Saint David’s Uniting Church
& Castle Square URC
Minister: Rev. Dr Phil Wall
Tel: 01443 300345 Mob: 07855090360
Website: www.stdavidsuniting.org.uk
Admin email: office1.sduc@gmail.co.uk
7th June 2020 Trinity Sunday
Last weekend for Pentecost a banner was hung outside the St David’s building.
It has been replaced with a black banner!
Following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, USA last month many of us were appalled, if sadly not shocked. Whilst such hate-filled violence and casual injustices are all too common a reality in many countries throughout the world, George Floyd’s murder, and the protests against prejudice that have come from it, has resonated particularly with many in our country who have once again highlighted the reality of racism in the UK. How do we respond as Christians? We continue to reflect upon this – and will do so further in next week’s sermon – but for now, we have put up a temporary banner with the words GRIEF – ANGER – BLACK LIVES MATTER, whilst individuals, may choose to do one of the following:
- Educate. Amongst the various suggestions from the black community on the resources that can educate us on issues of racism, two that are often cited is to view some of the lectures by Jane Elliot (the Christian teacher of the brown eyes/blue eyes experiment) free to watch on YouTube or to read British writer Reni Eddo-Lodge’s book ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race ‘.
- Reflect. Many people have paused and reflected for 8 minutes and 46 seconds – the time that the police officer had his knee on George Floyd’s neck.
- Pray. For a transformation in society. For hope in kinship. For justice for all.
- Sign a petition http://chng.it/p5CMBPz4 Add your name to those asking the government to suspend the export of tear gas and rubber bullets to America.
Deceitful politicians, biased media, police brutality. many news stories might have made us angry of late. Whilst we reflect upon how we can best work for justice at this socially
distanced time, the following contribution from hymn-writer (and friend of John Henson!) might help voice some of our anger in prayer…
God, our anger at injustice Channel grief and anger in us;
swells from deep within our core: let us be your voice and hands.
anger at decision makers Spirit, guide our justice-seeking,
for oppression we deplore; take us where your love demands.
anger at the ones who lead us Christ destroys the powers and forces,
for indifference to the poor; chains of bondage, unjust strife,
anger at the lies, deception, not by might and raging violence
selfishness that we abhor. but a sacrificial life.
Systems made to serve the privileged, How long, Maker, Word and Spirit,
tightly gripped by those with power – till such evils are reversed?
stripping others of life chances – How long till your reign is finished
edicts from an ivory tower. and the last become the first?
God our anger fires within us: Hear us God, we pray for justice,
bring your justice, liberate; hear us God, we pray for justice,
come and shatter worldly systems; hear our voices, never silenced
take the least and make them great! till the least are truly blessed.
© Gary Hopkins 2020 Suggested Tunes: Abbot’s Leigh or Scarlet Ribbons
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Church Family and Pastoral News
We include this in the news sheet to inform our prayers.
- Hilary Grinter is still suffering an awful lot of pain with Sciatica. We keep her in our prayers.
- Peter, from Castle Sq is still quite poorly and we send our love to him and Marilyn.
- Doreen Marshman, and Anne Coles have taken a tumble recently but are OK, and David Edwards is feeling a lot better after a fall a few weeks ago
- Jayne Bright, has now returned to work and admits to being exhausted when she gets home!
- We think of all who are involved in education as they prepare for a new way of working and also the young people who will miss out on saying farewell to teachers and friends before moving on to further education because they have already finished school.
- We give thanks for neighbours who help us and those we have got to know because they keep in touch by phone.
Thanks from…..
Deborah says ‘Thank you to everyone for the many birthday wishes I received on my ‘milestone birthday!’ As the weather was fine, I was able to see my Mum, Dad, Sister and the children – so I had a good day.
Birthdays this week…..and last!
Firstly – apologies to Stephanie for the omission of her name last week…Stephanie celebrated her birthday on Saturday…Hopefully she received many good wishes! This week’s birthdays: Doreen Marshman, Tuesday 9th and Alison Jones and Simon Walkling on Thursday 11th. We wish them all a very Happy Birthday!
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Something to make you Smile
I was in the bathroom, putting on my makeup, under the watchful eyes of my young granddaughter, as I’d done many times before. After I applied my lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, “But Grandma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!” I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye….
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Midweek Challenges!
Pentecost – Birds Challenge 
By the end of the week we had a good display at Castle Square and over 50 at Church house – there’s a lot of railings – thanks to the members of Kid’s Club and all who created them and also the banner at St David’s Uniting Church.
Last week’s Challenge was to create a Haiku, of a Biblical story, but we weren’t restricted! The response was tremendous, here are three of the Haiku’s that Phil shared with us during his midweek reflection:
Never heard of them For the sorrowing Drunk guests at wedding
Five, seven and five again God’s love give you his comfort Finish the booze too early
Have I succeeded? Balm in Gilead Cool guy makes some wine
Two Challenges This Week!
As the response to the challenge has been so good, we are hoping to create a record, ‘The Church in Lockdown’. Some of our creative output has been incredible and needs to be recorded for posterity.
- For the artistic……Illustrate the Haikus which have been sent via email or print.
The second challenge came about following a comment on the Castle Square weekly conference call, when someone said they had decided to wear a skirt as it was Sunday! SO here’s the challenge. Apparently in normal times we only wear about 20-50% of our wardrobe ever – Cheer our selves up by getting out the clothes we are not wearing as it is said we are only wearing about 3% of our clothes
- Take a photo of yourself in clothes you haven’t worn since lockdown started…such as wearing your tux while mowing the lawn, or doing the house work in your party dress, wear your Christmas jumper at breakfast, or just pull out the first one you find and relax! So, get the glad rags out and start posing!! If you accept the challenge and send a photo it may well feature in a future video – you have been warned!!
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The Foodbank is urgently in need of:
Toothpaste, Tinned Tomatoes, Jam, Rice Pudding/Custard, UHT Fruit Juice, UHT Milk, Tinned Potatoes, Packet Mash Potatoes, Toilet Rolls, Deodorant, Shampoo/Conditioner, Washing up cleaner and Spray type cleaner.
They are also Low on stock of: Cereal, Pasta Sauce, Tinned Meat, Sugar, Tinned Fish, Tinned Fruit, Biscuits, Tea, Coffee, Chocolate/Sweets, Soap Bars, and Shower Gel.
We realise that it is difficult for many to shop at the moment so you may like to donate instead. Cheques payable to Pontypridd Foodbank can be sent to 28 Llantrisant Road, Graig, Pontypridd CF37 1LW
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Thought for the Week.
“Advertising may be described as the science of arresting the human intelligence long enough to get money from it.” Anon