Mother's Union

At a recent meeting Jane came to talk to us about the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament.

These, the religious songs of the Jews, were usually accompanied by harps or other stringed instruments.  They number 150 and 73 are ascribed to David.  I'm sure that all of us have our favourites.  They are all prayers of outpouring feelings towards God.

In the Book of Common Prayer a psalm is appointed to be read or sung each day. They are divided into Psalms narrating history i.e. 81, 105,114 and 137 of praise i.e. 47,67 and 150 and psalms of despair and hope i.e. 6,40,41,51 adn 150.

Jane led us in reading some of these uplifting Psalms and played musical examples.  How we all sang along "By the waters of Babylon where we sat down".  Jesus would have been very familiar with the Psalms, also many would have been sung by pilgrims on their way up to Jerusalem.  Many paraphrases are now used.  The book of Psalms is still a great devotional book.

At the Diocesan Council meeting at Wetherby, Carolyn Peuleve (the Diocesan President) thanked all members for their support and prayers.  The guest speakers were the Rural Officer Andy Ryland and Kathryn Fitzsimmons the Urban Officer.  They spoke about their Diocesan work on the issues facing the Church.  It was shown that many of these issues apply in both areas.

The Bye Buy Childhood Campaign is still ongoing and is now focusing on children's clothing retailers.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

God never built a Christian strong enough to carry today's duties and tomorrow's anxieties piled on top of them.