Signpost 49 (12 April)

Welcome back to Signpost. This is our 49^th edition, and since we started sending you these regular updates so much has changed. From this week, shops, community centres and other services are re-opening and are cautiously following the roadmap into the summer.

We would like to hear from you about how you have found the last 49 issues of Signpost. What kinds of things would you like to see? As lockdown comes to an end do you still want to hear from us? Please email us at charitableimpact@stmonicatrust.org.uk to help us plan for the future.

This week in 1881, The Natural History Museum in London was opened. In 1935 the first flight of the Bristol Blenheim, a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of WW2, took place. During this week in 1946 English actress Hayley Mills was born, and in 1968 American oil tycoon Robert McCullough bought London Bridge for one million pounds.

REFLECT

Westbury fields’ Pastoral Care Coordinator, Colin, has produced another reflection. You can watch Colin reflect here on the wisdom of God and chapter 1 of the letter to James.

CONNECT

As mentioned above, the National History Museum turns 140 this week. The doors may still be closed but you can use the internet to explore the building and its’ vast collections. Alternatively, you can try the immersive experience here. Make sure to turn up the volume!
Redmaids' student Esther has sent across her video for April, in which she recites The Moment by Margaret Atwood, and the opening to Under Milk Wood, a play by Dylan Thomas. She finishes off with a wonderful piano performance of a Mazurka by Chopin.

LEARN

The Union Flag became the official flag of Britain in 1606. The original flag combined the flags of Scotland and England. You can find out more about the flag here. Watch this video to hear why Wales isn't represented in the Union Flag.

April 12^th is the start of the Muslim month of Ramadan. Based on the Islamic calendar, the exact dates change each year due to the cycles of the moon. National Geographic has published an interesting article here that explains more about Ramadan, a period of piety and self-reflection

DO

Can you do an electric slide? A cupid shuffle? Or even a watermelon crawl? These are all line-dancing moves and Jenny McClendon wants to show you how to do them! Watch Jenny’s videos here.

FUN

Have you ever dreamed of being an Opera singer? Why not try Blob Opera! Google has created this fun website that allows you to control the performances of 4 blobs that each sing bass, tenor, mezzo-soprano and soprano. Try out the blob opera here.

Please get in touch through our email charitableimpact@stmonicatrust.org.uk and let us know how we are doing.

Don't forget that our online services of worship and contributions from the Pastoral Care Team can be found at https://vimeo.com/stmonicatrust.