HTC | Holy Trinity Clapham

An interview on worry and anxiety with Jamie Mulvaney and Will Van Der Hart.

Rev Will Van Der Hart is Pastoral Chaplain at HTB. He is a founding director of The Mind and Soul Foundation, a mental and emotional health think tank with an international reach.

Jago continues our series in Philippians.

Intercession is when we are moved to respond to situations, incidents, problems, where we see God’s will is not being done, where there is suffering, discord, sickness, heartbreak, in prayer, and we ask for God’s will to break through in those situations. It is one of the greatest privileges we have as Christians to be invited by God to play a part in the shaping of history through prayer. It is also a powerful tool in uniting God’s church as we come together with one common purpose.

Here are some prayer points to help with this based on Jago’s points:

Pray for racial justice:

• For an end to discrimination

• For there for to be equality

Pray for racial harmony:

• For an end to hostility

• For there to be reconciliation

If you would like to think more about the area of racial justice / equality and racial harmony / reconciliation, here are three helpful talks:

Acts 2:1-13 - Michael John

https://www.holytrinityclapham.org/talks/2018/10/28/the-spirit-unites

Ephesians 2:11-21 - Jamie Mulvaney

https://www.holytrinityclapham.org/talks/2019/9/8/the-surprise-of-peace

Galatians 3:26-29 - Nicky Gumbel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7KiCEAQiOc

If you would like to read more about the issue of racism, here is a Christian book that might be helpful: We Need To Talk About Race: Understanding the Black Experience in White Majority Churches by Ben Lindsay

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07TZHLF8Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_o01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tim Jones continues our journey in Philippians and looks at how we can keep going with God and others.

Ambition can be a difficult thing for Christians to grapple with. It’s great when it's for God's glory, but it’s so easy to make it all about ourselves. We can strive so hard in this world with selfish ambition that will never bring joy, whereas when our ambitions are for Jesus then we learn more of the fullness of life and joy he brings. Two Kingdom ambitions we can grow in right now are deepening our dependence on Jesus and using our rooftops to proclaim Jesus.

Jago speaks this week on how we don't need to be running scared as we continue our Restricted But Advancing Series.

Amidst the battles of this season, and with it being Mental Health Awareness Week, Jamie looks at what we can learn from the biblical experience of lament. We worship the Man of Sorrows, who meets us in our pain and we meet him in his. So rather than suppressing pain, instead we offer it to God. The Man of Sorrows is also the resurrected Jesus, and with him the worst thing is never the final thing. We as the church can be a place of solidarity and transformation as we find the blessing in the middle of the battle.

If this talk raised particular issues for you we hope you find these resources helpful:

- The Samaritans can be contacted for anything that’s troubling you, no matter how large or small the issue feels. Call 116 123 anytime or email [email protected] or find out more at https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/ Other International helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.

- Many of us will suffer from mental health problems and the best place to start is by visiting your GP so they can assess what is going on and how they can best help you. For more info on what this will involve and how you can prepare for that, visit: http://www.mentalhealthaccesspack.org/practical-tips/accessing-help/

- If you would value a chat and prayer, just as we would usually offer during a regular Sunday service, please click the button below to fill out a Pastoral Support Form - someone will be in contact with you very soon: PASTORAL SUPPORT FORM button (from wellbeing page)

- We want to make sure we are looking after our wellbeing in all areas during this season of disruption and uncertainty. Find out more at https://www.holytrinityclapham.org/whats-on/wellbeing

- If you would like to explore counselling, we are partnering with Heart and Mind for Christian counselling. You can find out more here: https://www.heartandmind.london/appointment-clapham

- For articles on how to support your mental health through coronavirus, visit Mind and Soul’s page on this https://mindandsoulfoundation.org/Publisher/Search.aspx?searchType=2&searchString=coronavirus and the Church of England’s page: https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-action/mental-health-resources/supporting-good-mental-health

- Concerns about children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable should be reported to our Safeguarding team as soon as possible and will always be dealt with quickly and sensitively. https://www.holytrinityclapham.org/safeguarding

Josh Moxon continues our series Restricted But Advancing looking at Philippians 3:1-14, encouraging us to make sure we keep what's most important at the centre.

Ros Williams continues our series looking at friendship.

Jamie looks at Philippians 2:19-30 and what we can learn about friendship in lockdown from Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus. We see a passion for God that flows into compassion for people. With this compelling blend of conviction and compassion, we not only forge deep and genuine friendships, but we advance the Gospel together.