Thoughts from The Vicarage with Pews News, Lilly of the Valley & Bank Holiday!
Greetings and a bunch of aromatic muguet or Lilly of the valley to each one of you to welcome the month of maying! Thank you to the thoughtful one who popped a bunch of fresh, fragrant Lilly of the valley into the Vicarage earlier.
Please find attached Pews News for services, prayer requests and other events. A rather quiet week as both Mr Vicarage and myself have been out of action due to the resurgence of covid. Do take care dear friends as a number of people are telling us along with professionals that it’s out and about again. The good news is that we’re on the mend and thank you to all who have offered help this last week!
The Church is still in the Easter season between the Resurrection, Ascension and Pentecost. The readings of these weeks tell the story of the early church and what the disciples were getting up to. This week we hear of the how we are invited to love one another as God first loved us, so that we might be free to lay down our lives for others — even when we do not want to, and especially when the world thinks us mad for doing so.
Sadly we weren’t able to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the ordination of women celebrations at Christchurch Cathedral on Sunday which was a disappointment. Glad to say it was a wonderful occasion and such a joy to hear that a number from the Valley were able to go along! Our very own Venerable Christine Allsopp preached an excellent sermon.
To watch the sermon and service https://tinyurl.com/6s69ufys and photos and commentary here https://tinyurl.com/5byysm2x
As it is Bank Holiday there will be no Lambourn Lambs nor coffee and chat on Monday. Choir at 4pm will be on Tuesday in St Michael’s and Living Well in The End Times will be on Wednesday as we welcome our friendly local (Hungerford) lawyer. Do come along with any questions – no query too small and of course there will be time for a chat afterwards. We have already been asked if we could repeat these gatherings so please let me know if you are interested.
The next Lambourn Wellbeing Walk will be May 12th – meet at St Michael’s church 11.30 and do see the attached photo of us all gathering for a warm drink and refreshments following our last really successful walk.
St James APCM took on Monday 29th At the meeting I am pleased to announce that Paul Reynolds was appointed Churchwarden. Congratulations and thank you for taking on this leadership role!
- All Saints APCM is on May 21st at 7pm.
- St Michael & All Angels APCM is on May 19th at 12.15.
- If you are interested in becoming a PCC member or a churchwarden please speak to either myself, Christine or one of the PCC secretaries, to Katie or Lise, as soon as possible and complete a nomination form. Please consider whether you are called to stand, and also pray for the life and work of the PCCs of each church, their effectiveness, commitment and openness to the guidance of God.
Finally a prayer from my friend Bill:
Saturate our lives, Lord, with your healing presence;
pour your love into us to transform those things
which constrain our living the life you intend for us
and which have us in their grip; free us from all that seeks
division and conflict, and bring us your peace. Amen
God bless
Julie
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice