Thoughts from The Vicarage with Pentecost, Baptism and Counting
Greetings on this beautiful summer’s morning!
Please find attached Pews News as we approach Pentecost, Whit Sunday. We will be celebrating in All Saints and in St Michael’s with the baptism of Freya as we welcome her into the church.
On Sunday we will hear the extraordinary story told in the Book of Acts about the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the early church. The disciples were gathered, and with Peter’s encouragement they voted in Mathias, to take the place of Judas Iscariot as one of the apostles. Then they settle down to wait in Jerusalem, as they’ve been told to, for something to happen – what Jesus had called the baptism of the Holy Spirit – but they have no idea what to expect. And suddenly, one day, with a mighty sound of wind and tongues of flame, the Holy Spirit comes upon them. Extraordinary power surrounds them and inhabits them, and they speak in many known languages. Peter prophesies. The Church is born and on a scale of 1 – totally dramatic, off the scale.
Coming up very soon is Churches Count on Nature week 3rd – 11th June. Make this the week to explore the churchyard nearest you!
Come along to St Michael & All Angels’ churchyard on Saturday 3rd June 10 – 12.30. Everyone is invited to help us count what is living in the churchyard. Join us at any time, no booking required. Please bring your own pens, pencils (and clipboards if you have them). Recording sheets and wildlife guides will be provided.
You are also welcome to visit during the week to enjoy the peace and quiet of this green space and to do some counting if you wish. Guides to flowers, birds, trees, butterflies, lichens, will be in church for you to see, and recording sheets available. Children should be accompanied by adults to ensure their safety.
I’d love to find out if any of our yards have evidence of hedgehog activity – basically by looking for their poo . . . Our regular visitors are back in the Vicarage Garden – wonderful and especially exciting for younger members of the family!
Speaking of family, we are welcoming a flying visit from Australian son and daughter in law who have flown over to go to a dear friend’s wedding! I’ve changed my rest day this week. I am available on Friday and with my family later today and tomorrow.
Writing on this beautiful Summer’s morning, about to walk to church for Morning Prayer I am reminded of the gift of life and this Morning Poem of Mary Oliver came to mind.
However your heart is beating, whatever you are feeling, whatever joy you are experiencing, whatever burden you may be carrying …
Every morning
the world
is created.
Under the orange
sticks of the sun
the heaped
ashes of the night
turn into leaves again
and fasten themselves to the high branches—
and the ponds appear
like black cloth
on which are painted islands
of summer lilies.
If it is your nature
to be happy
you will swim away along the soft trails
for hours, your imagination
alighting everywhere.
And if your spirit
carries within it
the thorn
that is heavier than lead—
if it’s all you can do
to keep on trudging—
there is still
somewhere deep within you
a beast shouting that the earth
is exactly what it wanted—
each pond with its blazing lilies
is a prayer heard and answered
lavishly,
every morning,
whether or not
you have ever dared to be happy,
whether or not
you have ever dared to pray.
God bless
Julie