Thoughts from The Vicarage with Remembrance, Confirmation Advent and a Photo!
Greetings as we look ahead to a weekend of Remembrance!
Please find attached Pews News for this coming week which includes service times and venues for this most special weekend.
The names remembered on All Souls’ Day will remain on the high altar at St Michael & All Angels through to Advent Sunday. You are welcome to come in and see them, pray, or simply add another name.
Looking 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 delicious refreshments will be available in church. This is instead of going up to the Legion which, as you will know, is now closed.
The Act of Remembrance in East Garston is on Saturday November 11th at 10.45 by the War Memorial with a communion service in All Saints church on Sunday November 12th at 9.00 when the names of those who gave their lives will be read. Eastbury’s act of Remembrance will be at the War Memorial in front of the church at 10.45 on Sunday November 12th.
Please pray for all those who are preparing for confirmation – their names are on the attached Pews News. Bishop Olivia is leading the service on Wednesday November 29th at 6.30pm in St Michael & All Angels Lambourn. All, and I mean all are welcome to what promises to be a very special occasion. We have 14 people, of younger and of more mature years, who will be confirming their baptism vows. This very special occasion will be followed by refreshments, photos and a chance to meet Bishop Olivia over a glass of wine or a soft drink and nibbles!
Our get togethers at the Vicarage in preparation for their big day have been brilliant – I hope that everyone has enjoyed our time together as much as I have. Our next gathering is this Sunday 4pm @The Vicarage with the usual refreshments! After that we have Tuesdays 14th & 21st. The very important rehearsal will be on Wednesday 28th in St Michael’s at 7.30 pm with the confirmation service on WEDNESDAY 29th at 6.30.
The season of Advent is hot on the heels of the confirmation service with the chance to join in Advent groups which begin on November 27th 2pm at Christine’s home and take place on December 5th, 12th and 19th. This year there will be a video as well as a small booklet – both of which will form the basis for time to chat and mull over the content. There are four reflections on the theme of the God who welcomes everyone.
I had the privilege of taking part in the Remembrance service at RAF Welford this morning outside in the gorgeous Autumnal sunshine. (The photo on Pews News was taken there this week. The prayers were shared with the American Chaplain (photo attached) and felt especially poignant this year.
All the more so as over refreshments I sat with a group of eight members of 101 Squadron who shared some of the work they have been doing over the last year. These young men and women struck me as truly inspirational and quietly humble; some had witnessed Kabul, some returning Ukrainians to war zones following training in this country and some making sorties to Estonia – just to mention a few of examples.
As I was fascinated by their experience so were they likewise of my memories of my parents’ experience in time of war. It was a very special half hour or so culminating in a short prayer and blessing for them. In their honour I have added their squadron to the prayer list as a personal request along with the Welford Base itself.
And finally the collect for Remembrance Sunday:
God, our refuge and strength,
bring near the day when wars shall cease
and poverty and pain shall end,
that earth may know the peace of heaven
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God bless, keep, and strengthen you, in this month of remembering and always,
Julie