Dear People & Friends of St. Clements,
Welcome to my second message of this New Year.
I want to start with a word of thanks to several people who promptly hit the ‘reply button’ on receiving last week’s message and sent me back a friendly word of appreciation, an order for CDs (see below), a quick question etc. It is always nice to receive feedback. I do find that I spend a lot of my time at the computer, writing and replying to emails. But many of you say how much you appreciate the contact and how it makes you feel part of the St. Clement’s community. Therefore, as far as I am concerned, it is my time very well spent!
This coming Sunday 16th January at 11am – Sung Eucharist for the Second Sunday after Epiphany
The theme of our worship this Sunday is Jesus being ‘made manifest’ or ‘shown forth’ through the call of his first disciples. The Gospel Reading is John 1. v29-42 which is a most interesting passage as it does indicate that some of Jesus’ disciples were first disciples of John the Baptist. As I frequently suggest – why not read the passage in advance of attending the service?
There should be Sunday School, providing the teaching material finally arrives from the UK.
The service will be followed by a Shared Lunch on the third floor of Klimentská 18. Please bring a plate of food that can be easily shared with others. Hot and Cold Drinks will be provided. We also plan to have a raffle of any Unwanted Christmas presents. So if you have received some perfume that just isn’t you, a book which you’ve already read, a shirt which isn’t your size, please bring it along as well and we will have a raffle of the various items. Please plan this Sunday to stay on after Church for a bit of fellowship, food and fun!
Wednesday 19th January – Meet the Chaplain in Prague City Centre
I will again be available for a chat + coffee or tea & biscuits, between 4pm and 6pm at
Communio Centre Karolíny Svĕtlé 21 (diagonally across from the Rotunda of the Holy Cross) Prague 1
At 6pm, I will say Evening Prayer at the same venue and would welcome others to join me. There is an easy booklet to follow, just as we have on Sunday, and within the service there will be the opportunity for extemporary or silent prayer. The service itself will last no more than thirty minutes.
Then from 6.30pm until 7.30pm, there will be an Informal Bible Study, again at the same venue.
It is always great to know in advance who is coming to any or all of these events. But you are equally welcome just to turn up! And whilst offering the 4pm – 6pm time slot in a central location is so that people can just drop by to chat, I am always willing to meet up with people at other times and in other places by appointment. Just ask!
St. Clement’s needs you!
As I wrote last week, I’m very grateful to the many people who help St. Clement’s run smoothly, in particular on Sunday but also during the week. But we do need more help in a number of areas.
Sunday School – We are in great need of one or two more new Sunday School teachers. Passing on the faith to the next generation is one of the most significant tasks the Church has. Would you be willing to help? We also always need a ‘second adult’ present at Sunday School. Rather than just grabbing another parent at the last moment, I’d like to have a proper rota in place and would welcome volunteers to be part of it. If you are willing to help in either capacity or want to know more about what is involved, please reply to this email or sign up on the St. Clement’s needs you! poster on the noticeboard at the back of Church.
Welcomers – Being at the back of Church to welcome people as they arrive is a very important task. If a new arrival at St. Clement’s is greeted by a smiling face and some words of welcome, they are far more likely to come back the following week! In an ideal world, I would love to have two people on welcoming duty each Sunday but it isn’t possible at present because we don’t have enough volunteers. Again – if you could help, reply to this email or sign on the list.
We could also do with more people to help with Coffee Hour rather than always leaving it to Caroline, people willing to read publicly etc, etc.
‘On the Feast of Stephen’ – Our broadcast service on BBC Radio 4
As mentioned in last week’s message, CDs of this broadcast service are now available. Nearly all of those we initially produced went last Sunday morning so more copies will be made and be available for this Sunday. Because of issues regarding the possible copyright of some music, we are not setting a fixed price but are asking instead for a donation to Church funds. Please be generous!
The service has now been uploaded to our Church website. If you click on this link http://susanaj10.sg-host.com//service-broadast-bbc-radio-four-prague/ and then scroll down the page to the bottom & click on the link there, you can listen to the service online.
Finally for this week….. two other things to publicise
ROOM AVAILABLE
An American PhD student has a single room for sublet in a 65 SQM apartment with a common area,large full kitchen/dining area, washing machine, bathroom with tub and second WC. The apartment has WIFI and digital television, included in the rent. The available room is furnished with a single bed, a bedside table, some shelves, a chest of drawers, an arm chair, and a hanging rack for clothes; however, there is room for additional furniture such as a desk if needed. The apartment is in an historical building occupied mainly by Czech people. 15 minute walk to Mala Strana, 20 minute walk to Old Town. Near Kinsky Gardens and Smichovske Plaz (“beach”). 1 block from the river. minute walk to 2 movie theaters, large shopping mall, lots of restaurants/pubs. The area has a good mix of Czechs and foreigners. The rent is 7000 CZK/month. The security deposit is 1 month rent. The security deposit is returnable. For photographs and additional information, contact Christi at christibrookspdx@gmail.com.
FILM
Churchwarden Carol Sanford has forwarded me details of a film being shown at the American Center, Trziste 13, Prague 1 on Friday 14th January starting at 6pm.
Revolution Girls is the story of four Czech women of the ’89 generation. Philosophy students in Prague in 1989, all took active part in a dramatic historic event, the Velvet Revolution, which brought down the Communist regime. The film explores the legacy of the revolution upon their lives twenty years later.
Jana, a member of the European Parliament, keeps trying to save the world. Alena writes one book after another, probing the past for inspiration that the free but confusing present doesn’t offer. Alice, a successful if reluctant businesswoman, is channelling most of her energies into raising her three children, including an adopted daughter. Pavla has devoted her life to music and spiritual quests.
What’s left of their revolutionary ideals? How many revolutions must a woman go through before she reaches forty? And what can their stories tell us about the time and place they live in?
Carol says, “Best subtitles I’ve ever seen in English . My neighbor is one of the directors. I went to a showing a year ago and thought this film is important and should be seen”. Admission is free.
That’s all for this week. I look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday morning. Best wishes
Ricky
