Dear Friends in Christ,
Greetings to you all!
What makes a soil fertile? If the right elements come together, a lot of crops will be taken from that soil? I have seen many fertile farmlands; Some were already positioned in a “right” place, in a valley where there was water and good climate. Therefore, they were given crops twice or more every year. Others however were on rocky or mountainous or even in desert land. Yet when they were treated with irrigation and improvement of the soil, they too give good crops.
What makes a Christian to be fruitful? Jesus loved to use parables from daily life, and one of the well-known ones is called the parable of the Sower. Jesus talks about different kind of soil, all of which initially receive the Word joyfully, and yet only the good soil is fruitful. Unlike some other parables, this one does not leave the hearers to make their own interpretation. We know this, because Jesus in the later part of the reading interprets this for the disciples. Therefore, the meaning and the message is very clear.
However, the question remains: what makes a Christian fruitful? I have seen many
young men and women who made a commitment to follow Jesus with a joyful heart. One could see the joy at their baptisms. But soon after, I have also seen that they faced various obstacles, challenges, difficulties, and distractions. In response to that, some lost their zeal, others lapsed and even others decided to go back to something else. For example, after receiving Jesus with joy, a young man who found a job but was required to work 7 days a week. Or a young woman who received Jesus and soon enough her abusive boyfriend who left her years ago comes back. Or someone who struggles with forgiveness for many years. These are some of the real stories.
So, the question remains: what makes a Christian to be fruitful? Is this entirely in the hands of individuals? Or perhaps I wonder if the Christian community could do something to “prepare” the ground for them? I am hoping that as we explore this subject on Sunday, that God would give us more clarity and inspiration to reflect our fruitfulness as a community of faith.
Blessings,
Fr Engin (on behalf of the Team)
Heavenly Father,
We pray that you would remove any areas in our lives
That hinder us being fruitful in your service.
As we received your word joyfully,
Help us to be deepen in faith
Inspire us to encourage and support every person
Who journeys with us in our communities.
We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Sunday 16th July 2023
08.30 am Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
10.30 am Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
11.00 am Eucharist at St Michael-at-Bowes
13.00 pm A Special Service with the Archbishop of Canterbury at St Michael at Bowes Church
Tuesday 18th July 2023
11.00 am Eucharist at St Michael-at-Bowes
12.00 noon Bible Study on the Book of Genesis
Wednesday 19th July 2023
12.00 noon Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Thursday 20th July 2023
7.00 pm Holy Hour at Michael Wood Green
Friday 21st July 2023
5.30 pm Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Saturday 22nd July 2023
12.00 noon Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
On Saturday there is a fund-raising coffee morning and cake sale at St Michael’s Wood Green. Please pop in to St Raphael’s Centre from 10am – 12noon and show your support.
Drop-In: Our Drop-In provides warmth, food and hospitality to all who attend. It runs from 10am – 2pm and you are very welcome to come along every Wednesday.
Archbishop of Canterbury’s Visit to St Michael at Bowes Church: ++Justin will be visiting our Turkish community on Sunday, July 16th at 1pm where he will be preaching as well as there will be a short Q&A. Although this is part of our Turkish service all communities are welcomed.
Tuesday Bible Study: This will resume our Bible Study on the book of Genesis. Our aim is to finish this book by the end of July. We will not have Bible studies in August.
Wood Green Team Summer coach trip to Eastbourne: Yvonne will be booking Coaches to leave from both Churches. Money due in by next Sunday please
Parish Pilgrimage to Walsingham – Monday 28th August. Fully Booked. Money due in by next Sunday please
St Michael’s International evening: Saturday 23 rd September.
St Michael’s day Friday 29th Sept: Celebrant & preacher Bp Jonathan. Cake and drinks after the service
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
This coming Sunday we shall hear the beautiful and comforting words of Jesus ‘come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.’ These words which are full of compassion are words that we and the world need to hear especially today. At times we all find life difficult and in no time at all we become overburdened and anxious and are swamped with problems and worries. If that resonates with you then I pray that you will hear Jesus speaking to you through Sunday’s Gospel, for Jesus tells us to bring all our burdens to him and he promises to give us comfort, peace and strength.
