Letter no 60, May 8th 2021
Benefice of Farleigh, Candover and Wield
e-mail: davidchattell172@btinternet.com e-mail:- stevemourant@btinternet.com
01256 389474 01256 381217
Living the life...telling the story....visit us at http://www.farleighcandoverandwield.org.uk
Dear friends,
Tomorrow is a special day in the Channel Islands, being the 76th anniversary of Liberation from 5 long years of Occupation during World War II; my father’s family lived through those days of deprivation, captivity, and isolation, yet with faith and hope that one day their liberty would be restored, peace, freedom and joy being the experience once more. My cousin Doreen and I spoke about it a couple of years ago on my last visit; she said the emotion of that day still makes her weep with relief when finally the day arrived.
There are still places in our world today where authoritarian regimes oppress their people, trying to crush any dissent and persecuting anyone who dares to disagree with them. How easily forgotten are the hard won freedoms for people, of free speech, freedom of religion and freedom to live with differing perspectives.
I use the OPEN DOORs prayer diary each day, praying for the oppressed people of our world where those who believe in Jesus are cruelly treated – some of the stories shared are harrowing, but at least we can lift them up to the Lord in prayer, knowing He is able to make His presence known to them, and surround them with His protection in ways we would find quite miraculous.
This coming Thursday is the start of the sixth “Thy Kingdom Come “ prayer initiative, when Christians from at least 60 countries will be praying together, in groups, on Zoom, and all sorts of other ways, for God’s Kingdom to become an ever -present manifestation of Godly love, holy living, generosity and social action, springing out of the Holy Spirit working in us to make us more like Jesus, our congregations being renewed by the Holy Spirit in our worship, and that others outside of the faith community realise that Jesus is the only way to both live in this world and to come to know this Jesus for themselves.
Please do join us at any one of the following opportunities to pray:
Thurs 13 May 7:00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. led by Peter & Sylvia Raine on Zoom link:- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84708950683?pwd=cWdrOSsrNVpuZEowWlY4cXcwNEFuZz09
Fri 14 May 9.00 a.m. – 9.30 a.m., in St. Martin’s Ellisfield live led by Debbie Scholey
Sat 15 May 9.00 a.m. – 9.30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Preston Candover live led by David
Sun 16 May in the services
Mon 17 May 7.30 p.m. to 8.15 p.m. in All Saints Dummer live led by John and Julie Dubery
Tues 18 May 12.30 p.m. to 1.00 p.m. on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85163889274?pwd=ajh6UENqeWtjOUhyTVdOZmhsRWlQdz09
Wed 19 May 9.00 a.m.to 9.30 during benefice prayer time led by Peter and Sylvia Raine
7.30 p.m. half hour of prayer along with fellowship meeting on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88538862923?pwd=YkhtY05jemRtYmZ4M1owZzAwYnNSZz09
Thurs 20 May 8.30 a.m. - 9.00 a.m. on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81423305683?pwd=MS9DNHlkQm1obEJnQU9IMC9QVExmdz09
Fri 21 May 8.30 a.m. - 9.00 a.m. on Zoom: link to follow next week..
Sat 22 May 9.00 a.m. - 9.30 a.m. on Zoom: link to follow next week..
Sunday 23 May Pentecost – prayer in services
Services tomorrow all as normal, and no need to remind anyone of the protocols
Any urgent pastoral needs, so get in touch with David or Stephen - we are available on the phone, email, Zoom and in person at a social distance.
Every blessing,
David and Stephen
Stephen Mourant,
Associate Rector
Benefice of Farleigh, Candover and Wield,
Hampshire
The Rectory, Church Lane, Ellisfield,
RG25 2QR 01256-381217
Living the Life... Telling the story... visit us at
http://www.farleighcandoverandwield.org.uk
Please note my rest day is Friday so e-mails sent Thursday evenings may not be viewed till Saturday.