Dear Friends,

This Sunday celebrates a defining moment in the history of our faith: The Conversion of St Paul. It is an occasion that reminds us how God meets with us, calls us, transforms us, and sends out to serve him in ways we could never imagine.

Our readings (links below) remind us in various ways that God is always in control; God always has the initiative. This is echoed in the Old Testament reading from Jeremiah where we hear of a God who knows us and calls us before we are ready, before we feel well-enough prepared and even before we can speak with confidence.

The same God is at work dramatically on the road to Damascus when he breaks in suddenly to the life of Saul. Saul is a zealous persecutor of Christians until God intervenes. His conversion on that road is not merely a change of opinion, but a total re-orientation of his life. In an instant he is blinded, humbled and re-named, discovering that God’s power is revealed not in certainty or control, but in surrender and obedience.

In our Gospel passage, Peter asks the question which has been on the lips of every believer since: ‘what then will we have?’. In response Jesus reframes the cost and reward in following him. Yes, discipleship involves leaving much behind, but it also leads to a new life shaped daily by God’s generosity, grace and surprising reversals: a kingdom in which the last are first and the first are last.

Yours in Christ,

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Readings & Collect

Jeremiah 1: 4-10

Acts 9: 1-22

Matthew 19: 27-end

Collect:

Almighty God,

who caused the light of the gospel

to shine throughout the world

through the preaching of your servant Saint Paul:

grant that we who celebrate his wonderful conversion

may follow him in bearing witness to your truth;

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.

BCP Collect:

O God, who, through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Saint Paul, hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may shew forth our thankfulness unto thee for the same, by following the holy doctrine which he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Your Prayers

In your prayers this week please remember:

The Church … especially this diocese and for Bishop Michael and Bishop-elect Fiona as she prepares to join this Diocese in February … our clergy, lay ministers and all who serve in these parishes … especially Fran as she prepares to take up her new role in Derby on 18th March.

Pray for the revelation of God’s peace into our world this Epiphany season  … for nations divided by conflict and fear, for leaders who carry the heavy burden of decision, and for all whose lives are scarred by war and injustice; pray especially for the situation in Ukraine, Iran, the wider Middle East and Sudan;

For those who are ill or in distress at home or in hospital, and for those who care for them … for those awaiting test results;

Pray for the faithful departed, especially Brenda, Malcolm and Deborah. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace and be raised in glory.

Contact

Revd Dr Ian Mills, Rector & Area Dean

The Rectory

4 Parsonage Lane

Winford

BS40 8DG

Telephone: (01275) 474504

chewvalleywest@gmail.com

Revd Fran Smettem, Curate

Telephone: (01934) 340682

curatechewvalleywest@gmail.com