Thoughts from The Vicarage with thank yous, Harvest & Season of Creation
Greetings! This Sunday there is another bumper weekend with something for everyone. BCP Communion at St Michael’s, Family Communion at St James, an Altogether Eucharist at St Michael’s each celebrating Season of Creation week 3.
All will be rounded off at 4pm. with a Harvest Festival in All Saints. Elizabeth Shanahan, our second year student on placement from Cuddesdon will be alongside me at both services at St Michael’s and I’m especially looking forward to Sunday afternoon when Elizabeth will be preaching and leading the Harvest Festival service.
Gifts of produce will be most welcome at the service which will be preceded by Harvest lunch in East Garston village hall and onion weighing at 1pm! Gifts will be donated to the West Berks Food Bank. Let’s respond to God’s overflowing bounty in creation by giving generously to their appeal for stock is running low.
It has been a great joy to welcome Elizabeth to the Benefice over the last weeks. The time has gone far too quickly. I am sure I speak for all as we wish her every joy and success in her final year of training as she looks ahead to ordination and curacy! We send her on her way with love and many prayers. Please do keep in touch Elizabeth, come back and tell us all about it!!
Thank you to all those who contributed to the Restore our Roof at last Saturday’s screening of the Last Night of the Proms. It was a super evening of music, not taking itself too seriously despite the high quality of the performances. The pianist’s hands were a blur in the Barber and Nicky Spence was amazing in both the serious operatic songs and the fun parts. We are nearly at our £1000 total – if you are able, do please help us get to £1000 as our Benefactor will match that amount 😊
Looking ahead – St Michael’s Patronal Festival weekend is coming up on Sat September 26th & Sun 27th.
Everyone is warmly invited to join us for this year’s Lambourn Festival of Music! As part of our patronal festival weekend on Saturday 26th September 7pm, St Michael and All Angels’ Church will be welcoming back special guest singers from Kennet Opera to delight us with some of their favourite operatic hit classics. Alongside Lambourn Church’s very own organist. Stephen Holmes, and pianist Susan Norman, this promises to be a wonderful evening of music all in aid of the Restore our Roof Appeal, and the Organ Restoration Fund. This year, we are also delighted to be featuring the Lambourn Handbell Ringers (the Lambourn Chimers) – a great opportunity to hear these angelic instruments up close! This family-friendly concert is free and open to all, with no booking needed. From Mozart and Beethoven, to Puccini, this concert is a great opportunity to hear some first-class music and be transported to the Royal Opera House, all from the comfort of your very own local community church. We look forward to seeing lots of you there!
And finally a prayer:
Gracious God,
Maker and giver of all good things, we give thanks for your love and generosity.
We remember you have created our world, in its diversity and beauty.
You have made each of us, giving us life, and purpose, and freedom through Jesus your Son.
Help us to share your gifts reflecting Jesus, the light of the world.
Amen
With every blessing,
Julie
Dates for your diary
- September 26th – Lambourn Festival of Music St Michael & All Angels
- October 17th – Eco Themed Film Night St Michael & All Angels
- December 4th – Christmas Fair St Michael & All Angels
- December 10th – Oaksey House Christmas service St Michael’s
- December 16th – Jingle & Mingle St Michael & All Angels
- December 19th – Family film event with screening of the ‘Muppet Christmas Carol’ SMAA
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice