As summer slowly gives way to autumn, we begin to notice the familiar
signs of the changing season. The mornings become cooler, the
evenings draw in, the fields and hedgerows take on their autumn
colours, and we give thanks for the harvest gathered in – especially
mindful that it has been a very hard year for farmers.
Autumn is a beautiful reminder that life is made up of different
seasons, each with its own character, blessings and opportunities. If,
like me, you share the Christian faith, you can be encouraged that,
whatever season we find ourselves in, God is with us and His
faithfulness never changes.
As we look towards the months ahead, we hope that our four churches
will continue to be places where people can find welcome, friendship,
prayer and a sense of belonging. Whether you are a regular
churchgoer, someone who comes occasionally, or perhaps have not
been to church for some time, you are very warmly invited to join us.
There will be a variety of services, special occasions and events taking
place across our four parishes during the autumn and winter. We
encourage you to have a look and see what is happening in your own
village and in the neighbouring churches. Some services will be our
regular pattern of worship, while others will offer opportunities to
celebrate, remember, give thanks and simply come together as a
community.
Please do join us whenever you can. You may find a particular service
or event that speaks to you, or perhaps discover an opportunity to
meet people you haven’t seen for a while. We would love to see
familiar faces, but equally we are always delighted to welcome those
who are new.
Autumn can also be a time when we become more aware of those
around us who may be lonely or finding life difficult. Perhaps we can all
take a little time to look out for a neighbour, share a cup of tea, offer a
helping hand or simply have a conversation. Small acts of kindness can
make a very real difference.
As we enter this new season together, let us give thanks for the beauty
of our villages, for the harvest and for the many people who make our
communities special. Above all, may we remember God’s presence
with us in every season of life.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under
heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
With every blessing and hope to see you soon.
Revd Jo ]]>
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
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As I write this we are in the middle of a long spell of
unseasonably warm weather. I have lost count of the amount
of washing loads I have achieved in the last two weeks!
Children and school staff are on their Easter break, and we are
about to head into Holy Week; Matthew and I are ramping up
the wedding preparations and it is a busy season all round. For
this article I need to put my head in a different space, to lay
aside thoughts of Maundy Thursday service, an hour at the
cross on Good Friday, celebrations on Easter Sunday and of
course all things wedding. This is quite usual for a priest. For a
day can have many seasons within it -whether that be spent in
joy with someone in the morning as they celebrate a new birth
into their family, and in the afternoon handing over tissues to
someone who is lost in the midst of grief at the death of their
loved one. One has to be adept at adapting! So now I have the
small luxury of gazing out of the window, looking forward to
summer, and to wonder what I hope for.
One of my hopes is that as the days grow longer and the sun
shines a little brighter, we’re reminded of the beauty and
simplicity of God’s creation. I hope that the summer will be a
time of growth, rest, and renewal—not just for nature, but for
our souls and bodies too.
Whether you’ll be tending a garden, taking a walk in a park,
going on holiday, sitting in your usual chair with a good book,
or gathering with family and friends – these warmer months
invite us to slow down and savour life’s simple blessings. I hope
that it will be a season of connection—hopefully spending
more time with friends, family and loved ones, perhaps
enjoying a barbecue, a weekend away, or just simply sitting out
in the garden together.
I also hope that we will be able to take time to reflect on the
many ways God is present in the everyday moments: as the
steaming water soaks into the teabag, in the birdsong at dawn,
in the laughter of children as we hear them on their bikes or
playing football, the vibrant colours of a sunset, the joy of
shared meals, and the peace that comes from a quiet morning
with a cup of coffee and a prayer. The extraordinary can be
found in the ordinary. It’s right there with us.
As Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “To everything there is a
season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.”
I hope that this summer season is one of warmth, joy, and
spiritual refreshment and of finding the extraordinary in the
ordinary.
With every blessing,
Jo ]]>
This year, before we dive into ticking a box which we’ve always ticked, let’s think about the teaching of Jesus – the importance of honesty and kindness.
Jesus values honesty and integrity. He teaches us to be people of our word, who will do what we say, and be truthful when we make mistakes. As we vote, we do so looking for leaders of honesty and truthfulness – and yes I hear you at the back – how can we trust any politician? We look for those who look out for others; those who will not forget the poor, or those in need.
Let’s think about what Jesus said about kindness in Matthew 25:
Then they will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’And he will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.’
Jesus’ heart here is clear for the loneliest and least. There is a real sense that the way we welcome the stranger instead of casting away, the way we treat the hungry rather than point the finger, and serve the poor rather than ignore them, shows the depth of our worship to Jesus. Even if we don’t have a Christian faith, at the very least you could call the above common decency or compassion.
So this election season, we pray for those who will lead our country – we pray for them to have depth of honesty, compassion and kindness. And we acknowledge that, wherever we place our cross on the 4th July – there is one cross which is eternal. One cross which doesn’t change every few years. One cross that has nothing to do with our preference and is all about Jesus – the God of kindness and compassion.
Jo Hurst
]]>Pilate’s aims in governing his province are not so different from the aims of our governments today – to keep the peace, administer justice, advance prosperity and ensure that enough tax is paid to keep the whole show on the road. In the Book of Common Prayer the prayer for the Church Militant (i.e. campaigning – very appropriate ) asks us to pray that under the King … we may be godly and quietly governed. And grant that … all that are put in authority under him may rightly and duly administer justice to the punishment of wickedness and vice and the maintenance of Thy true religion and virtue.” Those of us who lead the intercessions are given guidance that we should continue to include prayers for those who govern us, recognising that discharging our duties as good citizens is part of our duty as Christians.
As you read this you will be about to fish out your polling card and voter ID and head for your nearest polling station. Over the last six weeks we have been inundated with information and analysis, not necessarily very enlightening. Since all the main parties claim to put a high value on peace, law and order, security and social justice it is far from clear where our duty as Christians lies and our religious leaders are understandably reticent in telling us how we should vote. Maybe a little more input from them to the public debates in the run up to the election might help us to clarify our thoughts about who we should choose to represent us.
Gill Salway
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