May Newsletter
Dear friends
How are you?
As we prepare to celebrate Pentecost this coming Sunday, 24 May, it is right that we recognise the significance of God coming to ordinary people to empower them as Jesus had promised and about which we read in Acts 1:4-8. Below is the New International Bible translation.
‘On one occasion, while he [Jesus] was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ‘
On Sunday during our time of corporate worship we will read together Acts 2:1-21, the account of the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost.
Through that focus my prayer is that by the power of the Holy Spirit we will through our worship together realise afresh or for the first time how wonderful it is that with Christians all over the world we can celebrate the birthday of the Church. A celebration which affirms to Christians today that as followers, disciples of Christ, we are called to share God’s promise. At the recent gathering of Southern Synod’s church leaders for this year’s Spring School we were all invited to articulate God’s promise. For me it is contained in John 3:16 and Isaiah 64:8. The contributions revealed unity in their expression. What would your contribution be?
Time and again God’s promise takes us to what I said in my last Newsletter and which I deliberately repeat. I urge us all to pray every day for the Church in Medway of which Gillingham United Reformed Church is part. Pray every day for us as a local church to reach those who do not know Jesus or those who have lost their way on their faith journey. Pray too that as God answers our prayers, and because we are willing, he can work in and through us to disciple others. As ever, building relationship is key to God’s call on our lives and we thank him for the privilege of being given opportunities to do that. And of course we must always pray for ourselves – holding on to God’s promise may we grow in faith.
We continue to be so grateful to Fiona for enthusing us to take more and more responsibility in playing our part in caring for God’s world. This month Fiona reminds us about the No Mow May Movement and the encouragement to leave even a small patch of grass to grow through May and beyond if you like to benefit wildlife, especially insects which are in decline. Further encouragement comes to sow wild flower seeds, even in pots.
Our May bring and share lunch was much enjoyed and arising from that Fiona’s encouragement is one of thankfulness that a good effort was made by everyone in clearing away food waste and greasy paper plates into the green bags for the brown bin and putting items into the marked bins for recycling.
Fiona reminds us that the next Repair Cafe is this Saturday 23 May at Rainham Library, 10.30 am to 1 pm where items, including electrical, can be fixed for free. The next Clothes and Toy swap is Saturday 6 June at Gillingham Library 11 am to 3 pm.
Please continue to look at the Eco board which Fiona maintains in the large hall.
Church Meeting agreed that our next litter pick in the immediate local area will be following worship on Sunday 7 June. We have also now received information about the Keep Britain Tidy Great Get Together Clean-Up from 19-21 June. If you would like to take part in that in and around the area of Balmoral Road on Sunday 21 June following morning worship please let me know.
Various questions keep coming up for clarification about warnings about feeding birds as given by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds from April 2026. I am therefore repeating what I said in my last Newsletter and quote from the RSPB Spring/Summer magazine. From 1 May to 31 October pause feeding seed and peanuts; from 1 November to 30 April provide seeds, peanuts, suet/fat and mealworms; provide natural sources of food through planting in your gardens or balconies; feed small amounts at a time; make sure that food is not accumulating on the ground below feeders; only offer water if you are able to change it every day, and tap water is likely better.
A reminder that our coach outing to Westgate is on Saturday 13 June. The coach is currently full with a short waiting list. We will meet at the church at
9 am and anticipate our return to the church about 6 pm.
The coffee morning being organised by Fiona is this coming Wednesday,
27 May from 10.30 am to 12 noon. Please come if you are able and invite friends and family to support Embrace the Middle East.
And the next coffee morning in co-operation with Thomas Fowle is on Friday 5 June from 10.30 am to 12 noon in support of Medway Foodbank. This is the second of a new initiative. We look forward to it and as with all coffee mornings look forward to welcoming friends, family and people from the wider community.
Our next Christian puppet time is Friday, 29 May from 4.30 to 5.45 pm for children accompanied by parent/carer. No charge – craft activity and tea included. Please extend an invitation to people known to you for whom this might be an opportunity worth exploring.
God bless you all as we prepare to celebrate Pentecost.
Pam