Thoughts from The Vicarage with All Saints, All Souls & All Welcome!
Greetings and looking forward to a full weekend as we remember all the saints who from their labours rest …. This Sunday is All Saints Day, when we will gather at All Saints East Garston 10.30 to celebrate not only the famous saints of old, but also that countless number of unknown, hidden saints, forgotten by human history yet known to God and made holy by God.
The Revd Canon Peter Moger sub dean of Christchurch will preach on this special occasion. All, and I mean all are welcome! The ancient church will be dressed in white and gold, glorious colours for a Patronal Festival, symbolising purity, joy, and the glory of God.
The Lambourn Valley Benefice is under the Patronage of Christchurch Cathedral and The Bishop of Oxford – hence our welcoming Peter from our Cathedral. Please make every effort to attend this service as it is super that Peter is able to be with us all. Yes, I know there is a deviation but please make an effort – Peter is coming from Oxford!!! All welcome to stay for refreshments, fellowship and conversation following the service.
St Michael & All Angels in Lambourn is keeping All Souls’ Day on Saturday at 3pm, a day of prayer for the departed, where we pray with the Church through the ages: Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. You are welcome to this quiet, peaceful service to remember a loved one, rest in the quiet, sing a hymn, light a candle & pray. If you’d like their name read out, write your loved one’s name on the list or let me know. The empty chair is for a quiet moment to reflect, give thanks and remember your loved one in the quiet, safe space of St Michael’s. All, and we mean all, are welcome.
St Michael’s Christmas Fair is on December 4th with doors open at 4pm. We still have space for stall holders, please either ring 07338 085015 or email secretarylb@lambournvalley.org
More info on the updated, fully comprehensive St Michael & All Angels Church Near You with all you need to know about services and events right up to the New Year. Do take a look here Events – St Michael’s and All Angels Lambourn – A Church Near You
Thanks very much to church warden Doug who’s also organised the second St Michael’s yard and Church tidy up. All welcome as we prepare for events inside and out. The main party will work on Nov 7th & 8th. We will concentrate on the Memorial garden tidy up and path to the south door outside. Inside Deep clean of the Lady Chapel and a sweep and Dust around the Chancel and Nave.
Last week I attended a meeting organised by the University Church & Diocese of Oxford, with support from the Oxford Survivor Group at which Survivors of church-related abuse and safeguarding campaigners shared powerful testimonies challenging the Church to confront past failings and become more aware of challenges. Discussion centred on the need for the Church of England at a national level to confront difficult truths and better support survivors in their recovery. Find out more here https://tinyurl.com/55vxd2v4 So it seems a timely reminder that Safeguarding Sunday is on November 15th this year.
Finally, a prayer :
God of unfailing light,
in your realm of glory the poor are blessed,
the hungry filled,
and every tear is wiped away.
Strengthened by this vision,
may we follow in the way of holiness that your Son made known in life and death.
Amen.
With every blessing,
Julie
Dates for your diary
Dates for your diary
November 6th & 7th – St Michael’s yard and church tidy up – all welcome!
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
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