Dear St James by the Park community, This is a long-overdue update to you all. The UK2UK (Ukraine to United Kingdom) group is a response by members of St James by the Park church community to host Ukrainian guests under the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme. It is very encouraging that various members of St James and others in the wider community have provided a safe place for women and children from Ukraine. Several families have hosted guests now for over a year and there have been many joys and challenges in doing so. Hosts have said:
Yet there are many challenges:
Guests face multiple issues: They face the stress and trauma of separation from their loved ones who have remained in war-torn Ukraine - they face many painful decisions and have to endure terrible events They are here temporarily yet they have no idea how long they will be in the UK – so they still need to find homes and work, learn English, understand British culture, navigate our health, education and local and national government provision. Some guests though as the war drags on want to return to Ukraine and be with their families there. Host supporters We are grateful for those in the church who are supporting the hosts and also befriending guests but there is still a need for more people to help out. If you think you can be supportive then please do contact any of the hosts listed below. The wider church support Sponsors/Hosts still needed There is still a need for more sponsors/hosts to open their homes and there is always a long list of contacts who are keen to be considered. Emergency back-up There is also a need for some people in the church to act as emergency “back-up” homes for hosts, if for some reason, they are unable to continue hosting their guests. Such an offer would, at least, be comforting for some hosts. Bike needed: Please contact Esther Ridsdale if you have a strong large-framed bike (for a 6’ guest) that you do not need anymore. Also contact Esther if you are good at fixing spokes on a wheel (– we need a spokesperson!) for another guest. Pray
Current hosts
Thank you for reading this update and for your prayers and support.
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SCRATCH are in desperate need of the following items to enable them to continue to deliver to families in need.
If you're able to donate any items, please either:
Happy new year!
At the start of 2024, we're making some changes to our pattern of services. Here's what's changing, and why. 1. Communion is changing to being on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month (instead of the 1st and 4th). This is simply to space them out more evenly! On the 2nd Sunday, communion will be towards the beginning of the service, with the children involved. On the 4th Sunday, communion will be towards the end of the service, when the children are in their groups. 2. There will now be dedicated children's provision in and around St James' every Sunday of the month (previously, there was no specific provision at St James' on the 4th Sunday). This is to help our precious families be part of our community every week, not just most weeks!
3. There will now be dedicated young people's groups every Sunday of the month (previously, it was a bit bunched up towards the beginning of the month). This is to help our wonderful young people be part of our community every week, not just most weeks!
Our services page has been updated to reflect these changes - and includes details of our Sunday @3 service as well! Pete Evans started the meeting by leading us in a quiz about the Parish, our boundaries and neighbouring parishes. It was fun and also a great reminder of who we serve. He read from the Church of England official PCC member booklet about a PCC members' role. They liken it to a life boat crew; our 'crew' is here to serve others who are not on our team. We looked at educational settings with our parish and then prayed for the parish as a whole and especially for those who are within the educational settings, such as staff and children.
Dan and Angel shared the good news that there will be provision for children on the fourth Sunday each month from January 2024.The PCC was pleased about this and discussed a potential name for this group as it includes all the children across the different ages. We discussed different days, times and means to pray regularly and intentionally for our children, families and young people. This is in line with the Church of England’s initiative on increasing the numbers in these groups. Dan told us we were still waiting for a quote and plans for a new Communion table. The meeting finished with a fun time participating in an escape room activity. Thank you to Nicola Caveney for all her work organising this! The next meeting is on Monday 15th Jan. Dan & Andrea finished our Proverbs "Wisdom for Life" series on Sunday, looking at some of the proverbs relating to marriage (although many of them also relate to people who aren't married!). You can catch up on the talk here, and below the video is the handout they offered with some marriage-strengthening resources and top tips for combatting sexual temptation. If this talk raises issues for you - whether married or single, divorced or widowed - do get in touch with Dan & Andrea. Marriage-strengthening resources
The Marriage Course from HTB – www.themarriagecourse.org Care for the Family - www.careforthefamily.org.uk/support-for-you/family-life/couple-support Southampton Family Trust - www.sftrust.org.uk – offer couple support, online courses and in person courses “Let’s stick together: the relationship book for new parents” by Harry Benson “The meaning of marriage: facing the complexities of commitment with the wisdom of God” by Tim & Kathy Keller “The marriage book: how to build a lasting relationship” by Nicky & Sila Lee “On marriage” by Tim & Kathy Keller “The five love languages: how to express heartfelt commitment to your mate” by Gary Chapman “What did you expect?: redeeming the realities of marriage” by Paul David Tripp Avoiding adultery – some tips Don’t go near her house! Prov 5 Walk the long way round! You may need to avoid them all together and take drastic action to do so. It may hurt their feelings but your marriage is more important. Don’t flirt – it stirs up a hornet’s nest of expectation. Be self-aware – if you find someone attractive acknowledge it to yourself and to your spouse if it’s becoming an issue and guard yourself If you are someone that others find attractive, be mindful of this and the effect you have on others, again, don’t flirt, dress appropriately. Hold back from gravitating towards them, don’t spend time alone with them. Don’t dress with that person in mind. Bring it to God, confess any sin, pray for wisdom and self-control. Find your wholeness, your acceptance, your love and your security in God. Lean into God. Don’t justify your sin. Think through the eventual consequences of adultery, not just the initial short lived pleasure. Take every thought captive for Christ. Work on your marriage. Don’t question your choice of marriage partner, unless they’re abusive. You may have a list of attributes that you wanted your ideal partner to have (this may also change with time). The one you’re being tempted by completes the bits of the list that your spouse doesn’t. Believe me, they’ll also have plenty failings that your spouse doesn’t, have you thought about that?! They may be even worse, plus, are you going to trust them not to cheat on you? They’ve already done it once. Do not confide your feelings in the person you’re attracted to – it stokes the fire and creates further intimacy. If you’re lonely search out appropriate relationships to meet that need. Make yourself accountable to a trustworthy friend and your spouse if you can. |