Joy’s Jottings, May 2018

 Marvellous May

 May, definitely a month of Spring in the Northern hemisphere, no matter how you calculate the seasons. A month of bursting energy and growth in Creation.

That is certainly the case for our Church Year this May. The month is packed with celebration and vitality.

As May begins we are still feeling the elation of Easter and the Good News of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The 10^th of May is Ascension Day, when we remember and celebrate the day Jesus returned to his Father, to reign in Glory for eternity, leaving his disciples to proclaim the Good News through the ages.

They were empowered to do that through the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and we remember that time and pray for that same gift for all today’s disciples, just ten days after Ascension, on the 20^th of May.

Between Ascension and Pentecost, we are invited to join in the global wave of prayer entitled Thy Kingdom Come, as we have done in the past two years. Check out the diocesan website, dioceseofcoventry.org for more information and resources. There is even a specially written song this year, it’s called Thy Kingdom Come. There is a video and music to download.  If you do nothing else do join in by saying the Lord’s Prayer each day.

A week after Pentecost, on the 27^th of May, we come to Trinity Sunday, when we are reminded of the mystery of the wonderful relationship between God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, three persons yet one God. It is a paradox too deep for us to comprehend, but we can feel the love of the Father, walk with Jesus the Son and know the guidance of the Holy Spirit, all by God’s grace.

The month ends, the Lectionary tells us, with two ‘specials,’ the thanksgiving for the Institution of the Holy Communion (Corpus Christi) and the remembrance of the Virgin Mary’s visit to Elizabeth.

There is local celebration in May too. Archbishop Justin Welby visits Rugby on May 3^rd as part of the Diocesan centenary year; check out the posters at church and the diocesan website for more information.

There’s also our own Wakes celebration, with a parade and the Bilton Silver band at 10am on the 13^th of May.

Then our Church Wardens will be admitted to office and will declare their intention to, ‘faithfully and diligently’ discharge their duties, on 23^rd of May, on the occasion of the Archdeacons’ Visitation.

Add in two Bank Holidays and the schools’ half term … it really is a festal and festive month!

Love Prayers and Blessings, 

 Joy

Thy Kingdom Come chorus

We are watching, we are waiting,

We are hoping, we are praying,

We’re believing, let your Kingdom come…

Yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, Amen, Amen.