Thought for the day
The greatest challenge we face with the current situation is uncertainty . While we all live with that in our lives , the thing about this pandemic is that it is something being done to us and we have no control over it . It comes as no surprise then that on our news reports , we get a mix of stories from the very depressing to some great stories about how people are helping each other to get through this time .
So I want to talk about the difference between happiness and contentment . In uncertain times , happiness comes and goes , contentment is what we should aim for . Each day you get out of bed and perhaps one day you are very happy , the next day not so happy , it ’ s changeable . Contentment however , is something different . Alfred Nobel , said that ‘ Contentment is the only real wealth ’, but it is very easy to miss it . The philosopher Bernard Williams said : ‘ We may pass violets , looking for roses ; we may pass contentment looking for victory ’. To say it another way , sometimes we lose sight of the best things in front of us , always looking for something better . Contentment is about appreciating what we already have . The Lord Jesus taught his followers to learn to be content – consider he said , the birds of the air – they don ’ t worry about food and clothing . But he said , you and I who are more precious in the sight of God will be given what we need by our heavenly Father .
To be content , is to know that each day will bring its challenges , some days will be hard , but other days will be better . The English medieval Christian mystic , Julian of Norwich said very simply ‘ All shall be well , and all shall be well , and all manner of thing shall be well .’
Padre Alex Bennett
Places of Worship around Gloucester
CHRISTIANITY
Church of England
St John ’ s ( Reverend Jacqui Hyde )
St Andrew ’ s ( Reverend Jonathan Perkin )
Roman Catholic
Our Lady ’ s ( Father Paul Brandon )
Methodist
Churchdown Methodist ( Reverend Graham Miles )
Baptist
Kendal Road Baptist ( Pastor – Steve Ayers )
Online zoom services until further notice - – check website
Online zoom services until further notice - – check website
Check website
Online zoom services until further notice - – check website
Check website
Traditional style , with children ’ s work alongside
Modern style , with children ’ s work alongside
Mass , with children ’ s work alongside
Rotation of Holy Communion , All age worship , and normal Sunday Worship
All age service , with children ’ s work alongside
St Johns Avenue , Churchdown , GL3 2DB ( at crossroads with Hare and Hounds ) www . stjohnschurchdown . co . uk
Station Road , Churchdown , GL3 2JT new . standrewschurchdown . org . uk
66 Cheltenham Road East , Churchdown , GL3 1HU www . ourladyschurchdown . org . uk
Chapel Hay Lane , Churchdown , GL3 2ET www . churchdownmethodistchurch . org . uk
Kendal Road , Longlevens , GL2 0NB krbc . org . uk
JEWISH
Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community ( Rabbi Anna Gerrard )
MUSLIM
Masjid e Noor
Khoja Shi ’ s Muslim Community
HINDUISM
Gloucester Pillaiyar Temple
7 days a week 9am - midday , 6 - 9 pm www . gljc . org . uk
44-46 Ryecroft Street , Gloucester , GL1 4LY www . majidenoor . org . uk
Wainsbridge , 69 Bristol Road , Quedgley , GL2 4NE
Badminton Road , Matson , GL4 6AY gloucesterpillaiyar . business . site
GURKHA
Temple As required Imjin Barracks
ARRC Padre the imjin SPRING 2021
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