Thoughts from The Vicarage with Craft creation, VJ day and a request
Greetings on this beautiful sunny morning, please find attached Pews News containing all you need for the coming week, service times, readings, Collects and prayer requests. Future dates are at the end of this email, please make a note of them.
Marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day
2025 marks 80 years since that momentous day. In a world where conflict and division still cause deep suffering, this anniversary invites churches and communities to pray, remember, and seek peace. As ever, our churches will be open. Why not call in to give thanks for the peace gained at such cost and, of course, to pray for peace in our fractured world. Take a moment to remember and honour the millions who served, sacrificed and suffered in the Second World War, whose lives were forever changed.
Looking ahead towards September as it’s only just round the corner …
Creationtide
This year the Lambourn Valley Benefice will be observing the season of Creationtide. It begins on 1st September ending 5th October when we will be honouring St. Francis of Assisi. This liturgical season offers our churches a time within the church year to intentionally respond in worship to the need to care for creation – a creation breathed into being by the pneuma – the Holy Spirit of God. We are but stewards of God’s creation and this season will be dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of Life.
All are welcome at St Michael and All Angels
St Michael and All Angels will host a Harvest Bring and Share supper on Sunday September 14th at 7pm. Simply bring yourselves, your own cutlery and a glass to celebrate the season of Creationtide. In addition to good company and good food there will be a showing of Oceans the David Attenborough film. David opens this inspiring film saying ‘after living for nearly 100 years on this planet I now understand the most important place on earth is not on land but the sea …. only now are we understanding what it means for the future of our world … the ocean is our planet’s life support system … put simply we’ve been given a life line … if we save the sea we save our world’. Please share widely!
Oceans craft for creation
A morning of craft activities for the young and the young at heart. September 27th 9.00 – 12.00 with crafty fun, refreshments and creation! All welcome – save the date! We’re thinking out the box … all ideas and thoughts welcome to Donni or myself….
Lorraine Lashly
You may know Lorraine Lashly who is in our Pews News prayers along with her family. She has been in ICU for over a week. She has husband Mark and four daughters, one of whom asked me to ask you ‘please pray for my Mum’. If you are so minded please do pray. There will be a Fund Raiser Quiz night organized by Lorraine’s good friend Leah, Friday at The Walwyn Hall at 7.30. It will be a really fun family evening with a raffle – prizes welcome! If you would like to contribute but can’t come along, please do let me know and I will pass on the GoFund Me link.
A prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Amen.
With every blessing for August as Thoughts from The Vicarage take a rest.
Julie
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice
Dates for your diary
- August 8th Wedding of Hope and Tom 3.30 St James
- August 9th Wedding of Rebecca & Karl – 12.30 St Michael’s & All Angels
- September 5th Baptism of Bear Mackay-Lewis – 4pm St James
- September 7th First Sunday of Creationtide
- September 7th Baptism of Ivy Comyn – All Saints
- September 13th Gift Day – St James and Ride + Stride
- September 14th Harvest Festival Sung Eucharist – 10.30 St Michel’s & All Angels
- September 14th Baptism of Billie Rose Smyly – 12.30 All Saints
- September 14th Harvest Bring & Share Supper – 7pm St Michael’s & All Angels
- September 21st Harvest Festival – 4pm All Saints
- September 27th 9.00 – 12.00 – Oceans craft for creation St Michael’s
- 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