Thoughts from The Vicarage – 9.18 miles walked by the Vicar, a thank you and Pews News.
Greetings on this delightful early Autumn afternoon – one which I have enjoyed immensely!
Along with a few others I walked 9.18 miles on a wonderful Rural Ministry Pilgrimage – the reason why Thoughts and Pews News are a bit late this week! The point one eight is really important!
We walked from Theale and back in a circular route via St Mark’s Church Englefield, Bishop Mary’s house, St Laurence Church Tidmarsh and St Nicholas Church Sulham. At each stop we shared thoughts and reflected upon joy, lament and hope. We raised our voices to the glory of God with thankful hearts accompanied by a kind soul who walked with his guitar! Bishop Mary drew each pause together in prayer.
It was suggested that we might walk the Lambourn Valley with its three churches next time! Would you like to join in and I wonder what route you would choose … ?
Speaking of the wonderful walking our countryside provides leads me to think about this week’s Gospel reading from Matthew. It is Jesus’ parable of the vineyard – a fruitful and productive one. Questions you may like to ponder this week are who does the vineyard belong to, and what are those entrusted with it doing with its fruit?
On the walk today my thoughts of joy reminded me of what a pleasure it was to welcome Elizabeth, our second year ordinand to the Lambourn Valley. Elizabeth has written a thank you letter to you all along with a photo!
‘Dear all
Thank you so much for your warm welcome during my placement with you. I really enjoyed meeting you and seeing some of the many things going on in the benefice. It was a privilege to join you for Harvest and Proms celebration, and to see the communities come together in times of mourning.
I am now back at College for my final year of formation and will put to good use the insights and learnings I gained during my time with you.
As we move into the darker days of Remembrance and winter, I pray that Christ may light our path and draw us closer to him.
Elizabeth
Finally, a prayer of St Augustine, prayed at Morning Prayer today:
Almighty God,
you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:
pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself,
and so bring us at last to your heavenly city
where we shall see you face to face;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
Amen.
With every blessing,
Julie
Dates for your diary
- October 11th 4pm – Harvest Festival St James
- October 17th – Eco Themed Film Night St Michael & All Angels
- October 31st 3.00 – All Souls’ service St Michael & All Angels
- November 1st 10.30 – All Saints’ Day Patronal Festival All Saints
- November 7th 10.40 – Remembrance East Garston War Memorial
- November 8th 10.45 – Remembrance St Michael & All Angels War Memorial & church
- November 8th 10.45 – Remembrance St James War Memorial & church
- December 4th – Christmas Fair St Michael & All Angels
- December 10th 6pm – Oaksey House Christmas service St Michael’s & Oaksey House
- December 16th 6.30 – Jingle & Mingle St Michael & All Angels
- December 17th 3pm – Dress up Nativity St Michael & All Angels
- December 19th – Family film event with screening of the ‘Muppet Christmas Carol’ SMAA
- December 20th 6pm – Nine Lessons and Carols St Michael & All Angels
- December 24th 4pm – Crib service St James
- December 24th 4pm – Christingle family service St Michael & All Angels
- December 24th 11.00 – Midnight Mass St Michael & All Angels
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice