Friday 31st July 11.30am 

                                                                                            w/c Sunday 2^nd August 2026

Dear Friends,

As school holidays are upon us, let’s pray for all those who will be visiting our beautiful part of the world.
I know we can sometimes get fed up stuck in traffic, or having to contend with people unfamiliar with driving the Devon lanes.
But what if, instead of getting annoyed with them (yes, I put my hand up here) we offer a quick prayer for those who are stuck in traffic with us (don’t close your eyes when you do this!); or for whom we have had to reverse down the lanes again.
You never know, maybe it will turn our frustration into something else! This is one message definitely aimed at me!

Thought for the week: 

The feeding of the 5,000 is very well known. However, there is more to this miracle than fish and bread.
It occurs in the context of death and grief.
John the Baptist had just been beheaded by Herod Antipas for criticising his marriage to his sister-in-law, who was also his niece. Jesus retreats to the wilderness, not so much out of fear of Herod’s further actions, but out of his need to grieve for John, his cousin.
But Jesus had little time to grieve as a large crowd follows Him there.
They bring their sick for healing; they came with hungry hearts and minds. Jesus’ own grief was lost in the crowd and in their need. Instead, He healed, He comforted, He offered hope.

The day grew late and there was no food in the wilderness. So, Jesus performs this remarkable miracle.
Taking almost nothing, just 5 loaves and 2 fish, He creates abundance.
There was not just enough, there was more than enough. This was a message for Herod and for everyone – actions speak louder than words.
Here was the King of all things challenging this earthly King and showing who really has the power.
A power that is used not to hurt and kill, but to heal and love.

In Jesus’ life we see both words and actions working together. His actions express what he teaches.
He makes it clear that our words must be matched by actions, and that we are called to love in word and deed.

The early Christians were people who won respect by their actions for the poor and sick.
St Francis told his followers to preach by their deeds. This is the same message for us today.
We should not be afraid to be called a “do-gooder” in the literal sense of the word.
It is a label to wear with pride, if that good comes from living out the love of Christ in our lives.

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18:

Notices and Diary

• August 16^th at 5.30pm Joint Songs of Praise in S Brent Methodist Chapel. All welcome
• August 30^th – Mission Community Pilgrimage walk from St Luke’s to St Petroc’s. Morning Worship at St Luke’s at 10am; 9 mile walk St Luke’s to St Petroc’s at 10.45am; tea at St Petroc’s 4pm then Songs of Praise. Bishop James will join us. Further details to follow
• The Community Fridge in South Brent urgently needs a new Coordinator if it is to stay open. This project saves many tonnes of good food that would otherwise go to waste and makes it available for free to the people of South Brent, thanks to a lovely team of

volunteers. If you think you might be interested in helping, please contact fridge@ssb.org.uk

Sun 2^nd Aug                          St Petroc’s Parish Breakfast from 8.30am

Wed 5^th Aug                         St Petroc’s Morning Prayer at 8.30am

Thought for the week at 10am by zoom and telephone

St Petroc’s Parish Lunch 12.30-1.30pm

Fri 7^th Aug                              Morning Prayer at 9am by zoom and telephone

                                                      St Petroc’s PCC at 11am

                                                      Ministry Team at 1.30pm

Sun 9^th Aug                           St Petroc’s Baptism during morning service (Ream)

 Know you are in my heart and in my prayers.
Rev Gina