Dear Friends,
After six long weeks of campaigning, the General Election is underway as I write this morning. Whatever your political persuasion, today is an important day because it gives us all the opportunity to ‘have our say’ in the way our Nation is governed. We are blessed in this country to have the opportunity to participate in elections without fear, and in the knowledge we are free to vote for whomever we please. Many countries around the world do not give their citizens this opportunity; many face violence, intimidation and recriminations. Many are denied the opportunity at all. Voting has not always been a universal right in this country. My great Grandmother fought for the right for women to vote, and alongside her fellow suffragettes, she was willing to suffer for this right. She was imprisoned several times and was force fed. But she never gave up. Likewise, working men fought for the right to vote, which was a privilege granted only to male property holders over a certain age before the twentieth century. The universal right to vote for all men over 18 and for all women over 30 was achieved in 1918 – incredibly only just over 100 years ago. Many of those who fought for our right to vote were dedicated and faithful Christians. Today, many Christians carry forward their belief that all people are equal in God’s sight: equally loved; each uniquely made in God’s image. God looks deeply into our hearts and is pleased when He finds love, kindness, compassion and integrity there. Doing the best we can for others each day and our love for others is expressed in the way we treat others, and in this way we are following in Jesus’s footsteps. I have a deep conviction that Jesus’s way – the way of love, mercy, compassion and kindness – is the best way we can express our faith in action. I want to live in a society where, like Jesus, people prioritise the care of others, especially those in need of help, and where people’s wellbeing is always a key priority.
God Bless,
Clare
Rev’d Clare Coates
Lead Minister for Hardwick, Dry Drayton and Caldecote with Childerley
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org
07818618795
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Instagram: @lordsbridge_team
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LordsbridgeTeam
Services in July and August
Sunday 7 July
9:30am Holy Communion with Revd Clare.
Sunday 14 July
9:30am Holy Communion with Revd Clare.
3:00-4:00pm Wild Church. A fun outdoor service for families and children of all ages.
Sunday 21 July
9:30am Holy Communion with Revd Clare.
Sunday 28 July
9:30am Morning Worship for all ages, with Ali Marcus and Peter Cornwell.
Please note: Revd Clare is on holiday from 22 July to 4 August, and back to work on Monday 5 August.
Sunday 4 August
9:30am Holy Communion with Revd Michael Reiss. All welcome.
Zoom Services
Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service
Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am: https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.
Weekday Services
Wednesdays
1st Wednesday of the month, 9:00am at the Cabin
And in the following weeks, on zoom. All welcome.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89886404258?pwd=TUowNlY3bVBSUThEa0pRTmZoT0liUT09
Friday Night Prayers
You are warmly invited to join us on Zoom to say Night Prayer together on a Friday to mark the transition to the weekend. Short and sweet, we are open for chat from 7:30pm, pray promptly at 7:45 and are finished by 8. Please contact Michaela McNeill for further details: mjvmcn@gmail.com: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71608180893?pwd=fuuOG49PrrXExUf82dKU1H3Lv6fn9W.1
What’s On
Tuesdays – Toddlers in term time
Tuesdays
Alternate weeks either:
12:15pm Meditation with Howard Bigg in the Cabin
or 2:00-4:00pm The Colour Wheel – Hardwick Mindful Colouring Group
£4 donation which includes refreshments and materials. For more information contact Nicky.
Thursdays
10:30am-12noon Bumps and Babies with Ali
Saturdays
1st Saturday of every month: 10.00am-12noon, Pippins, in Hardwick School Hall.
Drop in for a cuppa, cake and a chat!
Useful Contacts
Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org
Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974
Team Administrator: Becca Herrick; rebeccaherrick@lordsbridge.org