, regularly on Sundays to celebrate the Mass. We send out love and prayers to his family. May he rest in Peace.
Spiritual Direction.
Do you ever feel the need to actually make an effort to deepen your spiritual life? You ought to consider a Spiritual Director. Spiritual Accompaniment or direction is about meeting with a spiritual director, accompanier or guide, to share your thoughts and reflections about your faith and your life in the light of that. Some people experience spiritual direction while on times of retreat and others choose to meet with a spiritual director regularly throughout the year. If so you will usually meet with your spiritual director every 6—8 weeks for about an hour. Have a word with me if you might be prepared to take a chance!
Some words of Saint Mother Teresa:
‘When you look at a crucifix you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Eucharist you understand how much Jesus loves you now!’
