Activities | History | Nurture

July and August 2025 magazine

stjohnstmarkchurchburySaturday, June 28, 2025

Here’s a link to the July and August 2025 magazine, which is now available in paper copy in both our churches.

In this bumper Summer edition, we have lots of news about forthcoming events in and around our area. We also have updates from many of our groups, and information about the CAP Debt Centre.

In addition, the July and August 2025 magazine has a piece on the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and this letter from David…

Let us pray

Dear friends, welcome to our Summer issue of the magazine. I suppose this could be regarded as one of the most difficult to write an editorial for, as we have little in the way of ‘season’ in our Church life and much ‘ordinary time’. It is sometimes also harder to find material for our magazine as some of our Church activities and groups will likely close over these weeks as people take a holiday and organisations close.

There was a time, and possibly this still happens, when our Church services could be slightly shorter in August in that we may omit a reading or leave out the Nicene Creed as examples. Although there may be a practical reason for this, I always felt it strange because whilst the Church may be on a holiday during August, God is not, and is with us like he is the other 11 months of the year.

One way in which he is with us is through the act of prayer. Prayer has been a focus for us over the last few weeks in a variety of ways. We have reflected during the period of Thy Kingdom Come, joined Churches Together friends for Prayer in the Park and the Transforming Prayer Community continues to provide helpful resources. This year also sees the 1700th anniversary of the original Nicene Creed (more details in the magazine) and this may also give us an opportunity to reflect in a prayerful way.

The Lord’s Prayer

During the recent season of Thy Kingdom Come, the focus was on the Lord’s Prayer, familiar words which unite us all (again, more in the magazine).

I was drawn to the first word of the prayer – ‘Our’. Not ‘Your’ or ‘My’ but ‘Our’. This is the relationship we all share as a larger family of Christian brothers and sisters. We say ‘Our’ because it puts us alongside each other wherever we are in the world and at whatever time of the year.

As you read this article, there will be many people across the globe reciting the words of the Lord’s Prayer, and as you maybe say this prayer yourself, you will be joining with many unknowns at the same time.

Whilst we may take a break from our activities over the next few weeks, go our separate ways or worship elsewhere, then the one thing we can all do together is pray. There are various ways to do this and there are many resources available to help you. Or you may just be able to find time to yourself in quiet contemplation without the need for words or structure. The point is, that even if we are not together in person over the coming weeks, we are all still united by ‘Our Father’ and the shared love he has for us all.

Whether you are having a holiday this summer, a break from a group, or continuing your regular activities, please spend some time in prayer, remembering that by doing so you are not alone. To quote Acts 1.14 “They were constantly devoting themselves to prayer”.

I wish everybody across the Benefice a peaceful and restful summer. Yours in Christ, David Robinson