Many of you may already have seen Rev Margaret Slyfield in the White peak Parishes. Rev Margaret is currently Associate Minister in the Buxton Team but is joining the White Peak Benefice to assist Reverend Adele in the White Peak, particularly with Chelmorton, Earl Sterndale and Taddington.Margaret has written the following introduction: I live in Tideswell, sharing a house with my mother. I have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. I love spending time with family, listening to music and reading. I am a self-supporting minister (SSM), so I work part-time in the mornings at Markovitz in Tideswell.I was ordained in Derby Cathedral in 2014. I served my curacy in Buxton,then licenced as Associate Priest to the 6 churches there. I strongly feel that as children of God, lay and ordained, we are called to play a part in God’s mission in our part of the world. We have gifts and talents and are to use our God-given gifts for the benefit of all, so that we can grow and feel nurtured in our faith through learning and discipleship.I am excited for the future of both benefices under Adele’s leadership. As the team continues to grow, this gives more possibilities for ministry in our benefices.I look forward to getting to know you better over the coming month
June is a month of growth and beauty – in this country certainly, as we often experience warmer (often hot) weather and many plants reach their most beautiful in appearance.It’s hard to ignore the way in which plants ‘grow’ (whether classified as weed or not in our minds); growth in size, in depth of colour, in flower production and in the setting of fruit. It seems as if at the roadside, through cracks in the pavement, in gutters and gardens transformation continues apace as spring turns to summer.In the church year we step into a season of growth as well, growing in our following of Jesus through what is known as Ordinary time. That can sound quite dull, even though it begins with Trinity Sunday, reminding us of the mystery and wonder that is God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit but building on that we can grow, moment by moment, day by day, through the ‘ordinary’ things of life, following Jesus in our workplaces, in our schools, in our homes, together as we worship and when we are alone, letting the Holy Spirit fill us with hope, joy and peace and giving us the power to truly live for God.It's that daily growing as we follow that continually transforms our lives, helping us to become more like Jesus in every action, every word, every thought and then, slowly but surely, the church itself grows (in number and depth) and our communities are built up, as we, individually and collectively live out our calling to serve and to tell, demonstrating the love and goodness of God. It’s often challenging and can be tough, being transformed, but as God’s people, loved deeply and abundantly by Him we can trust the process, especially as we stay close.Other people often say these things so much more effectively and so I want to leave you with a prayer that anyone can pray and encourage you to use it as you follow:Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus ChristFor all the benefits you have given me,For all the pains and insults you have borne for me.O most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,May I know You more clearly,Love You more dearly,Follow You more nearly … day by day.(attributed to St. Richard of Chichester).Let’s daily ask for God’s transforming love and power to fill us, helping us to grow in Him all the way through ‘Ordinary’ time – time that is anything but!
For more details, please see the attached poster and let the organizers know by the afternoon of Monday 15th May
Love your Burial Ground Week is a celebratory week which has been running for many years. Caring for God’s Acre has been encouraging all who help to look after churchyards, chapel yards and cemeteries to celebrate these fantastic places in the lovely month of June – in any way you choose. For more information on how to take part, visit https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/get-involved/love-your-burial-ground-week/
