Thoughts from The Vicarage with Father Willis, a disco and volunteers
Greetings on this brisk, sunny morning of Holy Cross Day when Christians around the world celebrate the cross of Christ.
This Sunday sees the blessing of bags in St James at the 9.30 service of Holy Communion and in St Michael’s at the 11.00 All Together Eucharist service. For those wishing to attend a quiet contemplative service there will be our usual monthly BCP Holy Communion in St Michael and All Angels at 8am.
The Patronal Festival of St Michael & All Angels is just over the horizon on October 1st with the Gift Day on Saturday September 30th when the churchwardens, along with me, will be at the Lych Gate from 9.00 all morning to receive your gifts. This year, our focus is on our organ, an early ‘Father Willis’ organ of national importance and one which takes pride of place within the Diocese of Oxford. The church wardens are seeking grants from specialist charities, but it would be wonderful if you were able to contribute to this historical instrument.
If you think about the weddings, the Christenings and dare I say, funerals you have attended over the years and the way in which the organ has added so much those occasions. It would be super if you were able to contribute what you are able so that you and those who will follow us will have the benefit of such a majestic instrument which is in need of repair and a serious clean. For more information, please see the attached letter.
Thank you to all those who rode and strode last Saturday to raise funds and visit churches – some wonderful achievements despite the scorching temperatures. And while on the volunteering theme thank you to Debbie in East Garston for organising an event in aid of Dreamflight which supports children and families of children with life limiting illnesses. The flier is attached giving all the details of a special fund raiser Over 40s disco on Saturday September 30th at The Queens Lodge in East Garston.
Volunteers please! The Lambourn Dementia Café and Thursday Lunch club are wondering if you would be interested in being a volunteer – if you would please let me know. We can have a chat and take it from there.
Dates for Your Diary
- Saturday Sept 30th am Gift Day St Michael & All Angels
- Sunday Oct 1st30 Patronal Festival service at St Michael & All Angels
- Sunday Oct 8th 4pm Harvest Festival St James
- Friday Oct 13th 7 pm Harvest Supper St James – tickets from Fiona Drake
- Sunday Oct15th 11am Harvest Festival and a bring and share lunch St Michael & All Angels
- Sunday 22nd October 12.00 Harvest Festival followed by lunch All Saints
- Friday 13th–15th October Valley Green weekend (info from Pat Glover or Penny Locke)
- Wednesday Nov 29th 6.30 pm Confirmation Service Bishop Olivia St Michael & All Angels
Finally, If you are reading this and thinking about either baptism or confirmation please do either email, phone or catch me for a conversation – no query ever too small! And very finally to explore more about Holy Cross Day you may like to look here:
God bless
Julie