Author: Steve

On every first Wednesday of the month, we distribute food to families who are registered as in need with Social Services. Eduardo is the organiser.

The morning of the distribution, he, or sometimes Adam, drives down to Banco de Alimentos by Merca Centro Comercial, which is between Telde and Las Palmas. At the back of church, we already have stock from previous times, and these are augmented by this new product which they collect from Merca.

Each family has a page in Eduardo’s book with the producs that they require. The distribution starts at around mid-day and continues into the afternoon. Usually, there are 3 or 4 families waiting patiently in the garden, ready to be called up to the south door of the church. I never actually asked, but I guess they are given a time slot to avoid all arriving at the same time!

I went along as an observer on 1st April so that I could write about it here, but as you can imagine, I soon ended up helping out too! Eduardo was on his own, this particular day, so it was appreciated. Sometimes Rick also comes along to help.

This is the first service recorded using the audio mixer and laptop. There were a few problems. The lectern mic didn’t work at the start, so that was edited out. And there was flickering on the video of the altar. I suspect it had something to do with the lighting in the church.

Click on the link below to see the video.

https://youtu.be/H1bgj-fABs8

It is rather a “rough cut”! I will edit it more later today or tomorrow (Monday). We are testing parts of the recording system in preparation for a full properly edited service. Or, of couse, a streamed service. So it will always be recorded “as live” thus minimising the delay in editing it.

To be published at 4pm today

Reflection from today.

From the depths of grief and waiting,
new life is already stirring. Today we
stand close to deep emotion — grief,
waiting and hope. Psalm 130 cries “out
of the depths,” reminding us that honesty
is the beginning of prayer. In Romans we
hear that life is found not in fear or
narrow thinking, but in a Spirit-filled
way of living that brings freedom. And
in the raising of Lazarus, even in tears,
new life emerges where all seemed
finished. The thread through all three
readings is clear: from the depths, life
can still rise.

I’m on the Church House Pulishing mailing list. They are the official publishers of the Church of England and have an interesting selection of Christian books which maybe we could offer for sale (or maybe loan) at the back of church. Here is the link to their website.

Love nurtures gently, stays faithfully, and grows strongest through compassion. Today’s readings hold together tenderness and truth. In Colossians we are encouraged to “clothe ourselves” with compassion, kindness and patience — qualities that nurture life in others. The psalm reminds us that even in trouble, we are not abandoned; love stays close to the broken-hearted. And in the temple, Simeon’s words to Mary show that love is beautiful but never painless. The theme is this: real love nurtures, strengthens and sometimes wounds — yet it always remains faithful.

We have an agreement with Mémora Funeral Company (crematorium in Las Palmas).
Contact Telephones 928480216/900231132.
Website – Mémora open 24 hrs
Special discounts available for funerals referred by Holy Trinity Church.
They also have a pre-paid plan (which is what I have – Ed)

I supscribe to Rupert Sheldrake, a very interesting person with lots of theories about life and spirituality, much of which goes contrary to conventional theory. But one thing about which he has a passion, is Choral Evensong!

Here is a link to an article he wrote in Substack about Patronal Festivals.

Very soon, around the end of the month, maybe in time for Holy Week, we will be recording the service in video or also streaming it at 11am Canary Time.