Welcome to our July edition of'The God who Speaks'newsletter - created by the God who Speaks Team at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England & Wales in partnership with Bible Society.
Every month we offer you updates on news, events and resources which we hope you'll find beneficial for your engagement with the Bible - whether individually, as a family, as an online community, parish or school, or to share the Scriptures more broadly.
With every best wish, Bishop Peter M. Brignall, Chair, the God who Speaks Team.
JULY SCRIPTURE:
MATTHEW 12: 47-50 47 Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” 48 But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY This month we celebrate families worldwide.
With Pope Francis instituting a 'Year of the Family' we offer an exciting range of articles, resources and activities for all age groups: godwhospeaks.uk/focus/year-of-the-family Who do you think you are Biblically? Reflect on who you relate to in the Bible with activities. St Joseph teaches us the way. Our Schools' worksheet on Adoption and the Bible for today.
Moving video of a Dad who adopted last year.
Poster on Anna and Simeon in Scripture. Celebrating two amazing older Biblical people. Practical help with Family Bible reading. Avril Baigent from Northampton offers some great wisdom and practical tips for family bible sharing. Our Top Ten Family Values: who in the Bible made our list and what was their story?godwhospeaks.uk/our-top-ten-family-values
BETWEEN THE TESTAMENTS St John's Gospel.
In the second article in this exciting new series, Fr Michael Hall, from Leeds Diocese explores
St John’s Gospel, and how extra-biblical material helps our understanding of it, particularly as we consider the role that the Temple plays in this unique gospel. godwhospeaks.uk/between-the-testaments/where-god-meets-humanity
WOMEN IN SCRIPTURE PODCAST Our new God who Speaks podcast series celebrates the lives and influence of women in Scripture. Natalie Orefice, Advisor for Parish Evangelisation at the Archdiocese of Birmingham presents a monthly podcast with dynamic women from across the Diocese, each focussing on a different woman in the Bible.
This series asks who are these biblical women and what they can teach us today?
Each podcast is accompanied by extra reading and resources for those who hunger for more. birminghamdiocese.org.uk/women-in-scripture
SOCIETY OF ST GREGORY SUMMER SCHOOL of LITURGY & MUSIC.
4-6 August, via Zoom.
Our theme is ‘The God Who Speaks: Celebrating, living and sharing God’s Word’ with Sr Margaret Atkins, Fleur Dorrell, Bob Hurd, Nicholas King SJ, David McLoughlin, Dan Schutte and Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ - who will explore the different ways that God speaks to us.
Bishop Peter Brignall, the initiator of ‘The God Who Speaks’ campaign, will introduce our 2 days of prayer, contemplation, discussion and debate. We will be accompanied by liturgies and music.
A great experience for everyone interested in enriching their faith through art, music, the environment, discerning God's voice, Scripture and translation, challenges, hope and recovery.
Details and online booking available at: https://www.ssg.org.uk/summer-school-2021/
or by emailing bookings@ssg.org.uk
NEW RESOURCE: ROOM FOR GOD
Room for God: At home with the sacred is a creative and beautiful new tool designed to help you find God in every part of your house. Taking you on a tour of each room, as well as outdoor space, it includes Bible texts, prayers and meditations, creative activities and ideas for social action. From ten-minute challenges to deeper meditations, there’s something for everybody and for any time of the day. Key Features You will develop spiritual habits and routines by:
Listening to how God is with you through the day.
Reflecting on your concerns more freely.
Discerning some decisions more clearly.
Trying out a variety of spiritual practices.
Valuing the power of silent meditation.
Experiencing God everywhere, not just in church.
£3.99 https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/products/room-for-god/
GOD WHO SPEAKS OFFICIAL PRAYER Living God,
you walk alongside us
and speak to us throughout the Scriptures.
Your Son, Jesus Christ,
listens to our hopes and fears
and shows us how to live for one another.
Send us the Holy Spirit
to open our hearts and minds
so that we may be your witnesses
throughout the world. Amen.
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