Dear Friends,
As summer unfolds around us, I enjoy the change of rhythm in village life. Gardens bloom with colour, the washing flaps on the line, there are children enjoying themselves outside, and neighbours pause a little longer for conversation in the sunshine.
Whether we are enjoying long evenings, tending our gardens, walking familiar paths, or gathering with family and friends, we can find signs of God’s grace woven through ordinary days.
Our churches continue to offer a warm welcome to everyone over the summer months – whether you come every week, visit occasionally, or are simply curious to step through the door. Church life, much like village life, is built on kindness, friendship, and supporting one another through every season.
I love that summer affords us plenty of opportunities to share companionship with our neighbours and those who may feel lonely. There are all sorts of things happening in our Benefice over the next few months that you can invite someone along to – in Stanton Harcourt there will be Festival Week – with Hymns and Pimms, open gardens, classic car show, scarecrow making as well as the Flower Festival; there is also the Beer Festival on the 25th July. These alone will be able to welcome tens if not hundreds of people over the course of the events. Other villages will have markets and plenty of other social events.
Have a think as to who you could invite along to something this summer. Who could you make feel welcome?
I look forward to seeing many of you at various events and activities, and of course at church over the summer.
With every blessing,
Revd Jo