Thoughts from The Vicarage with a Novena, an amnesty and prayer
Greetings to you and yours on this beautiful Spring morning and trusts this find you well. A timely thought to remind you that we are always available to have a chat or a cuppa. If you’d prefer to reflect on your own do remember to pop into church and look at the selection of cards to help you – pick one up if it helps – all free. In St Michael’s our prayer table is absolutely open to all, simply take a pen, write your prayer & place it on the table, lay a cross on it or take one away. As I unlock each day and say prayers at 8.30 I read the prayers, place an Amen myself and then pray your prayer during Morning Prayer. You might even like to come along and join me, in person or on Zoom (code on page 2 of letter in church)
A Novena Ascension and Pentecost are 9 days apart. Since the very beginning of the church, those nine days, the Novena, have been a time of prayer. Not just Prayer as individuals but as a community. Archbishop Sarah has written a beautiful booklet for us to follow through those nine days ending with Pentecost. It contains a daily short passage, a thought for the day and a prayer. If you would like one of these booklets, please do let me know. I will have them with me on Sunday and leave a couple in each church.
Just a reminder of an Amnesty for the St Michael & All Angels toilet key –– simply pop it through the Vicarage letter box please.
For those interested in caring for creation, I’ve received news of a screening of a 45 minute film the People’s Emergency Briefing ⭐️featuring Chris Packham, Deborah Meadon & Jennifer Saunders. This film looks at the risks to British life and the UK economy from ongoing damage to nature and to our climate with several screenings around West Berkshire. I have attached the poster with the information you need, dates times and venues. The film presents a clear, measured overview of how the climate and nature crisis is affecting everyday life in Britain. The initiative is explicitly non-partisan and is supported by a wide range of organisations including the Church of England, National Trust, Exeter University, the Royal Meteorological Society, WWF, National Education Union, and many more.
And finally following on with the creation theme …. A prayer
O glorious God, your whole creation sings your marvellous work;
may heaven’s praise so echo in our hearts that we may be good stewards of the earth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Every blessing
Julie
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice
Dates for your diary
- Monday May 11th APCM 7pm – All Saints @ The Quaker meeting house East Garston
- Thursday May 14th Ascension Day Benefice service 7.30pm – St Michael & All Angels
- Sunday May 24th Pentecost 9.00 All Saints and 10.30 – St Michael & All Angels
- Sunday May 24th APCM (Annual Parochial Church Meeting) 12.00 – St Michael & All Angels
