News

Values
What are the values by which you try to live?  This whole issue of values came to the fore recently as one of the criticisms made of our last Prime Minister was that he seemed unable to articulate a vision for what he was planning.  Now we have a Prime Minister who is very clear about his vision and he gets criticised for not giving us a detailed plan!  Such is life for our politicians!

It is often said that what underlies much of our law and way of life in the UK is a Christian vision of what society should be.  I leave you to ponder just how true that is but, for we Christians, the likelihood is that the values you thought about in answer to my question at the start are largely Christian ones.  Now, let’s be clear here, that should mean values based on the life and teaching of Jesus rather than regulations introduced by particular Churches.  (Another area for you to ponder!)

Now Jesus’ teaching, over and over again, emphasises the need to care for people and is summed up very clearly in Matthew 25 with Jesus’ story of the end of time.  ‘I was hungry and you gave me food, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’  It’s not wealth or fame or intelligence or good looks that matter, it’s how you help other people.  We see a similar description of Jesus’ values in Luke 4 when he quotes from Isaiah.  ‘He has sent me to proclaim release for the captives and recovery of sight for the blind.’  This little section is often described as Jesus’s manifesto; would that our politicians could do as well in writing theirs!

How much our Christian values are reflected in society at large is an open question, I think.  But if our media is a true reflection of our society, perhaps we should be worried.  What are the values we often see portrayed as normal?  Wealth – try and get more by any means, fame – do what ever it takes to be noticed, intelligence – you’ve got to be smarter than your colleagues, good looks – use every product you can to match the current fashion.  I don’t think these values are shared by most people – yet.  But if the media normalise these behaviours, that could change.

That’s why, as Christians, we are called to live counter-cultural lives, lives that demonstrate Jesus’ values.  Jesus called this the Kingdom of Heaven.  Whether it’s here in all its fullness yet or not, we have to live in it right now and we have to point out other examples of it when we see them.  We have to normalise Jesus’ values.  Not because it’s a chore, something we have to do to belong to Church, but because it’s a joy to follow Jesus and to live his way!

So, my friends, enjoy!
Rev Mike

This week and Next week
Please refer to the calendar on the Parish website for up to date details of the coming week’s events and watch facebook for announcements
https://www.winchcombeparish.org.uk/calendar/
https://www.facebook.com/ParishofWinchcombe/

Please Pray for:
– Those who are sick.
– The recently bereaved.
– Rain for our wildlife and plants.

Church Services this Sunday 9 Aug
– 8.00am Holy Communion at St Peter’s
– 10.00am Morning Worship at Christ Church
– 10.30am Holy Communion at St Peter’s

Church Services Sunday 16 Aug
– 8.00am Holy Communion at St Peter’s
– 9.15am Holy Communion (BCP) at St Michael’s
– 10.30am Holy Communion at St Peter’s
– 6.30pm Sung Evensong at St Peter’s

Readings for 10th Sunday After Trinity
1 Kings 19.9-18
Romans 10.5-15
Matthew 14: 22-33

Readings for 11th Sunday After Trinity
Isaiah 56.1, 6-8
Romans 11.1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: [10-20], 21-28

New Parish Administrator
A reminder that our new Parish Administrator, Mrs Lindsey Young, has now joined us.  You are asked to minimise visits to St Peter’s Centre(SPC) office as she settles in and does her handovers until 2 Sep inclusive.  Starting 3 Sep, normal SPC office opening times outside school holidays will be:

Mons: 2-5pm.
Weds, Thus & Fris: 9am-1pm.

Events
Men’s Breakfast Sun 15 Aug
The men’s breakfasts having been revived, they will take place on the 2nd Saturday (not Sunday!) of the month.  However, this month’s breakfast will be on Saturday, August 15 at 9am in the White Hart.  Do let Chris Haslam know on [email protected] if you would like to attend.

Winchcombe Pride Sat 5 Sep
Join in from 12-4 pm for a Pride picnic in the field behind St Peter’s church. Bring a blanket, bring a picnic, and bring the whole family (including well-behaved dogs on leads!) for a fun day with lawn games, badge making, face painting and a tea tent; thought provoking documentaries and talks; and a walk around Winchcombe featuring interesting historical titbits.  We invite everyone in the LGBTQ+ community and of course our wonderful allies to attend!

Butterfly Count
Join Eco Church in contributing to citizen science! Spend 15 minutes in a green space counting the butterflies you see and report it using the Butterfly Conservation app. Together we can help them monitor the health of Britain’s butterfly population! For more information and to download the app, visit the website: https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org.

Harvest Festival Foodbank Support
With Harvest Festival celebrations being prepared for in Oct, please start to think about what you could provide to help those who need help.  Sadly the need for emergency food in our area still remains incredibly high. During the last year, North Cotswold Foodbank has provided 1794 emergency food parcels to people who can’t afford the essentials.

Things the Foodbank suggests are: long-life milk; tinned meat and fish; coffee/tea; tinned vegetables; tinned fruit; rice pudding; long life fruit juice; table sauces; jams and spreads.  Urgently needed: tinned potatoes; cooking sauces; sponge puddings.

Diocese Weekly Bulletin
https://mailchi.mp/05e93a197199/the-weekly-bulletin-4-august-2026?e=74c7c0836a

Collect for the 10th Sunday After Trinity
Let your merciful ears, O Lord,
be open to the prayers of your humble servants;
and that they may obtain their petitions
make them to ask such things as shall please you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Collect for the 11th Sunday After Trinity
O God, you declare your almighty power
most chiefly in showing mercy and pity:
mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace,
that we, running the way of your commandments,
may receive your gracious promises,
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.