Thoughts from the Vicarage 82
Dear Friends of The Valley
Just a few Thoughts from The Vicarage on this minus 4 degree morning – and that’s before wind chill factor, which I can assure makes walking down Newbury Street extremely chilly! We’ll begin by looking ahead to Easter … no objections I hope.
The Lambourn Valley Great Easter Project 2021
Calling all knitters, ‘crocheteers’ and crafty ones!
Thank you to all who joined in with the angels – we have been able to give these away to families who’ve lost loved ones and they’ve been much appreciated.
Following the magnificent response to requests for nativity characters, poppies and angels I am inviting you to put on your creativity hats once again! Many have been in touch asking about the next knitting, crocheting, crafty project. I know lots of you love to keep busy with a purpose and I’m hoping that you’ll join in with the Great Easter Project 2021 so we can share and celebrate the good news of Easter in style in our Valley churches! We’d love as many hearts, chicks, bunnies, eggs as you would like to make!
To start you off there is a heart pattern attached – which of course need not be red. Representing the love of God I think any colour goes! Sorry, my friends who crochet… but google is your friend for a pattern! Eggs, bunnies, chicks, flowers … let your imagination run riot! If you can’t find one please ask me at the Vicarage or ring me.
This Sunday
This Sunday in the Gospel reading, we hear God say of Jesus, ‘this is my Son, the beloved’. Jesus is the One who reveals the face of God to us; the One who invites us all to ‘Come and See’ what life can be like, living in the knowledge of God’s love for us.
In turn I invite you to come and see and look deeper on Wednesdays at 7pm beginning on February 24th. Please do let me know if you would be interested. It is a new course thinking about the Christian faith. All welcome! Find out more at https://oxford.anglican.org/come-and-see
A reminder
A reminder about Ash Wednesday Service 6 pm 17th February via Zoom. You will need one of the ash sets that are in each church. Please do collect one on your daily exercise walk or ask me if you’d like one delivered. We will be using the order of service attached with this email. Please ask if you’d like one delivered to your home.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday will mark the beginning of 40 days of reflections during the Come and See journey. Each day an email will give you a theme linked to a section of The Apostles’ Creed. From the earliest days of the Church, Christians developed short, simple summaries of the faith known as creeds, often learned by heart. The Apostles’ Creed is a summary of what the Church teaches, and of what Christians together believe. There are 40 daily reflections are grouped in eight chapters of five days. Across each group of five days we will explore what each section of The Apostles’ Creed means and how we live it out in everyday life.
Bishop Andrew
Bishop Andrew who retired from being Bishop of Reading is holding a quiet morning next Saturday. I attended his quiet evenings during Advent. They were spiritually nourishing and very much appreciated. My friend Mike from Hungerford has organised this zoom event. Please do register to by emailing Vicar@StLawrencesHungerford.org.uk if you’d like to receive the zoom code and take part in what I am sure will be a very special preparation for Lent.
And finally
And finally a prayer for us all next Wednesday as the week of Pancake eating deliciousness turns us to the season of Lent.
Gracious God, today begins a period of inner reflection and examination. The days stretch before me and invite me inward to that silent, holy space that holds your Spirit.
This special time beckons me to see my life through Christ’s eyes and the truth and reality of your love incarnate. Give me the grace to enter the space of these days with anticipation of our meeting. And, when I open my soul to your presence, let your loving kindness flow over me and seep into the pockets of my heart.
I ask this for the sake of your love. Amen
May God protect guide and sustain you
Julie