Thoughts from The Vicarage
Greetings and thank you to all those who contributed to a joyful weekend of Patronal Festival celebrations at St Michael & All Angels! This week sees the season of Creation draw to a close with a celebration of St Francis – do join us if you are able – all are truly welcome either in St James or St Michael & All Angels. This Sunday is also Homeless Sunday as you will see in the prayer section.
It is never too late to contribute to St Michael’s Gift Day! Many thanks to those who have done so – it is very much appreciated. You can donate in all sorts of ways, the card reader in church, pop by the Vicarage or by post to our treasurer, Ian Courtney at 19 Larkdown, Wantage OX12 8HE. As you will know, we have suffered several thefts and attempted thefts of lead from our roof this year – please give what you can: this helps to ensure that our church continues to be available for all of us, both for regular worship and for key life events such as baptisms, weddings and funerals.
Finally this prayer is often attributed to St Francis. It is known worldwide as ‘The Prayer of St Francis” but was probably written in the 20th century, appearing in 1912 in a small spiritual magazine called La Clochette and further research suggests that it first appeared during the First World War and was found written on the back of a holy card of St. Francis. The prayer bore no name; but in the English speaking world, on account of this holy card, it came to be called the Peace Prayer of St. Francis.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
With every blessing
Julie
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice
Dates for your diary
- October 5th Feast Day of St Francis
- October 6th St Michael’s Coffee & Chat 10.30 @Lambourn CE Primary School
- 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