Dear Friends
One of the things we do regularly as your local Church is to pray every day for the people who live within the Parish boundaries. We have a daily Prayer Directory where every road is listed and we pray for those who live or work on those roads on various days of the month. We also pray for the local organizations, schools and businesses as well. It is something we’ve had in place for many years.
The church is a community within a community. St John the Baptist is a Christian community of living stones. It belongs to everyone and is open daily for you. It is your church, built to glorify God and to proclaim his love 1000 years ago.
It is an ancient house of prayer where people come in all the seasons of living, where life (christenings) and love (weddings and renewal of vows) are celebrated and a sacred space where tears are shed in the saying of farewells (celebrations of life).
We also gather as community in the seasons of the church year Remembrance, Christmas and Easter, to name a few, and our local schools visit around these times as well. It is always pleasing to see the church full of children, staff and parents/grand parents for a Wales Primary School assembly or Family Service.
In the Bible Jesus tells us to love God and to love our neighbour as ourselves. I’m sure we were all shocked at fires which occurred on the hottest day ever recorded. 40 degrees what heat!
On the 19th July we were all trying to survive the searing temperatures when suddenly a fire began on the fields next to Lambrell Avenue and the adjoining estate.
On social media we saw pictures of the fires and were deeply shocked at its proximity to so many residential dwellings. The way members of the community came together that day was absolutely amazing! The response in helping those whose 3 houses were threatened or affected is to be highly commended.
People came from the estate to try to help extinguish the blazes. Local farmers practically helped by bringing their local knowledge of the fields and handling fires. The community forums were full of help for anyone who might be affected from opening buildings to offers of donations from local charity shops.
The fortitude, resilience and humility of those who lost their homes and many memories has been an inspiration to us all and our thoughts and prayers remain with them as they rebuild their lives from the ashes. One of those affected said, ‘People have been so good to us. I can’t tell you how great people in the community have been. We just can’t thank everybody enough.’
A true community isn’t just about being part of a local geographical area or survival media network. It’s about feeling connected and responsible for what happens. Humanity is our ultimate community and everyone has a crucial role to play as we keep an eye out for our neighbours.
A good community insures itself by trust, by good faith, by good will and mutual help. The months to come are going to be difficult for many with energy price rises and the cost of living crisis. Our local food banks (Colliery Offices and New Hope Food bank) will play an important role in helping the vulnerable so please do support them.
Please continue to keep an eye out for your neighbours when the darker nights and the cold days come. True community requires commitment and openness. It is being willing to extend yourself to encounter and know your neighbour. ‘The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members’ – Coretta Scott King.
Forthcoming Services
Harvest Family Service 9/10 10am
(We collect tins & toiletries for the Cathedral Archer Project which supports the homeless in Sheffield)
Remembrance Sunday 13/11 10.45am
(We remember those who gave their all for the greater good)
Shoebox Service 4/12 19am
(We donate Shoeboxes to children through AlbaniAid plus Lighthouse for women and men supporting the homeless in Rotherham)
We can play out part in the bigger picture. The world in which we live must at all costs avoid becoming a planet full of fear and hate and instead be a proud global community of mutual trust and respect. ‘I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.’ Mother Teresa
Best wishes and prayers
Reverend Gary
01909 7711111
FB: Wales Parish Church
Welcome to Wales Parish Church 