Newsletter for
September 7th
Trinity XII

C H U R C H N E W S

St. Andrew and St. Mary the Virgin

All about us at ……

~ N O T I C E S ~

Looking ahead ...
Harvest Festival is on October 12th and Music Sunday on October 19th
The church website will be replaced with a new one in the next few weeks. More information soon.

Children’s activities
Just to let you know that School House Trust, our local church charity, is funding the new Youth Club (first meeting September 8th) and the new Children’s Choir (running alongside the Chromatics from October 20th). Other activities will be launched soon.

Sunday Services in September are led by ...
On September 14th by Revd Peter Francis, on the 21st by
Revd Judith Egar and on the 28th by Revd Peter Francis.
Many thanks to our visiting clergy for covering these Sundays.

For our prayers …

St Patrick’s Breast Plate
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger.

On the 12th Sunday after Trinity, a Celtic prayer for protection from
harm ...

We pray for all those who suffer through war. We pray for those having, somehow, to carry on living through the appaling violence of the wars between Ukraine and Russia, between Israel and Palestine and the conflicts in Myanmar, Sudan and the DRC.

We pray for those who are sick. Especially Sue Campbell, Maureen O’Loughlin, Richard Bradley, Bertie Going, Scilla Palmer and any others known to us.

A Gaelic Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and, until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand

What is Celtic Christianity?

Celtic Christianity refers to the early form of Christianity that developed in the British Isles, particularly Ireland, during the first millennium. It featured a decentralised structure, a strong connection to nature, a vivid sense of the spiritual in everyday life, and highly influential monastic communities. It creatively absorbed existing Celtic beliefs and customs alongside Christian teachings, emphasizing a life of spiritual pilgrimage, hospitality, and a holistic view of God's presence in creation.

Important elements of Celtic Christianity, then and now, include:

• Connection to Nature and Creation
God's presence is in all of creation. This leads to a deep reverence for the natural world and its rhythms, as reflected in art like the
Book of Kells.

• Monasticism and Community
Monasteries being centers of spiritual life, focusing on community, hospitality, and seeing life as a spiritual journey or pilgrimage.

• Spirituality and the Unseen
There is a strong belief in a vivid spiritual world, including saints and angels, and the idea of ‘thin places’ where the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is at its thinnest.

• Unique Art and Symbolism
Celtic Christian art, seen in ancient illuminated manuscripts, features intricate designs, Celtic knots, and depictions of animals, reflecting a deep connection to artistry and God's creatures.

• A Modern Revival
In the 20th and 21st centuries, there has been a resurgence of interest in Celtic Christianity. One of the best known Celtic Christian communities is the one based at the Abbey on Iona. Much of our 10a.m. service this Sunday is taken from the Abbey’s service book. The music also is either written from within the Celtic tradition or is reflective of it.

• To find out more, please visit https://iona.org.uk/

This Sunday, September 7th
8 a.m. Holy Communion and, at 10 a.m., our service is at Black Ven Farm. It’s an All-Age Holy Communion using a short, Celtic service from the Iona Abbey Community. A tour of the farm follows for children. Grateful thanks to the Buchanan family.

The Fletching Music and Arts Festival is being launched this year, with concerts on October 16th, 17th and 18th. Loads of information at www.fletchingmusicartsfest.com

~ Follow us on Instagram @fletchingparishchurch ~