Thoughts from The Vicarage with choir, Churchyards and General Election …
Greetings! Please find attached Pews News and The Pray Your Part Litany attached. We have three very different services this Sunday as we join together in worship – there is something for everyone so do come along – you’d be very welcome.
BCP is a quiet early morning contemplative service, the All Together service is one to which families and children are especially welcome, this week following up the theme of Count on Nature and then we have a Family Communion to which all are very welcome.
Count on Nature week is well under way and while the rain holds off do venture into the churchyards of the Valley and explore. On Saturday 15th St Michael’s and St James are hosting Count on Nature events with refreshments to which all are warmly (!) welcomed. Children are especially welcome at both churchyards – please bring an adult with you!
I’m really encouraged by our Youth choir held each week on Tuesday in St Michael’s. We have fun, sing, learn about reading music and always have a drink and Jammy Dodger break! The children have now named their choir – the Lambourn Valley Angels! T shirts and numerous other exciting things will be happening soon. Although we may need to practice a little more before we venture off to ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ our premiere will be an appearance at the flower show. Just ask me if you’d like to know more or simply come along and sing!
General Election resources – Diocese of Oxford (anglican.org) We are urged by our Diocesan Bishop to play our part in the General Election. We are urged to pray for the country and the candidates. None of this is meant to tell us who we should vote for, but the call is clearly to vote as a person of faith and to pray for the flourishing of the nation. One of the links in the page above takes you to a booklet which has 21 days of prayer from tomorrow the 14th of June, which we are invited to join in with. Please do use it. Thanks so much- do click on the page and see what resources and ideas are there, both for yourself and for those you live with and among. We will be using the Litany (attached to the email) each day at Morning Prayer and on Sundays. If you’d like a booklet simply email me as I have 8 remaining!
What’s a Litany? The use of litanies in the Church goes back to the fourth century in the Eastern Church. Shorter and longer litanies are one of the treasures of Anglican liturgical life. When we don’t understand quite how to pray, we lean back together into words which others have formed to give shape to our own intercessions. This litany for the General Election draws on some familiar petitions from Anglican litanies and coins some new petitions. Over 21 prayers the words will help us pray for every aspect of our national life and of this election: for the health service, schools, the environment, the armed forces, candidates, the economy, for housing and so on.
Many thanks to all those who supported the Valley events in all their various forms commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. And thank you to all those who contributed to them behind the scenes. Please do remember that all of the services and other events are truly open to all – without exception so do please encourage people to join in – whichever village you live in.
We will soon be saying farewell to Bruce and Eileen Laurie. Bruce has held the office of Churchwarden for about a quarter of a century and has been a great advocate for, and friend to all three valley churches. I am hoping that we will be able to present them with a gift to mark their time here. Amanda will be coming amongst the congregation on Sundays with a card to sign. Please share this with others so that all who wish may be included. If you wish to donate to such a gift please pass it to the Treasurer Ian Courtney, place it in an envelope and give it to myself or pay directly via direct debit with BL gift reference.
Account name: PCC Lambourn
Sort Code 60-11-28
Account number 79238394
Finally a date for your diary. September 14th will be a Parish away day with lunch at East Garston Village Hall when all three Parishes will be getting together as we look ahead.
And very finally, a prayer:
Guide the leaders of the nations that they may work for the common good, and strengthen our hearts with a vision of your Kingdom. Amen
God bless, Julie