Dear People of St. Clement’s,
Since I wrote and sent out my previous Midweek Message, I’ve had a busy but most enjoyable weekend. And since last Sunday, I’ve been preparing for what is going to be an even busier few days between now and late on the afternoon of Sunday 12th September.
Last Saturday, I conducted the wedding of Jan (a Czech) & Allison (an American) at St. Clement’s Church. The couple have worshipped with us on a number of occasions including the previous Sunday when Allison’s parents were also with them. The wedding reception, to which Sybille & I were also invited, was held in the grounds of the home of Jan’s mother in the village of Klokočna which is 30 miles/48 km east of Prague. We drove out there in my car and stayed overnight in the ‘village penzion’ and drove back early on Sunday morning in order to lead worship at St. Clements at 11am. This was the reason I was dressed in my best suit + clerical shirt & collar last Sunday morning. My thanks to two gentlemen in the congregation who congratulated me on my sartorial elegance!
Yesterday afternoon & evening, I had my first session at the Communio Centre at Karolíny Svĕtlé 21, Prague 1, combining Coffee & Chat with the Chaplain that has now moved from Tuesday to Wednesday, with Bible Study, which has moved from the Chaplaincy Flat & Thursday, to Wednesday. And in between I said Evening Prayer. It was disappointing that Sybille & I said Evening Prayer together with no one else present but I was grateful for one additional customer for Bible Study. However, I do know that others plan to be present next week. Why don’t you plan to join us as well? More details in the announcements below.
At lunchtime today, I’m meeting with a small group to plan a new series of fortnightly lunchtime meetings aimed particularly at business people who work in Prague City Centre. We hope to start on Thursday 21st October & there will be more information & publicity in due course.
Then early this afternoon, I shall be driving to the other end of the Czech Republic to Valtice in Moravia, in order to conduct a wedding there tomorrow afternoon. As Sybille & I have also been invited to the reception, we won’t be back in Prague until Saturday lunchtime. However, if you do need to contact me, I will have the Chaplaincy mobile with me.
Mentioning the Chaplaincy mobile reminds me to reiterate something I wrote in a Midweek Message about a year ago. As is clearly stated in my email signature below, the Chaplaincy mobile number is 737 039 082. You can always call this number, particularly if you don’t get an answer from the landline in the Chaplaincy flat. You can also always send an sms/text message to 737 039 082. But please don’t try sending an sms/text message to my landline 233 310 266. In the past week, two people have done this & let me explain what happens. A text message in English sent to a landline, gets transliterated in a phone call to the landline, as it would be pronounced in Czech!!!!!! It comes out as a garbled message which it is completely impossible to understand!
I do know who one of the two culprits was as he then rang me a hour later, aware of his mistake. But who the other message was from I do not know. So if you have my numbers in your mobile phone, please clearly identify 737 039 082 as my mobile & 233 310 266 as my landline.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday 12th September – Sung Eucharist for Trinity 15 There will be parallel Sunday School and the service will be followed by a Bring & Share Lunch. The theme will be Picnic Basket (or carrier bag) e.g finger food such as sandwiches, pastries, cold pies, quiche, hardboiled eggs, sushi, chicken legs, breadsticks, crisps, slices of cake, cheese and fruit. Basically, bring something along these lines to be shared by all who attend. This event will be an excellent opportunity to both welcome and get to know new arrivals at St. Clements as well as to catch up with each other after the summer break.
Sue Anderson is masterminding the lunch & it would help her if you could email her saying that you will be present & what you are planning to bring.
Following the Shared Lunch, there will be a meeting of the Church Council for which your prayers would be valued.
Then, after the Church Council meeting, I shall be conducting a service for a British couple who are in Prague for a long weekend to celebrate their Ruby Wedding Anniversary and wish to give thanks & renew their marriage vows. That’s what I mean by a busy few days!
Wednesday 15th September from 4 – 6pm – Meet the Chaplain in Prague City Centre
I shall once again be available for a chat + coffee or tea & biscuits, between 4pm and 6pm at
Communio Centre Karolíny Svĕtlé 21 (nearly opposite the Rotunda of the Holy Cross) Prague 1
Karolíny Svĕtlé itself lies between Charles Bridge and Národní třída. A reminder that this regular weekly event has now moved from Tuesday to Wednesday each week.
At 6pm, I shall lead a simple said service of Evening Prayer at the same venue. There will be 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. Over the following Wednesdays, 15th, 22nd & 29th September + 6th October, there will be a series of studies based on the Letter of James, one of the most practical books in the whole of the New Testament. If you can bring your own Bible – great! But I will also have the Biblical text printed out for those who come without a Bible. You do not have to have a fount of Biblical knowledge to attend – in fact it is probably preferable if you don’t!!!!! No one will be put on the spot or embarrassed. That I promise.
At 7.30pm, everyone can either go home OR those who would like to, can join Sybille & I in a nearby restaurant for fellowship over an evening meal.
Looking further ahead…… Some more dates for your diary
Thursday 23rd September The monthly daytime discussion group ‘Open Minds’ will resume at the home of H.K.. Nibbles & refreshments from 11.30am with discussion getting underway at midday. The topic is being finalised as I write but it probably will resolve around issues relating to the Roma population, both here in the Czech Republic and with reference to what has been recently happening in France. More details in next weeks message.
Saturday 25th September A day trip to Kutna Hora.
Particularly aimed at newcomers to show them something of the Czech Republic beyond Prague. But open to all. There will be a list to sign up on at the back of Church this coming Sunday.
Sunday 26th September
Following our Eucharist, there will be an Extraordinary Church Meeting to elect new Churchwardens. All those on the Church Electoral Roll are actively encouraged to attend. Nominations in writing with a proposer & seconder & the consent of the candidate are required in advance of the meeting. Please give this matter your prayerful & practical concern.
That’s all for this week as I need to get ready to drive to Moravia!
Best wishes
Ricky
