Coastal Church

We are delighted to announce that Lloyds Bank Community Fund has awarded FREEdom Cafe

£3,000 thanks to your votes.  We will be using the money to improve the facilities for families with young children (a baby-changing station in the toilets and new high chairs)  plus a new water boiler in the kitchen and other improvements which should make our kitchen service more efficient.

Many thanks to all who voted for us, online, by SMS text message and in person in the bank.  We hope to see you soon at FREEdom Cafe.

On 5th May we gather together in Beer to restart an old Rogation Sunday tradition; the blessing of the harvest and the fishing fleet.  The service starts at 10.00am in St Michael’s Church, before setting off for the allotments and finally the beach.  All those who make it ot the end will be rewarded with a voucher for a free tea or coffee from the beach cafe’s.

Rogation Sunday is the other end of the year from Harvest Sunday.  We ask God’s blessing on the work of farmer and fisherman over the seasons to come.  We’ll also ask God’s blessing on our tourist trade as that’s something our local economy relies on more and more.  If you want to see how this was done in 1957 then follow the link.

Tuesday was a sad day for the Church of England:  Sad, because nobody won, and the Church consigned itself to several more years of bickering.  Sad, because the Church’s democratic structures were properly followed and yet despite overwhelming support the Measure failed.  Sad, because many women, ordained and not, hoping to become bishops and not, were given the message that they are second class in God’s Church.  Sad, because those who opposed the vote have placed themselves in a position where their stance will come under intense public scrutiny leading to an outcome that will leave them far more marginalized than they feared from this Measure.

If you want an intelligent, pastoral and non-knee-jerk reaction to these events than I recommend Bishop Stephen Croft’s address to Sheffield Diocesan Synod this last Saturday.  For something more light-hearted but none-the-less thought provoking you might try this from the excellent Sojourners website.

You might also like to sign this petition calling for consecration in the Church of England to be open to women as it is to men.

Working with children in Primary Schools? So are we, and we’re trying to get better at it; teaching them the Gospel stories with a fun, honest and open approach. We’ve found a fantastic resource called “Open the Book” to help us. And, to help us even more Katherine Lyddon, the Diocesan Children’s Work Advisor has agreed to come along and kick start things with a little training. It’s open to all. To find out more look at our “Courses” page.