Thoughts from The Vicarage with F2, Embroidery and Lent
Greetings! Please find attached Pews News for the coming week. And what a joy it is to see the snowdrops emerging! The F2 children came down to church today and loved making each delicate flower ring like a bell! Such a joy to then welcome them into church .. and a huge thank you to the F2 Team from table & chair setting up to refreshments to walkers and teachers!!!
Check out the display at the back of church – probably going up Saturday proclaiming that Jesus is the light of the world!!
Bishop Olivia has announced yesterday that she is retiring from the end of September. Do see the Diocesan website for more details and information- and do please pray for her and for Keith as they move into a new stage of life together.
Looking ahead;
- February 11th 6pm Taizé Benefice Service St James.
- February 14th 7.30pm Ash Wednesday with ashing St Michael & All Angels.
- February 15th 1pm Memorial service for Andrew Jones ‘Scobie’ RIP.
- March 29th Faure Requiem St Michael’s & All Angels.
- August 17–25 trip to Taizé in France this summer led by Bishop Olivia (financial help available).
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 (anglican.org)
I wonder if anyone has started to think about what you will do to keep Lent well this time round. Myself and Christine will be hosting Lenten discussion groups based upon the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book for 2024 – Tarry Awhile (£9.99) with smaller (£2.50) daily reflection booklets for those who prefer that style.
If you’d like a £2.50 booklet I have them in stock at the Vicarage – simply ask and I will reserve one. If you’d like to buy the book – please do so independently. The book has six chapter-headings matching the booklet themes. Further information is here with an introductory video to get you thinking Tarry Awhile – The Big Church Read.
If you’d prefer to reflect in a different way Bishop Stephen’s Come and See journey for 2024 kicks off on Ash Wednesday, 14 February. It’s a warm, open invitation to anybody and everybody to explore what faith has to offer. There’s still time to join up and spread the word! Postcards in church. Wondering whether it’s for you? Find out more.
Anyone amongst us who enjoys embroidering or would like to give it a try in a series of four linked embroidery retreats taking place at Christ Church, Oxford in February and March? There are four fabulous speakers guiding the retreat including Peter Moger the Sub Dean of Christ Church. This sounds an amazing opportunity – there is a leaflet in each church if you’d like to find out more or email sally.welch@chch.ox.ac.uk who will be happy to help.
Thank you to those who’ve been in touch about taking up new things or letting go! It gives me great joy to hear people speak of how God is at work in their lives and a desire to support our Valley churches – I’m truly thankful! It’s not too late to look around and think about what you want to do and how to rebalance things. In particular, if there is anything you have sometimes thought you would like to get involved with do speak to Julie to find out more revjulie.mintern@lambournvalley.org text or phone 07749 844 600.
And finally,
God, give me grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
God bless
Julie