That same reading encourages us to come before the Lord just as we are, especially when we are weighed down and in a disturbed state. We don’t have to wait until we are calm to pray; we don’t have to be perfect or have sorted out our own problems. We can approach the Lord amidst all that disturbs us; pray to Him through your worries and anxieties and the Lord of life will bring calm and peace to our disturbed spirit.
So as we prepare for Sunday hear afresh the words of the Lord and remember he isn’t speaking to just anybody, the Lord is speaking to YOU!!! ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
May God’s peace be with you
Fr Ian (On behalf of the clergy)
In times of weakness and hour of need,
yours is the strength by which we carry on,
the shoulder we rest our head upon.
When our load is heavy and too much to bear,
yours are the arms stretched out to help us
the grace that we depend on.
In such times of weakness and need,
your voice is heard, ‘Come… find rest.’
This is grace divine, the path we tread to healing
of body and spirit, the path that leads to you,
and for which we offer our offering of praise. Amen
Sunday 9th July 2023
08.30 am Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
10.30 am Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
11.00 am Eucharist at St Michael-at-Bowes
Tuesday 11th July 2023
11.00 am Eucharist at St Michael-at-Bowes
12.00 noon No Bible study for this week only
Wednesday 12th July 2023
12.00 noon Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Thursday 13th July 2023
7.00 pm Holy Hour at Michael Wood Green
Friday 14th July 2023
5.30 pm Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Saturday 15th July 2023
12.00 noon Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Men’s breakfast at the Rectory: This Saturday 8th July 9.30am
Drop-In: Our Drop-In provides warmth, food and hospitality to all who attend. It runs from 10am – 2pm and you are very welcome to come along every Wednesday.
Wood Green Team Summer coach trip to Eastbourne: Both coaches are now full for Eastbourne. Please, if you have signed up to go payment is due by Sunday 23rd July.
Walsingham pilgrimage of healing and anointing – 28th August 2023. There is now a reserve list as the coach is full. If you are booked onto the coach again payment is due by Sunday 23rd July.
Dates ahead please keep the date free
Coffee Morning and cake sale in St Raphael’s Centre next to Church: 15th July
St Michael’s International evening: Saturday 23rd September.
St Michael’s day Friday 29th Sept: We welcome Bishop Jonathan as our celebrant and preacher. Cake and drinks after the service
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
‘Those were the days…’ Come on we’ve all said it at some stage in life. Do you recall the days when you could leave your door open and friends and neighbours were able to wander in unannounced? I certainly do. However, today is the day of locks, bolts, alarms and cctv; everyone is viewed with suspicion and it is a sad reflection of the society we now live in. The Gospel this coming Sunday could almost be written for us in today’s world as it reminds us of the beautiful gifts of welcome and hospitality. Our world today is full of strangers and displaced persons who through no fault of their own are living in a strange world at strange time. Many of those we rub shoulders with in our streets have no roots and no friends, often placed in neighbourhoods where they know nobody and where life can be very lonely. Today there is more need than ever for hospitality, welcome and simple friendliness. As Christians, Jesus calls us to welcome the strangers in our midst. To be hospitable does not mean making them like us, but just accepting who they are. Hospitality is not so much a question of keeping our doors open, rather it is keeping our hearts open. Christ calls us to reach out and the rewards are endless. Even a simple act of kindness, like providing a cup of cold water, would not go unrewarded. There are also earthly rewards too – hospitality, welcome, friendliness and cooperation paths the way for understanding, rich diversity and a recognition that all are valued and loved. For the followers of Jesus, hospitality is not an optional extra; it is at the very heart of the Gospel – to welcome the stranger is to welcome Christ himself.
With love and prayers
Fr Ian (On behalf of the Wood Green Team)
Ever-loving God,
we bow before you in reverence.
