In the church building today 10 am Holy Communion 6.30pm Evensong (Said, with hymns)
This week: Wed 7.15 am Choir practice Friday 9am Morning prayer in church 10.30am Friday Group in the Church Hall
Sat 10-3pm Garden party at 17 Zambra Way
Next Sunday 10 am Holy Communion 6.30pm Evensong (Said, with hymns)
TRINITY 3 Today's readings have a "tree" theme. Ezekiel describes the nation of Judah (the southern tribes around Jerusalem) as a tree, planted by God, but which has now been cut down, since Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians and many of the population taken into forced exile. Is it all over for them, or can this tree grow back again? Jesus also uses the imagery of growth in his parables, but the "tree" he describes is very different.
Do you have a favourite tree? What is it about the tree that you love?
What does it feel like to you to be welcomed and included? Are there times when you haven't felt like that?
You might like to find a patch of overgrown scrub and watch it for a while to see what visits it, feeds on it, or makes its home in it. The Merlin bird app is great for identifying the birds you can hear but not see, and iNaturalist can help you identify insects and plants. There's often a lot more going on than we think!
All Age Ideas Do you like trees? They are all different. Some are big and dramatic. Others are small and ordinary. But all of them can be home to lots of different creatures. Jesus tells a story in today's Gospel reading about a tree that grows from what he calls a "mustard seed". The tree he is talking about is probably a tree called Salvadora Persica, but it has other names too - the Peelu tree, the Miswak tree, or even the "toothbrush" tree, because people make toothbrushes out of its twigs, like the one on the left!
It is often more like a large, overgrown bush than a tree - very untidy and sprawly, but great for providing nesting and roosting places for birds, and food for many creatures, including people (as well as toothbrushes). It doesn't look very special, and it can be a nuisance if it gets overgrown, but it is an important plant. Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like that. It can grow from something very small - a kind act or word by just one person - but grow into something big which helps a lot of people and has room for everyone.Have you got any favourite trees? What makes them special to you?
Spend some time sitting quietly near an overgrown, wild scrubby patch of land, like a bramble thicket. Listen and look. What comes and goes from it? What lives or feeds on it.? (You could ask a grown up to download the Merlin and/or iNaturalist apps to their phones - Merlin will listen to the bird song and tell you what birds are around - you might not be able to see them, but you can hear them. iNaturalist will help you identify plants, birds, animals and insects from photos).
What makes you feel welcome and included in groups you are part of?
CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS
Watch out for events between June 15th- 22nd to mark the Great Big Green Week, and Count on Nature week which aims to survey the wildlife in churchyards. There will be someone from the Eco Church team in the churchyard between 6 and 8pm every evening, with suggestions to help us see what flora and fauna we have, including a bat survey! Details to follow.
GARDEN PARTY AT 17 ZAMBRA WAY SEAL IN AID OF SEAL CHURCH SATURDAY JUNE 22nd . Garden Party 22nd June 17 Zambra Way Starts at 10.00 till 3.00 Stalls Plants, Cakes, Grifts& Bric-brac Light Lunch Menu Tea & Coffee And Maggie's Famous Quiche
SEAL GARDEN SAFARI SUNDAY JUNE 30th Sunday 30th June 12-5pm £6 per person £5 if paid in advance Tickets from Seal village stores or Frances Fish 01732 760007 or 07749240456 Children accompanied by adult free Money to go to Cancer and Mind charities Raffle and plant stall at 2 Zambra way Refreshments now at 2A Zambra way ( not at the allotment) Tickets now available from Seal Supermarket
FREE ART EXHIBITION - VILLAGE HALL June 29th and June 30th Donations will go to Seal Village Hall fund Saturday 29th June 12 - 4 pm Sunday 30th June 11 - 4pm Seal Village Hall There will be a lovely selection of artwork from the Thursday U3A art group which meets in Seal Village Hall each week. We are also having a board with some small pieces of artwork from each of our members for sale costing £5 which will be sold and the money will be going to the Seal Village Hall fund.. Other artwork will be on sale ... please come and browse and enjoy the atmosphere!
HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE PARISH GIVING SCHEME? Back in the Autumn we signed up for the Parish Giving Scheme which is a simple system to replace Standing Orders as a way of giving to the church, and automates the collection of Gift Aid for those who are tax payers, which saves a great deal of time and effort on the part of the volunteers who help to look after the churches finances and means we get the Gift Aid very quickly. It would be great if more people could give through this scheme, as it simplifies the administrative burden so much! If you are a regular giver to Seal (or would like to become one!) please would you consider using this route for your donations. You can find out more here, or contact us if you would like to know more, by emailing financesealpandp@gmail.com
Do you like trees? They are all different. Some are big and dramatic. Others are small and ordinary. But all of them can be home to lots of different creatures. Jesus tells a story in today's Gospel reading about a tree that grows from what he calls a "mustard seed". The tree he is talking about is probably a tree called Salvadora Persica, but it has other names too - the Peelu tree, the Miswak tree, or even the "toothbrush" tree, 
because people make toothbrushes out of its twigs, like the one on the left!
Watch out for events between June 15th- 22nd to mark the Great Big Green Week, and Count on Nature week which aims to survey the wildlife in churchyards. There will be someone from the Eco Church team in the churchyard between 6 and 8pm every evening, with suggestions to help us see what flora and fauna we have, including a bat survey! Details to follow.
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