Thoughts from The Vicarage with All Souls Day and Remembering
Greetings as the bells of a visiting team of ringers ring out across Lambourn on this wet and windy day! Please find attached Pews News for this coming week.
Today is All Souls’ Day when we remember those we love who have died, those who were close to us who we continue to miss and grieve for. The Valley All Souls’ service is at 3pm on Saturday November 4th at St Michael’s Church Lambourn. All are welcome to this quiet short service with a couple of gentle hymns when we remember our own dead, those who shaped us and loved us, those who we belong to and who belonged to us, the people we miss day by day and week by week however long ago they died. Loving does not stop with death- neither does it become less profound or less powerful. Christians believe that God is equally the God of the living and of the departed. We are all held in His love and united in his light.
The service will be followed by light refreshments and an opportunity to chat.
If you would like the name of your loved ones read out loud at the service please add their name(s) on the sheet on the table just inside church. Or, if it is easier, simply text or email me the names you wish to be remembered. Should you be unable to come, please rest assured that your loved one’s name will be read aloud, honoured, and remembered.
Looking further ahead The Act of Remembrance in Lambourn will take place on Sunday November 12th at 10.45 at the War Memorial followed by a short service in St Michael’s after which refreshments will be available in church. This is instead of going up to the Legion which, as you will know, is now closed.
The Remembrance service in East Garston is on Saturday November 11th at 10.45 by the War Memorial and also in All Saints church on Sunday November 12th at 9.00 when the names of those who gave their lives will be read. St James Eastbury’s act of Remembrance will be at the War Memorial in front of the church at 10.45 on Saturday November 11th.
Bishop Olivia is leading a service of confirmation on Wednesday November 28th at 6.30pm in St Michael & All Angels Lambourn. Please do put this date in your diary, come along and support all those being confirmed. All, and I mean all are welcome to what promises to be a very special occasion.
Please pray for all those who are preparing for confirmation – their names are on the attached Pews News. Confirmation is when a person confirms the promises made when they were baptised, committing to a life of following Jesus. Find out more at https://churchofengland.org/life-events/confirmations/confirmation-faqs#na
Please hold Christine in prayer today as she travels to Wales to conduct the funeral of her sister Audrey tomorrow.
Very finally, a prayer …
In a world of hatreds, Lord, teach us to love;
in a world of discord, teach us to seek harmony;
in a world of division, teach us to seek relationship;
in a world of dispute, teach us to seek resolution;
in a world of wars, teach us to make peace.
Teach us your way. Amen.
God bless, keep, and strengthen you, in this month of remembering and always,
Julie