You search for us, care for us, and welcome us home.
We belong to you. Transform us into your likeness,
and feed us through your generous Word.
As we wait for the Spirit make us more and more signs of your hospitality,
so your kingdom may come, on earth as in heaven.
Amen
Sunday 2nd July 2023
08.30 am Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
10.30 am Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
11.00 am Eucharist at St Michael-at-Bowes
Tuesday 4th July 2023
11.00 am Eucharist at St Michael-at-Bowes
12.00 noon No Bible study for this week only
Wednesday 5th July 2023
12.00 noon Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Thursday 6th July 2023
7.30 pm Holy Hour at Michael Wood Green
Friday 7th July 2023
5.30 pm Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Saturday 8th July 2023
12.00 noon Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Drop-In: Our Drop-In provides warmth, food and hospitality to all who attend. It runs from 10am – 2pm and you are very welcome to come along every Wednesday.
Tuesday Bible Study: Reflections on last week’s film
Wood Green Team Summer coach trip to Eastbourne: Yvonne will be booking Coaches to leave from both Churches. The date is 19th August. More details to follow
Walsingham pilgrimage of healing and anointing – 28th August 2023. There is now a reserve list as the coach is full.
Dates ahead
Men’s breakfast at the Rectory: 8th July 9.30am
Coffee Morning and cake sale: 15th July
St Michael’s International evening: Saturday 23rd September.
St Michael’s day Friday 29th Sept: Cake and drinks after the service
Dear Friends in Christ,
I trust this finds you well!
During my studies in theology about 20 years ago in Toronto, Canada I observed that there was an intentional avoidance of the Christian faith in the public sphere. What I mean is that people would be very much open to talk about anything and everything but Christianity. For example, at my son’s primary school there was an acknowledgement and celebration of every festival of various faith traditions, but when it came to say Christmas, it was called “holidays”. Likewise, in many other professions, Christians felt obliged not to share their views on any of the controversial issues related to ethics, politics, and human sexuality. Those who violated this “social taboo” are labelled as “radicals” or “fanatic narrow minded” Christians. Does it sound any familiar to you? If so, perhaps Jesus’ words might give you some comfort and guidance.
Jesus invites us to an authentic, transparent, and radical discipleship, a kind of discipleship that frees us from every fear. At the heart of this new way of living lies knowing who we are in Christ. God has received us as his children in Christ, and he knows everything about us, even the hairs of our head are known by him. This authentic way of living also gives us boldness and courage to bring our faith to the public sphere without fear of rejection. After all, our primary concerns as Christians are not necessary to please people around us, but to make sure we are in right relationship with God. This way of living could be hard at times. But we
must remember that this is not a lonely ride, we as Christians should find encouragement and inspiration from one another in this journey.
As we prepare for Sunday, it is my prayer that God the Holy Spirit would encourage and guide us in our journey of faith, so that we could be faithful witnesses of Risen Christ.
Blessings,
Fr Engin (on behalf of the Team)
Almighty God
Grant to us who have been justified by faith alone,
The strength to persevere in that faith
So that we could remain faithful to the gospel of Risen Christ
In our journey of faith.
Amen.
Sunday 25 June 2023
08.30 am Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
10.30 am Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
11.00 am Eucharist at St Michael-at-Bowes
Tuesday 27 June 2023
11.00 am Eucharist at St Michael-at-Bowes
12.00 noon In place of the Bible Study this week we shall watch a movie called ‘A Man named Otto’.
Wednesday 28 June 2023
12.00 noon Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Thursday 29 June 2023
7.30 pm Holy Hour at Michael Wood Green
Friday 30 June 2023
5.30 pm Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Saturday 1 July 2023
12.00 noon Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Drop-In: Our Drop-In provides warmth, food and hospitality to all who attend. It runs
from 10am – 2pm and you are very welcome to come along every Wednesday.
Tuesday Bible Study: This week we will not have a Bible Study. Instead, we will be watching
a movie called “A Man named Otto”. This will be between 12.00 and 14.00 on Tuesday.
