 On 31 August the Church remembers Saint Aidan, Bishop, known as the Northern Missionary and first Abbot of Lindisfarne – also known as Holy Island.
But who was Saint Aidan? Saint Aidan
0 Comments
 On 30 August the Church remembers John Bunyan (1688) spiritual writer, best known for his book The Pilgrim’s Progress.
But who was John Bunyan? John Bunyan  On 28 August the Church remembers Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis (354-430), better known as Augustine of Hippo. He was a Bishop, philosopher, theologian, mystic, poet, pastor, preacher and teacher of the faith. He is the patron saint of brewers, printers, theologians, and a number of cities and dioceses. He is remembered as the greatest of the Christian Church Fathers. More than any other writer, he developed what would become known as systematic theology, or an explanation of how Christianity fits into views of the universe, creation, and humankind’s relationship with God.
 Baptist minister, Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his celebrated “I Have A Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC on 28 August 1963 to crowds of over 250,000. It helped spur the passage of the US Civil Rights Act of 1964. On the 60th Anniversary of this legendary speech, it’s worth reminding ourselves of King’s words, and the relevance they have for today’s world, by reading the full transcript of his speech below.
Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have A Dream”  On 20 August the Church remembers William and Catherine Booth, founders of the Salvation Army. But who were William and Catherine Booth?
William and Catherine Booth  On 14 August the Church remembers Maximilian Kolbe (1894 – 1941) a Polish Catholic Priest and Franciscan, who was put to death in a Nazi concentration camp because of his faith. But who was Maximilian Kolbe?
Maximilian Kolbe  On 13 August the Church remembers Florence Nightingale, nurse, social reformer and known as ‘The Lady of the Lamp’.
But who was Florence Nightingale? Florence Nightingale I’ve just noticed that I’ve had over 250,000 hits on my website revpacman.com since I set this up in June 2016 when I was recovering from surgery and feeling a little bored.
Thank you to everyone who has viewed my posts (currently at number 825) and enjoyed my random thoughts on Faith, Music, Sport, Theatre and anything else which I may have wanted to wax lyrical about. Be blessed! 250,000 Hits!  On the 9 August the church celebrates the founding of the Mother’s Union by Mary Sumner, a Rector’s wife, who first convened a meeting of the mothers of Old Alresford, Hampshire in 1876. Many of you may not know about the MU, as they are affectionately known, but they boast some 4 million members in 83 countries worldwide. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was the patron for many years.
The Mothers’ Union  On 8 August the Church remembers Dominic de Guzmán (1221) also known as Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominican Friar’s).
For a Christian to live one’s life entirely consumed by Christ, to be united with Him in prayer, to have the Name of Jesus always on one’s lips, might seem an impossible ideal. And yet, we know of great men and women throughout history who have lived up to that ideal more or less closely. One of these was Dominic de Guzman, a contemporary of Saint Francis of Assisi, who, like Francis, tried to conform his life to the model of Jesus Christ. But who was Dominic de Guzmán? Dominic de Guzmán  Henri Nouwen said: “Through prayer we enter into God’s compassionate heart.” He goes on to say: “Prayer is far from sweet and easy. Being the expression of our greatest love, it does not keep pain away from us. Instead it makes us suffer more since our love for God is a love for a suffering God and our entering into God’s intimacy is entering into the intimacy where all human suffering is embraced in divine compassion. To the degree that our prayer has become the prayer of our heart we will love more and suffer more, we will see more light and more darkness, more grace and more sin, more of God and more of humanity. To the degree that we have descended into our heart and reached out to God from there, solitude can speak to solitude, deep to deep and heart to heart. It is there where love and pain are found together.”
We have set up a WhatsApp Prayer Request Group. Members of the different congregations can ask for prayer on WhatsApp and members of the group will pray for them. But you do not have to be a member of the group to request prayer. As prayer is answered, you can also update the group. In a small community, where many of us know each other, it is so important to remember that these requests are private and may be very personal. They are confidential. We need to treat them sensitively and not discuss them with each other. It often takes great courage to even admit to needing prayer or telling anyone that there is something wrong in our life. It is a privilege that we are entrusted with. You will not be required to post your prayers online. This is a really important ministry and may suit those of you who, for whatever reason, cannot serve more actively. Most important is a heart like His for those afraid, anxious, suffering or in any kind of pain. My hope and prayer is that God might eventually allow this group to develop into a Healing Prayer Ministry but that is for Him to decide. If you are interested in being part of this group, please would you email me with your name and WhatsApp contact details? Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone ) Caroline Cliff Email [email protected] WhatsApp +447828323535 Local Mobile 99803780 “These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:7 REVD PAUL WRITES This is a much needed ministry to, and for, one another. Events in my own family in recent weeks have shown Paula and I the need to be able to ask for prayer ‘in an emergency.’ We don’t need to know every last detail of your requests for prayer, God knows all things and we can commit you, and those you pray for, into his care. I commend Caroline for taking this initiative and for those who have joined already and to the church council for supporting this venture. Why not give it a try? NB. WhatsApp is a FREE and accessible smart phone APP that can be downloaded from your service phone provider. It can also be downloaded onto your Computer, Laptop or Tablet and is an effective platform for messaging multiple recipients at once. It’s perfect for a prayer chain. The Summer 2024 edition of the 'Bible Lands' Magazine is now available and is a very interesting read about what is taking place in the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East as well as the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. This edition includes interviews with Bishop Sean and Revd Paul. You can read the magazine here
Bible-Lands-Summer-2024 |
|
|
Contact Details |
Website - J Scott. [email protected] 2021