Last week I was off on retreat, in Blackpool, of all places.
Not usually a place known for serenity and tranquillity!
I usually go twice a year, meeting up with three close friends from my vicar training days, one of whom lives up there. Why on earth do I go and what have I taken from it this time, you might be asking? Good question. Here’s a few things...

Sometimes I go with a particular thing on my mind, but not this time.
Then, one morning I had a lovely conversation with my friend, helping her unpack something on a hill with a view, and as I walked away I felt such a sense of joy, and a reminder (because I forget so often!) that it’s not about all me and my issues – there’s real delight when God works through me, just as much as when I sense God at work in me.

I read some big sections of the Bible, catching up on my personal project to read all of my lovely new NRSVue in 2023. Reading Chronicles, Song of Songs, and 2 Corinthians, each in one sitting, gave me a very different sense of those books.

Rest is good, a reminder ahead of a busy term – there’s something to be said for choosing to step aside from tasks, choosing abundance, and trusting God that there is enough time to do whatever God calls us to.

I cherish the company of people who know and love me, who give me a good hard listening to, who will call me on my baggage in a loving way. People with whom I share a common perspective, as Christians and as Vicars, a depth of relationship forged in many hours of life, prayer, study, and worship together, people who each believe that our faith matters, that Jesus’ love makes a difference and is worth orienting our lives around, and who get what Vicarly life is like. Having a squad like that is one of the best things.

I pray you all find ways to make space, time to step back, learn how you best connect with God, and find a crew to do life and faith with.
(Hint – join a Small Group!)

Yours with every blessing,
Rob

Sunday 17th October
Join us at The 9:15 for our more traditional service with communion, or at The 11 for our all-age service with communion. And then at 6:30pm for our Go Deeper worship service. This week we welcome Guest speaker Marcus Green to all our services. Marcus is a Chaplain at Worcester College Oxford, author, bandleader, and LGBTQ+ campaigner, well-known nationally for his advocacy of LGBTQ+ equality in the Church.

Friday Morning Coffee Shop
Has now re-opened! Available in Church every Friday Morning, 9am-12pm.

Midday Communion
Will resume on Monday 18th September, come along for an Hour of Quiet with Contemplative Prayer & Communion. 12-1pm.

START! September 2023
Our Start! Course is ideal for those new to church or those who want to know more. It makes no assumptions about participants’ background, experience, or knowledge of Christianity or the church. It really does Start from scratch!
If you’re interested in coming along, please contact [email protected]

Flowers for Harvest
If you would like to help decorate the church ready for Harvest, the team will be in church on Saturday 30th September from 9am–12pm.

Messy Harvest!
Enjoy Harvest-themed crafts & activities with the Messy Church Team on Saturday 30th September! More details coming soon. To book a table for your family, please contact the [email protected]

Calverley Beer Festival – Saturday 7th October (11am-11pm)
Tickets are now on sale for our 2nd Beer Festival! For further information and to book tickets, please click here. To help spread the word, please take a poster or flyer from the back of church to display. Thank you!

Harvest Festival
Come to our service celebrating Harvest on Sunday 8th October at 10am.
We invite you to bring along donations for our local Food Bank.

St. Wilfrid's, Calverley Parish Church on YouTube!
Did you know if you ever miss a sermon or would like to watch again, you can visit our YouTube channel online here where all our weekly sermons are published, along with Weekly Morning Prayer, published every Wednesday at 8am in term-time. You can watch our YouTube videos on your laptop, phone, tablet, or smart TV!

ChurchSuite
Have you signed up to Churchsuite our new data management platform?
It’s great to keep in contact with all of you when we need to, whether that’s for rotas, or for pastoral reasons. For more information and to sign up, please click here, and help us be the strong connected community we're called to be.

Please send any items to be included in our weekly Family Newsletter to [email protected]

The work and ministry of Calverley Parish Church is supported by the generous giving of the church community, and we receive no outside funding.
You can make a donation or sign up to regular giving, including Gift Aid, via our Parish Giving page online here.
Thank You for your support.