Please bring your lunch along.
Wood Green Team Summer coach trip to Eastbourne: Yvonne will be booking Coaches
to leave from both Churches. The date is 19 th August. More details to follow
Walsingham pilgrimage of healing and anointing – 28th August 2023. There is now a reserve list as the coach is full.
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few’, declares the Lord in this Sunday’s Gospel. He makes this statement when he observes the plight of those around him. Jesus is clearly moved and we are told ‘he felt sorry for them’. However, Jesus doesn’t leave it there; the sight of people oppressed and living in poverty seems to stir him into action. It is at this moment that from among his hundreds of disciples the Lord calls twelve Apostles, men who have shared the life of Christ in a unique way. The Apostles witnessed the earthly life of Jesus and were personally instructed by him. Now they are given authority to help Jesus in his mission to bring Good News to the poor. That calling of a small community of people led to the birth of the Church and was so blessed by God that we ourselves are caught up in it today, and as the Christian community here in Wood Green we are called and sent to be God’s good news, continuing the mission we witness in Jesus.
I wonder sometimes, if Jesus were to walk through Wood Green what would he say, see or think? Certainly he would encounter people struggling with life. People sleeping rough, others begging and being exploited; others simply trying to manage to survive at a time of rising costs and all the stress and anxiety that can be seen clearly on their faces. Without a doubt, Jesus would be moved with pity and feel sorry for them. But, he wouldn’t leave it there – he would be calling on the faithful to breathe his love and compassion over those so quickly ignored or overlooked in society. Our Churches in the Wood Green Team play a significant part in reminding people of God’s love primarily through our rhythm of prayer and worship and the ministries that overflow from them, but also practically with our Drop-In, the Foodbank, the Turkish community and others who simply struggle with the pressures of life and get caught up in addiction. Both churches are heavily involved in the education of our young people and support the schools in the parish. Yet there is so much more that needs to be done.
Just as the Lord called those first Apostles so he calls us to be his hands, feet and heart in the world. Every time we encounter someone in need, whatever that may be, then we have the opportunity to spread the love and compassion of God. The harvest is indeed rich…
With love & prayers
Fr Ian (On behalf of the Wood Green Team)
Christ has no body now but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
Compassion on this world
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good
Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world
Yours are the hands
Yours are the feet
Yours are the eyes
You are His body
Christ has no body now on earth but yours
Sunday 18 June 2023
08.30am Said Mass
10.30 am Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
11.00 am Eucharist at St Michael-at-Bowes
Tuesday 20 June 2023
11.00 am Eucharist at St Michael-at-Bowes
12.00 noon Bible Study: The Book of Genesis
Wednesday 21 June 2023
12.00 noon Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Thursday 22 June 2023
7.00 pm Holy Hour at Michael Wood Green
Friday 23 June 2023
5.30 pm Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Saturday 25 June 2023
12.00 noon Parish Mass at St Michael Wood Green
Walsingham Pilgrimage 28 August – Carol has now secured a coach and the cost will be less than last year. Seats are £30 and they are going fast.
Drop-In: Our Drop-In provides warmth, food and hospitality to all who attend. It runs
from 10am – 2pm and you are very welcome to come along every Wednesday.
Tuesday Bible Study: We continue to study the book of Genesis at noon day on Tuesday (between 12.00 and 13.00). This Bible Study is in the form of discussion and reflection and all are welcome to join us.
Bowes hosting Caribbean evening: On Saturday 17th June, 7pm onwards. Tickets cost £15 for adults, £7.50 for children under 13 years. Family of four £30
Men’s Breakfast – Saturday 8 July at the Rectory, list for signing on the table.
Wood Green Team Summer coach trip to Eastbourne: Yvonne will be booking Coaches to leave from both Churches. The date is 19th August. More details soon
St Michael’s International evening: Saturday 23rd September.
St Michael’s day Friday 29 Sept. Bishop Jonathan will be our celebrant and preacher and we look forward to welcoming him. Cake and fizz after the service