Another busy month here: we joined with the Chapel to take part in
the world wide “Day of Prayer” on the 1st of March, produced this
year by the women of Palestine. It was a very moving service, quite
humbling to hear what…
Parish News Magazine
Dear Friends,
What a lovely warm welcome we have received from the people of Wick, and the folk in the other churches in Doynton, Dyrham, Pucklechurch and Abson (who have the most beautiful snowdrops) of which I will be Priest in Charge.
We’ve had people …
Christmas in our villages was possibly the best I have seen over the years I have been in this area: not only were all the services very well attended but many other events took place around the village; carols and an overall feeling that joy was being shared. Watching children cook (ok, burn) marshmallows over a fire in winter is
always something that warms my heart…
Life, it would seem, has settled down after covid and the lockdowns. Which now begin to seem such a long way in history, though the arguments continue. Wars abound and almost everyone is forced into taking sides in every argument on the
planet.
The story of Christmas is that this is not the way it was intended to be. Peace and goodwill are what the season calls for as we recite the story of nativity. Leading up through Advent to the babe in the manger…
The unexpected, unfamiliar sound of a
landline telephone ringing insistently
through my house produced genuine fear
and anxiety in my three-year-old
granddaughter. No doubt it was also my
reaction, leaping up with urgency to try to
get to the phone before it woke her little brother from his nap – too
late! I can still see the anguish on her face – it took several minutes
to calm her down and comfort her. And there was no actual
danger……
One of the abiding memories I have of my mother was that she was
incredibly timid. She was scared of everything! She didn’t like going
places on her own – indeed, she didn’t do it. On one occasion she wanted
to see a film showing at our local cinema, A Night to Remember. On this
occasion I was the chosen one. So, off I went to see this film with her. It
was released in 1958, when I was 9 years old. I didn’t know what it was
about before I went — afterwards I never forgot…..
With all the changeable weather and scary news stories going on, I
decided to look back at a previous newsletter. Autumn 2020 when all
was so much more frightening. Covid had closed the church and we
were going into “lockdown”.
I am sure that, back then we would have been just a little scared (if we
were honest) and unsure….
On April 15th, fighting broke out in Sudan between two generals, one army and the other the leader of the RSF. Just two men fighting for power and control….
Well, it’s all about the Coronation, isn’t it? A once-in-a-lifetime event. Regardless of our personal feelings
about the institution of monarchy, it is worth commemorating. There will be a church service to celebrate it on Sunday 7th May, at which we will be joined by our friends from the Chapel. Do consider….
For as long as humans have been able to communicate, we have
told ourselves stories in an attempt to explain the mysteries of life,
the suffering that is an unavoidable part of it, and the certainty of
its end. These stories help us to remember; they teach us and guide
our behaviour. And there are ….
