Thoughts from The Vicarage with Harvest Supper, Oceans and Pews News
Greetings on this blessed day! A prayer to which I often refer invites us to be thankful for the gift of life itself:
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen
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.
Creationtide ‘To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’ is the Anglican Communion’s Fifth Mark of Mission.
This year the Lambourn Valley Benefice is observing the season of Creationtide. It began last Sunday & ends 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 as St Michael & All Angels 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 of the box … all ideas and thoughts welcome to Donni or myself …
Eastbury Scramblers “Ride + Stride” sponsored cycle signing in at churches along the Lambourn Valley on Saturday 13th September coincides with St. James’ annual “Gift Day”, Produce Stall and Coffee Pot in church 09.00 till 13.00 hrs, raising funds for St. James’ latest maintenance project. Half of what is raised in sponsorship on this link will go to St. James’ and half to Berkshire Historic Churches Trust https://www.justgiving.com/page/deborah-phillips-3?newPage=true and if you’d like to sponsor anyone else from our churches please do so! I know that Stephen Holmes & family will also be Striding on Saturday!
Enjoy organ music, fancy a trip out to Newbury? Do go along tomorrow Thursday 11th September when 1 pm Stephen our organist is giving the lunchtime organ recital in St Nicolas Newbury. Admission is free, there is a retiring collection.
A Creationtide prayer Creator God, you made the goodness of the land, the riches of the sea and the rhythm of the seasons; as we thank you for your gracious providing may we cherish and respect this planet and its peoples, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
With every blessing
Julie
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice
Dates for your diary
- September 11th 1pm – Stephen Holmes’ lunchtime organ recital St Nicolas Newbury
- 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 Michael’s
- October 5th – Feast Day of St Francis
- October 12th – Harvest Festival 4pm St James
- November 1st – All Souls service St Michael & All Angels
- November 2nd – All Saints Patronal Festival
- November 9th – Remembrance Sunday
- November 16th – Safeguarding Sunday