From the vicar
Dear friends,
I hope you are all bearing up in the hot weather.
It won't be long before some of our local schools break up for the Summer, so it seems the right moment to remind us that Summer Sundays kick in at St Stephen's in just a few weeks' time on 27th July.
For the benefit of those who have joined us in this last year (including me!), Summer Sundays means that we have just one combined service at 10am while the schools are off. It's an All-Age Communion service that is a little more informal than the 9am service and a little more traditional than the 10.30am service. In other words, it's a bit different for everyone! May I encourage us as those on the St Stephen's mailing list to be looking out for and welcoming those who may be visiting us over the Summer holidays. We all have a part to play in welcoming others, especially when some of our usual structures are relaxed a little. Our usual service pattern will resume from 7th September.
Finally, and briefly, thank you to everyone who has completed a survey as part of the Independent Audit of Safeguarding within the Diocese of London. There are still a few days left to contribute; it should only take you 15 minutes or so. Please follow this link: Church of England – London - Ineqe Safeguarding Group. The deadline is 11.30pm on Tuesday 8th July. Thank you again for taking the time and energy to contribute to this important work.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
With every blessing,
David
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Families Lunch
We will be hosting a families bring-and-share lunch for those with children aged 0-18 years on Sunday 20th July from 12pm. Please fill in the sign-up sheet on the noticeboard in the foyer or email the office admin@ststephens-ealing.org with your name, how many will be attending and what dish(es) you will be bringing. If you have any questions please speak to Morgen Edwards or Stephen Turner.
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Mass Lobby, 9th July
Next week! There is still time to register and come with us to Parliament next Wednesday, when we'll be hoping to meet our MPs to discuss action on Nature and the Climate Crisis, and those affected by the changes. See the item posted on 19th June for more details and let Sue Charlton know if you'd like to join. Call 0790 8840 954.
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Eco Tip Plastic Free July
July may have started but it's never too late to consider lessening the amount of single-use plastic we all use. We know the dangers of plastic bags and bottles drifting into rivers and being treacherous to marine life. We know that plastic is made from fossil fuels, a major cause of the warming of our planet. But where to start when trying to ditch plastic?
Choose a target and try to stick to it this month e.g. always take reusable cups/bottles; top up water in a bottle rather than buy bottles of water; try bar soap rather than handwash in plastic bottles etc
Lots more ideas and resources at https://www.plasticfreejuly.org Let us know how you get on and share ideas, successes and/or challenges
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Parish Prayer
These are the streets in our parish we are praying for this fortnight – please do pray for all who live there and for people to come to know Jesus.
Castlebar Hill
Victoria Road
Kent Gardens
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Prayer for the Week
God our saviour,
look on this wounded world
in pity and in power;
hold us fast to your promises of peace
won for us by your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.