July 2002

From the Vicarage

Please pray for all those to be confirmed at St. Matthew's this month. We have seven young people and three adult candidates for Confirmation. There are also a few adults who have been participating in the Step by Step course and will be taking this opportunity to Affirm their Baptismal Faith, that is to renew their commitment to Christ.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved with this group, learning more about God and living the Christian way. It is a great encouragement to see people wanting to move forward in their journey of faith. And it challenges all of us to keep walking along the road.

At the Confirmation Service at 6pm on Sunday July 14th we will be welcoming The Right Reverend Peter Broadbent, Bishop of Willesden. Please do come and participate in this very special celebration.

During the Confirmation service, the Bishop addresses all present as follows:

• Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?



• Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

• Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?



• Will you seek and serve Christ in all people, loving your neighbour as yourself?



• Will you acknowledge Christ's authority over human society, by prayer for the world and its leaders, by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice?

With the help of God, I will.

This provides a good opportunity for each of us to take stock of our own life and faith. It is worth spending some time looking at these questions and being honest with ourselves before God, seeking his forgiveness where we have fallen short and his strength to do better in the future.

You will also find several articles this month to help you in your journey of faith: the series on Prayer continues; there are short biographies of some of the Saints celebrated in July, and there is a further challenge to commitment to the Building Fund.

With my love and prayers,

Sue

Building Fund Update

Although we have done some work, there is still more to do. The next things to be tackled are the gutters and drains, as there are various damp patches in church, probably being caused by blocked gutters.

The tree in the drive near the school gates has to be cut down, as it is rotten inside. This is a major job which will take the tree surgeon at least a week in the school summer holidays and will cost £850.

Following this we will get someone in to look at the porch roof which has some missing tiles and leaks.

Finally once the damp patches have been sorted out there are various parts of the church which will need decorating including the sanctuary which will need to be partially re-plastered and repainted.

The response to the building fund appeal has been very good with nearly £1500 raised so far this year but we will need to spend quite a lot of money on the building over the next few years. If you are able to donate money to the fund please use the special envelopes on the table at the back of church and put the envelope in the wall safe.