Pentecost

As we celebrate Pentecost - the coming of the Spirit and the Birthday of the Church, we reflect upon the fact that Jesus commanded his followers to go out and spread the news that his dying and rising again gives us all the opportunity to begin a new life following God's standards rather than the world's. Here in Droitwich the church is aware of the fact that to reach all people with God's love is a daunting task. The first Pentecost reminds us, however, that this task is not something we do on our own, rather it is someting we join in with alongside God's leading Spirit.
Sheila mentioned last week that we are launching the next stage in our process of looking at how we can engage with our local community and demonstrate our faith in action. This is something we do under the guidance of God's Spirit, recognising the gifts and talents we each have, and listening to where and how God wants us to use them.
If you would like any more information about how you can be involved, please get in touch.

Update on Services

I've updated the pages showing changes to worship arrangements. Please check the changed arrangements of 17th and 24th June.

Discussion and Study Groups Supper - 4 June

This is for anyone who is, or has been, involved in any of the parish study or discussion groups, including the reading circle, or have ever thought they would like to be involved in such a group but have never quite managed it for some reason - you are invited to St Nicholas' church on Monday 4 June to share ideas and experiences and to plan for the future. This will include planning ahead for existing groups but also thinking together about how we can nurture new Christians and enquirers. A light supper will be available from 7pm, the meeting will start at about 7.45pm and we will aim to end by 9.15pm. Please do come!

Moving on in Ministry and Mission

The Anglican church community in Droitwich has been giving a great deal of time and thought to strengthening its identity and purpose in the past couple of years. This weekend (20 May) we launched a new stage in this process with a personal invitation to every member of our congregations to consider how each might contribute to the church's ministry and mission here. We want to be more outward-looking, more sensitive to the needs of the community, better equipped to welcome newcomers and enquirers, and more ready to explore and develop our personal faith and commitment to God. Some people will be able to make a practical contribution, others will be able to offer support through prayer; some will find their main focus of ministry in a particular place, at work, home or school; others will be more involved through church structures. Some people will find themselves continuing a current role, whilst others may feel drawn to something new. Whichever it is, we are trying to become more aware of both the needs around us and of the gifts and resources we have to offer as Anglican Christians. We are called to service by God as individuals but we work together as a community united in Christ, sharing what we have and encouraging one another. If you want to find out more just get in touch.

Ascension Day

You are warmly invited to celebrate Ascension Day this Thursday, 17 May, at the parish Eucharist at St Augustine's at 7.30pm. The service will be followed by a bonfire and barbeque to which all are welcome.

St Richard de Wych, St Richard of ... where?

This Sunday, May 13th, here in Droitwich, we are celebrating one of the town's former sons, Richard de Wych (Droitwich) who became better known to the wider world as St Richard of Chichester, where he was bishop from 1245 till his death in 1253.

Richard's story is quite an interesting one, beginning as it does with helping his elder brother look after the family farm following the death of his parents. Later, he resumed his studies at Oxford and then became Chancellor to Archbishop Edmund. After that, he became bishop of Chichester, much to the annoyance of the king, and spent his first few years wandering around his diocese receiving hospitality from those who could support him.

To call Richard a saint does not mean that we should imitate him in detail, still less that we should approve of all his actions. A saint is not someone who makes no mistakes, but rather a follower of Jesus. In him we can recognize the authentic marks of one who has ‘been with Jesus’. So to honour Richard is to honour Jesus, whom (in the words of the prayer which bears his name) he knew, loved and served as his ‘most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother.’

Richard was known for his generosity to the poor and to those in need and I'm sure he'd have been in complete agreement with the aims and aspirations of Christian Aid who endeavour to bring help and tangible assistance to those who are suffering as a result of both natural disasters and conflicts. (Christian Aid Week is this week – look out for the envelope through your door!)

(Posted on behalf of David Owen)

Core business

(This is the first of what will be regular "thought for the week" style posts by various members of the staff team)

The first reading this Sunday is one of the three versions Luke gives us of Peter's involvement in the first conversion of the Gentiles. It is portrayed as the work of both God's revelation to Peter in a (nightmarish) vision, and the work of the Spirit honouring Peter's obedience to that vision in preaching to the Gentiles – Cornelius and his household.

In many ways this could also be called Peter's "conversion" as his conception of church and gospel is radically changed. Like the story of Paul's better known conversion, Luke tells it three times. Once as part of the main narrative, and twice as reported speech by the recipient of God's revelation. Peter's conversion and Paul's conversion are both fundamental to the story of the church moving from a Jewish sect based in Jerusalem, to a worldwide community founded in Rome.

Mission can't be solely located at the periphery of the church as the job of specialist and enthusiastic visionaries like Paul. It belongs also at the heart of the pastoral mission entrusted to Peter – it is core business. That is part of what we're trying to do in re-organising our human resources, a process everyone is being invited to join in.

It also isn't simply about "converting" those outside. The mission of God converts Peter the insider and Paul the outsider alike. The church can't do mission without changing, which is perhaps why we tend to avoid it. But God's mission changes everything, and it really needs to start with us insiders, as it started with Peter, the ultimate insider.

Open air festival praise – May 13th

As part of the St Richard's Festival, organised in conjunction with the Town Council and Wychavon, there will be an open air service of Praise in Vines Park, at 4.00pm on Sunday 13th May.

Churches Together in Droitwich are organising and supporting the act of worship, which will wrap up a full afternoon's entertainment, including medieval sports, boat trips, well-dressing and various markets.

St Richard was not only a local lad, but according to legend, miraculously restored the town's economy when he re-visted his home-town and through prayer unblocked the salt wells in which the town's livelihood depended.