Good afternoon dear Friends of The Valley
This comes midweek with a reminder that Ascension Day is tomorrow Thursday 13th May and all are welcome at 7.30pm in St Michael & All Angels.
Thank you
Thank you for your feedback on Thoughts from The Vicarage. It’s always encouraging when I receive correspondence from readers! From time to time I also receive recommendations to share. Many thanks to Chris & Wendy who wrote saying ‘Radio 4’s Sunday Worship was on just after 8 am. It was presented by Archbishop Stephen Cottrell on the topic of How To Pray and it was excellent.’
There are some great reflections and conversation about prayer …
You can listen again on the website or BBC Sounds. Listen in here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000vy18
You won’t be disappointed and if you are interested in finding different ways of praying do listen. The music is very beautiful and varied – with many beautiful and varied pieces. Most importantly it led me into worship and praise.
Ascension Day
A short thought for reflection and a sonnet from a favourite poet.
Jesus is still fully human and yet not limited in time and space as other humans are. A fully human person is now seated at God’s right hand! Human experience is part of God’s own experience forever. Jesus can now be with us in all times and places.
A Sonnet for Ascension Day
We saw his light break through the cloud of glory
Whilst we were rooted still in time and place
As earth became a part of Heaven’s story
And heaven opened to his human face.
We saw him go and yet we were not parted
He took us with him to the heart of things
The heart that broke for all the broken-hearted
Is whole and Heaven-centred now, and sings,
Sings in the strength that rises out of weakness,
Sings through the clouds that veil him from our sight,
Whilst we ourselves become his clouds of witness And sing the waning darkness into light,
His light in us, and ours in him concealed,
Which all creation waits to see revealed.
Malcolm Guite
Your thoughts are welcome – please respond!
I’ve been thinking about moving ahead as the restrictions are lifted – and I’m not simply talking about the hugs! This is not a formal questionnaire – rather one which I’m hoping you’d like to share your thoughts:
- What two things have you missed most about Church life?
- What two things have you not missed as much as you expected?
- Does our common life need to look different moving forward? If so, why? If not, why not?
- What are you learning about God and the Church at the moment?
Churches Count on Nature week
Churches Count on Nature week is getting nearer! If you’d like to join in and help or simply come along and spot wild life, plants and lichens in the village graveyards you’ll be very welcome. For more information please contact Ruth Honey (07720 439733), Deborah Phillips.
And coming up very soon please remember Eastbury May Fair on Sunday 23rd at 2pm!
Looking ahead …
Pentecost on May 23rd
The services will be at:
- All Saints 9am Holy Communion
- St Michael & All Angels 10.30 Eucharist
And finally …
Keith and I will be on leave from Friday returning Saturday week. Christine will be available and may be contacted on 07801 096345 or 01488 674108 and will be leading worship on Sunday.
Julie