Thoughts from The Vicarage with Bells, The Congo & Cool
Greetings on another blisteringly hot Friday morning!
It might be helpful to know that our beautiful Valley churches are each delightfully cool if you need a break either in the village or as a place to have your lunch or break in the cool!
Another great event to which all are welcome this weekend is the Open Tower event in St Michael’s Lambourn. It is tomorrow Sunday afternoon 2.30-4.30pm. Poster attached!
If you have ever fancied having a go at ringing one of the bells do come along and have a go! We’d love to welcome any prospective new bell ringers.
There will be refreshments and information at ground level (!)and the Hand Bell group will be with us to play and share what they do! Children from the age of 8 are welcomed up the tower but must be accompanied by an adult. I look forward to seeing you !
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of meeting Bishop Achille and his wife Revd Gertrude for whom this heat was the norm in his Diocese of Kinshasa in the Congo. Following the Lambeth Conference he was welcomed by Bishop Olivia to the Diocese of Oxford. Having attended a morning service of Holy Communion at St Mary’s Convent in Wantage he and his wife then attended a tea party along with Mother’s Union representatives.
Bishop Achille asked for our prayers and as you will see on the attached Pews News they are listed. I don’t know about you but it tends to be a more meaningful prayer if I’ve met or heard at first hand about a situation so please bear with me as I share a little of what he and his wife, who has sole responsibility for the Mothers’ Union in Kinshasa, said. I have also attached a delightful photo of them both with some of the sisters at the convent!
Bishop Achille spoke movingly of the joys and challenges of his ministry. With a population of 108 million the Congo is the most populous Francophone country in the world so it was a good opportunity to practice our French!
We learnt how the lack of formal economic opportunities, combined with the legacy of entrenched political conflicts and instability, as well as high rates of malnutrition, illness, and poor education, make the Congo one of the hardest places on earth to raise a family. He also commented how wonderful it was to see so many more elderly people!
Nearer home
The famous St Michael’s cream teas are back this year in the cool church on Bank Holiday Monday August 29th from 3 – 5pm. In order to make this event as wonderful as usual we are needing volunteers to bake scones and cakes please. We will also be welcoming volunteers to help at this popular event on the day. If you are able to bake or offer a hand please contact either Sandra or Brian 01488 72587 or Amanda 01488 670083
Services this week are on the attached Pews News and it would be lovely to welcome you onto the cool either at All Saints or St Michael & All Angels on Sunday morning.
Every blessing for the coming week
Julie
PS Hedgehog and vicarage garden news will return next Friday!
Revd Julie Mintern