NEWS & VIEWS

Today’s Gospel is the story of Jesus’ transfiguration - “the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white”. His baptism is echoed - “from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’” Only Peter, James and John go with Jesus and they “told no one any of the things they had seen.” This denotes the so-called ‘Messianic Secret’: Jesus, for hard-to-understand reasons, continues - even after this this dramatic mountain top miracle - to forbid his disciples from spreading the news about what they are experiencing with him.

TODAY we celebrate the Transfiguration of the Lord, commemorating Jesus revealing his divinity to apostles Peter, James and John. Moses and Elijah appear to them also.

PATRONAL FESTIVAL On Sunday 3 September at 10am we will anticipate the celebration of Our Lady’s Birthday with a Solemn Pontifical Mass followed by a buffet lunch with celebratory drinks. The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford (our Diocesan Bishop) The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, on her first visit to Ilford, will be our Principal Celebrant and Preacher. Please mark this in your diaries and make every effort to be in church for this important occasion in the life of our church and parish.

LEARN TO RING CHURCH BELLS On each Saturday in August from 2-4pm our friends the East London Bell Ringers are holding sessions here at St Mary’s for beginners/learners. All are welcome to come along to try this fun, social, traditional activity. More details from june1gray@hotmail.com / 07817 561263.

SPONSORED WALK On Saturday 9 September Nicky Tann is to walk 50km (31 miles) along the Thames Path in aid of Dementia UK. She would welcome sponsors via justgiving.com/nickytannThamesPath23 and adds “I will also accept cash donations and prayers for my poor feet!”

FR GARETH is on leave, returning on Wednesday 16 August. While he is away, weekday Masses will be on Thursdays only, and any urgent matters should be referred to a Churchwarden. There will be no Evening Prayer during August.

ILFORD MMU BBQ Our Mission and Ministry Unit (MMU) is hosting a FREE BBQ after Mass on Sunday 17 September from 12.15pm in the grounds of St Margaret’s Church, Balfour Road, Ilford, IG1 4HZ. This is an opportunity for the congregations of our 3 churches (St Mary’s, St Margaret’s, and St Luke’s) to get to know each other better over food and drinks. All are welcome!

BLESSING AND DISMISSAL Please note the subtle change to the Blessing and Dismissal (now called Blessing and Commission). The change in the response reflects the sense that at the end of Mass we are not so much ‘dismissed’ as ‘sent out’ into the world and commissioned to proclaim the good news (Gospel) in our lives.

SIM CARDS Fr Gareth has a number of Vodafone SIM cards with 6 months’ free unlimited data, calls and SMS. These are intended for those struggling to pay mobile phone bills. If you would like one, please speak to Fr Gareth in confidence - when he is back from leave - and he will be able discreetly to issue one to you.

REGULAR GIVING Giving to fund the ministry of the Church is an essential part of our Christian faith. Please, if you don’t already, would you consider giving a regular amount? No amount is too small. Using our parish giving scheme is easy and you are in full control (and Margaret Quinney will be pleased to help you if needed). One-off donations can be made using the Parish Giving Scheme, or with the card machine at the back of church, or by putting cash/cheques in the offering plate. Cheques should be made payable to St Mary’s Ilford PCC.

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR

the sick, distressed and bereaved
John & Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Lucy Ball, Amberly Crediton, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Mel Taylor, Bernard Street, Muriel Masters, Keith Holland, Sally Cox, Matthew, Jacqui & Leslie Haigh, Bibi Bacchus, Eddie Burns, Fr Michael, David Weller, Jacob Hope, Fr Elwin Cockett, Brenda Fitter, Katharine & Edward Lewis; Malcolm Avery

the recently departed 

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Nancy Thompson

Monday

John Barnes priest, George Young

Tuesday

Nancy Hassell, Ivy Cracknell

Wednesday

Dorothy Lankester

Thursday

Herbert Wright priest

Saturday

Edith Robinson, Nellie Jameson, Herman Ellis

please pray especially for

Christian unity

ORDER OF SERVICE