Even at night when worries can magnify be calmed by knowing God's hand is holding us firm as we enter through Autumn and the shortening days.

“ When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you set in place - what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” Psalm 8: 3-4

The new rules are a challenge to us all - maybe we could all think about which 6 we might apply to ourselves such as pray, eat, sleep, get outdoors, laugh and do something kind?
" Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.." Hebrews 4:16

Bishops Martyn and Guli are exploring how God is reshaping us and the diocesan family of communities now and for the future - all our thoughts and ideas are requested using the link in Adele's letter 13th September.

“Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.” Psalm 89:8-9

We begin our next sermon series on Creation with a particular focus provided by Ruth Valerio and the World Council of Churches on bringing freedom and rest for the earth and addressing injustice and inequality
"The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1 vv 4-5 (New Living Translation)

Matt Lax is keen to have as many voices as possible to make a congregational sound for St Marys - if you didn't receive the original email please contact him on mail@matlax.co.uk as soon as possible

Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust grants aid to historic churches and chapels of all Christian denominations for repairs, restoration and some community facilities and the main fund raising is the annual sponsored Ride + Stride event.
St Marys will be open from 10am to 4pm so please contact John on 01509 557651 if you are able to help steward at the Church - full details in Adele's letter of 30th August.

A timely reminder to keep pressing on to aim for our goals as God has wonderful promises in store.
"So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." Hebrews 10 vv 35-36

The letter is written by our Church Wardens Ian and Katherine this week whilst Adele takes a well deserved rest. The story of Ruth encourages us to make kindness our super power and to see how we are blessed by God in return.
The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge! Ruth 2 v12

As God's people we are all blessed with some superpowers but how will we use them? God can use the ordinary situations and people in extraordinary ways as we have seen throughout the pandemic.

My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(2 Corinthians 12 v9 The Message and ESV mixed)

So more people can be included Matt Lax has kindly offered to update and extend the video for St Marys and full details can found in Adele's letter of 26th July.
He has set up a dropbox https://www.dropbox.com/request/rUlEKYtQbCne1QNmn2pd
which you can add to at any time and by 25 August at the latest.