Thoughts from The Vicarage with a link, waiting & a poem
Greetings to you this dark and chilly afternoon!
Despite the freezing conditions we warmly welcomed Bishop Olivia to the Lambourn Valley yesterday. We celebrated the Baptism of Anne and the confirmation of 14 souls in a truly uplifting and joyful service. At the heart of the service were the words from Isaiah to each candidate ‘God has called you by name and made you his own’ followed by the profound moment as the Bishop laid her hand upon each head, invoked the Holy Spirit in confirmation as each received the seal of the Spirit. Here is a link to some photos of the event: https://photos.app.goo.gl/4twcnxtWNhfvKmEB9 thanks to Mr Vicarage.
I am immensely proud of the group who all came together for preparation – their ease of being with one another, the rapport between the older and the younger, the diversity of the group, the questions and their deep thinking – all aspects which have made preparation such a pleasure and privilege.
The season of Advent begins this Sunday and marks the beginning of the Church’s year. Advent is a time of waiting in expectation for the Christ child to be born amongst us, as one of us. The Advent wreath with it’s four candles will stand proud in each church marking the Sundays before Christmas. Other features of Advent are a bit like Lent – the Gloria is omitted, particular hymns are sung and the colour of the church vestments is purple – all of which are done to help us mark this season of the Church’s year.
Here are December dates for you to note – alternatively if you would like an all singing all dancing poster for your fridge (!) please download and print the attachment.
3rd 4pm Christingle St James
10th 6pm Traditional service of Nine lessons and Carols All Saints
11th 10.00 Lambourn Lambs Christmas Party St Michael & All Angels
11th 1.30 Lambourn CE Primary school Christmas service St Michael & All Angels
13th 6.30 Carol singing from the Vicarage, children & families welcome. Refreshments back at Vicarage
14th Carol Singing Eastbury
17th 6pm Traditional service of Nine lessons and carols St Michael & All Angels
19th 6.30 Carol singing from the Vicarage, children & families welcome. Refreshments back at Vicarage
20th 10.30 Dementia Café Memorial Hall Lambourn
21st 3pm Dress up Nativity St Michael & All Angels
21st 6.30pm Jingle & Mingle in aid of the Air Ambulance & St Michael’s – St Michael & All Angels
24th 4pm Crib service St James
24th 4pm Christingle St Michael & All Angels
24th 11pm Midnight Mass St Michael & All Angels
25th 9am Christmas Day communion All Saints
25th 10.30 am Christmas Day communion St James
25th 10.30 am Christmas Day communion St Michael & All Angels
And finally, on the theme of waiting and to keep us grounded in that for which we are truly waiting a poem by UA Fanthorpe
BC:AD
This was the moment when Before
Turned into After, and the future’s
Uninvented timekeepers presented arms.
This was the moment when nothing
Happened. Only dull peace
Sprawled boringly over the earth.
This was the moment when even energetic Romans
Could find nothing better to do
Than counting heads in remote provinces.
And this was the moment
When a few farm workers and three
Members of an obscure Persian sect
Walked haphazard by starlight straight
Into the kingdom of heaven.
God bless, keep, and inspire you this Advent
Julie