Thoughts from The Vicarage with Candlemas, snowdrops and Taizé
Greetings as the bird song outside my study window brightens up a damp day! Please find attached Pews News for this Sunday which is the feast of Candlemas – it’s being kept a little earlier than usual as it has to be kept before February 2nd. And what a joy it is to see the snowdrops emerging!
It’s one of my favourite festivals and marks a time of change – the end of our celebration of Christmas, and the start of our preparation for Lent and Easter. It is the day when Simeon and Anna met Jesus in the Temple and rejoiced at the wonders God had done and continues to do. We look back and we look forwards, as the old Simeon and Anna drew on the riches of their ancient faith to look forward with Mary and Joseph to the future for their infant son, Jesus.
The Lambourn Valley Youth Choir last Tuesday revealed some great talent and we’re all looking forward to next Tuesday 4-5pm in church – all are welcome. And hopefully we will be singing Shine Jesus Shine this week at the 10.30 service in Lambourn with added voices!
There will be a Taizé Benefice Service at 6pm on February 11th as we prepare for Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14th with a service at 7.30pm in St Michael & All Angels. Do please start to think about what you will do to keep Lent well this time round. Start to plan now so you are ready to go when Lent comes. Please let me know any thoughts you may have about coming along to a Lent group.
Looking further ahead with a really exciting opportunity. There will be a trip to Taizé in France this summer led by Bishop Olivia in August – for those aged 16 to 30. Young adults from across the Diocese of Oxford will join thousands of others from around the world in community, worship and prayer from 17–25 August 2024. Taizé in France is an extraordinary place – quite different from anywhere else. It combines a religious monastery with the feel of a huge youth camp! Young adults from many different backgrounds and denominations travel to Taizé for a unique Christian experience of openness, solidarity and encounter. You’ll experience a wonderful sense of freedom, prayer and community. There’s nothing compulsory about Taizé, but it’s not a holiday resort! Please do be in touch with Bishop Olivia if you have any questions – you can email her at bishopreading@oxford.anglican.org or explore here … 2024 Pilgrimage to Taizé – Diocese of Oxford (https://anglican.org)
A reminder about donating to the foodbanks in the Valley – the Lambourn Junction, open to receive gifts 11am to 1pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday and the West Berks Foodbanks collection boxes in each church.
And finally, a prayer as we look ahead to Lent and Easter
We thank you God for this time of turning.
We pray that you will guide and lead us
as we turn away from Christmas celebrations,
from the coming of the one light,
from tree lights, starlight and candlelight.
As we journey towards the gathering storm,
towards the garden lantern light, the fire light,
and then no light at all
help us to hold on to the Christmas Christ Light
and to look and watch for the Resurrection Light to dawn. Amen
God bless
Julie
Revd Julie Mintern, Vicar, Lambourn Valley Benefice