Thoughts from The Vicarage with Music Festival, watercolour and gifts.
Greetings as we look ahead to the weekend which sees Harvest Festival in All Saints East Garston at 4pm. All welcome to this traditional family service of praise and thanksgiving. Come Ye Thankful People Come – all are welcome and, if you are able please bring along a non perishable gift for the foodbank. Please let me know if your child would like to take part – either quietly or take on a reading part. The more the merrier!
Thank you to everyone who dressed or who are going to dress our churches for the Harvest Season – I know that your skills are all very much appreciated and add to our worship.
St Michael’s in Lambourn will be hosting A WATERCOLUR PAINTING COURSE run by our friend Margaret Tweeddale. It will run for 6 weeks, on a Monday afternoon, 2-5pm, starting on Monday 30 September. Each week she will demonstrate a different technique or aspect of watercolour painting, in a hopefully relaxed and happy atmosphere, ie all levels are welcome. Bring your own watercolour paper, paints, brushes and refreshments. There will be no charge. Please phone: 0795 1440 617 to book a place, as space is limited.
Thank you to all the Valley Ride & Striders – I am sure that they will be seeing you to gather the sponsorship you kindly offered.
St Michael’s Gift Day is coming up on Saturday, September 28th. Please find attached a letter from St Michael’s Treasurer, Ian Courtney.
The day will end with a fabulous Festival of Music – from Puccini to Postman Pat and opera to organ, there’s something for everyone at this family-friendly concert 6pm – we’ll see you there! Please share the attached poster!
The St Michael’s Benefice Patronal service is at 10.30 the following day, September 29th followed by refreshments.
I wonder … have you ever thought you would like to take part in any of the services? At the lay leadership gathering yesterday evening we all agreed that it would be good to have different voices leading our prayers of intercession. Please pray about this and if you’re feeling you’d like to do so please let me know!
Upcoming dates:
- Sunday 22nd September 4pm – Harvest Festival All Saints
- Saturday 28th 9-11am – St Michael’s Gift Day with refreshments in church
- Saturday 28th 6pm – Music Festival in St Michael’s
- Sunday 29th September 10.30 – St Michael & All Angels Patronal Festival
- Monday September 30th 2-5pm – Watercolour course in St Michael’s Lambourn
- Sunday 13th October 4pm – Harvest Festival St James
- Sunday 3rd November 10.30 – All Saints Patronal Festival with the Sub Dean of Christchurch, the Revd Canon Peter Moger preaching.
Finally, we love to be hospitable, reflecting the scandalous inclusivity of Christ. Please let me know if you would like to join me in offering refreshments on Gift Day September 28th at St Michael’s.
And very finally, a prayer for our time:
God of mercy and compassion, of grace and reconciliation,
pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East:
Jews, Muslims and Christians, Palestinians and Israelis.
Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust,
despair to hope,
oppression to freedom,
occupation to liberation,
that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces,
and peace and justice could be experienced by all.
God bless,
Julie