Thoughts from The Vicarage with St James, the Market Cross & Parliament
Greetings as school holidays begin! This Sunday sees the Patronal Festival of St James the Greater Eastbury at 10.30. St James was the master of faith in action, always preaching deeds not just words. “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only.” Let us pray to him for the grace and the strength to “be doers”!
James, often called ‘the Great’, was a Galilean fisherman who, with his brother John, was one of the first apostles called by Jesus to follow him. The two brothers were with Jesus at his Transfiguration and with him again in the garden of Gethsemane. James was put to death by the sword on the order of Herod Agrippa in 44 who hoped in vain that, by disposing of the Christian leaders, he could stem the flow of those hearing the good news and becoming followers in the Way.
As you may have heard elsewhere, conservation work to the Market Cross will be taking place between Tuesday 29th and Thursday 31st July. Further information on the works and some minimal parking restrictions available here https://lambourn-pc.gov.uk/protecting-history-lambourns-market-cross/
Aoife Allen of BBC sounds has been in touch as she is featuring the story of William Bush on their Secret Berkshire series. The series sits on BBC Sounds, and it shares lesser-known stories from Berkshire’s history. I wonder if you know it?
The story is that William Bush sailed across the tower of St Michael’s in Lambourn in 1607, before propelling the ship on wheels to Streatley and sailing along the Thames to London. It is a lovely story, and her team is audio recording it with local historian Piers Mucklejohn next Monday, July 28th. Read more about this in John Footman’s book ‘History of the Parish Church of St Michael & All Angels’ (1894). No expense spared; I’ve attached a line drawing of this great feat!
Finally, one of our readers has sent in this link to https://tinyurl.com/ynawtun7 a most well prepared Christian speech, full of integrity, honesty, and wisdom. Thank you Danny Kruger MP who calls for Christian Restoration in House of Commons. As our reader commented ‘Well worth 10 minutes of your valuable time’.
My prayer for this week is from the House of Commons. It seems especially apt at this time.
Lord, the God of righteousness and truth,
grant to our King and his government,
to Members of Parliament and all in positions of responsibility,
the guidance of your Spirit.
May they never lead the nation wrongly through love of power,
desire to please,
or unworthy ideals
but laying aside all private interests and prejudices
keep in mind their responsibility to seek to improve the condition of all mankind;
so may your kingdom come and your name be hallowed.
Amen
God bless
Julie
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice
Dates for your diary
- August 2nd – Wedding of Madeleine & William – 2pm St Michael’s
- August 8th – Wedding of Hope and Tom – 3.30 St James
- August 9th – Wedding of Rebecca & Karl – 12.30 St Michael’s
- September 5th – Baptism of Bear McCready – 4pm St James
- September 7th – First Sunday of Creationtide
- September 7th – Baptism of Ivy Comyn – 4pm All Saints
- September 14th – Harvest Festival Sung Eucharist – 10.30 St Michel’s
- September 14th – Baptism of Billie Rose Smyly – 12.30 All Saints
- September 14th – Harvest Bring & Share Supper – 7pm St Michel’s
- September 21st – Harvest Festival – 4pm All Saints
- September 28th – St Michael & all Angels – 10.30 Patronal Festival
- September 28th – Festal Choral Evensong – 6pm St Michel’s
- October 5th – Feast Day of St Francis
- October 12th – Harvest Festival – 4pm St James