Dear People & Friends of St. Clement’s,
With this coming Sunday being the first Sunday in September, St. Clement’s resumes its normal life and activities having been in ‘Summer mode’ during July and August. Also by Sunday, I’m hoping to be 100% better, as I’m currently struggling with a bout of summer flu. The sore throat that I currently have is not conducive to the conduct of public worship and preaching!
Sunday 4th September at 11.00 – Sung Eucharist for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
As well as saying Psalm 1 responsively, we will hear all but the last four verses of a very personal letter written by St. Paul – Philemon 1-21. The letter has a lot to say about offering forgiveness to someone who has wronged us and recognising that the true expression of our faith will sometimes be at odds with cultural norms. Our Gospel reading, Luke 14. 25-33, records some difficult and challenging words of Jesus for us to reflect upon. On Sunday, parallel Children’s Ministry resumes and following worship, Cool Drinks & Light Refreshments will be served at the back of the Church.
It being the first Sunday of the month, I shall then be heading off down the D1 for our regular monthly Brno service, starting at 17.00 in ‘The Upper Room’, corner of Jezuitská and Mozartova, Brno.
Then looking ahead, here are some highlights later in the month.
Sunday 11th September – Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
As well as our Sung Eucharist at 11.00, there will be a Parish Outing to Slavětín nad Ohří, leaving St. Clement’s at 13.00 and returning no later than 20.00. Full details, in glorious technicolour :-) , can be found by clicking the Special Events tab at the top of this page. From previous experience, I can assure you that it will be a great day out and something to which you can invite friends, especially any with an interest in art and architecture. Bookings please to Churchwarden Stephen Weeks, Email c(at)stles(dot)org with ‘Slavětín visit’ in the subject line, or text/call 606 400 800.
Tuesday 13th September 18.30-20.00 in the small meeting room on the first floor of Klimentská 18
Welcome to Prague – What every English-speaking expat needs to know when living in the Czech Republic. We resume our regular Tuesday evening get-togethers over light refreshments. The aim of this first evening is for ‘old hands’ and newcomers to talk together about the joys & pitfalls of living as English-speaking expats in Prague. For the ‘old hands’ to share their experiences of what to do or not to do & for newcomers to be able to ask questions.
Sunday 18th September at 11.00 – Sung Eucharist for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
Tuesday 20th September 18.30-20.00 in the small meeting room on the first floor of Klimentská 18
The film entitled ‘Nefarious‘ will be shown, explaining and addressing the very serious issue of people trafficking. The film will be introduced by Tash Schoultz, who heads the Anti Human Trafficking work of Operation Mobilisation here in the Czech Republic. You can watch a trailer for the film here.
Sunday 25th September at 11.00 – Sung Eucharist for the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
The guest Celebrant and Preacher will be my friend and former colleague Rev’d Kathy Ferguson. Kathy will be known to longer-standing members of St. Clement’s as she provided locum cover for me back in 2010 & 2011. From Thursday 22nd-Monday 26th October, along with Jack Noonan and Gordon Truefitt, I will be in Warsaw, attending the annual meeting of the Eastern Archdeaconry Synod.
Finally for this week…..
With David Hellam being back in Prague, last Sunday’s sermon by Jack Noonan, was recorded. You can listen to it by following this link, where you will also find Jack’s text.
Until Sunday
Best wishes
Ricky
