Happy Days

Dear friends,

I hope you were able to enjoy the Jubilee festivities, whether in company with family or neighbours, or just via the TV coverage. After what seems to have been an endless stream of bad news, we were I believe eager for something to celebrate and be truly thankful for. God bless her majesty! At Checkendon, wonderful worship and flowers in church extended to generous (and free) tea and cake provided by our church social committee to the whole community for Sunday afternoon. The weather did not dampen the mood, with flags and bunting as the parish took time to rouse itself, and look around, shaking off the Covid chains, and finding that being in the company of others is not quite so threatening, after all.

Worship Services for Sunday 12th June

9.30am Morning Prayer at St John’s Stoke Row, with the Mr Peter Ferguson

11am Morning Prayer for Trinity Sunday at Checkendon, with Revd Kevin Davies. A traditional service, with hymns, a sermon, and coffee afterwards.

6.30pm-7pm. Together at Home. An online evening service with Revd Kevin Davies.  Zoom numbers 636 645 195 and passcode 000162. Music, prayers, and a word from Mark’s gospel.

Other service options for elsewhere in the Team can be found on the Langtree Team Ministry Churches website. Do join us for worship either in person, or online, or both. Don’t forget that you now can support both Checkendon  and  Stoke Row churches via dedicated and secure online card donation pages. Just click on the link. It is very easy! Thank you for your support.

Revd Linda Smith

Those of you who were not present at the Team Service on May 29th will perhaps not have heard the news that Revd Linda will be retiring at the end of September. After thirteen years as a much valued member of our Team, Linda and Bill will be moving to be closer to family in Cornwall. They will be hugely missed by everyone at St Leonard’s and in the community of Woodcote. Happily for us all, Bishop Gavin has given his permission for a successor to be recruited, and the Team Council, Woodcote PCC and I will be starting to work on this over the summer. Linda has been a bright jewel in the treasure chest that is our team ministry, and so we are really sad to hear that she is going; but also we recognise that there are times and seasons for every person, and every ministry, so we will be able to send them both out with our love, our gratitude, and with the joy of the Lord in their hearts.

Team Council members are (thus!) reminded that our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 21st June, in Checkendon Church, at 8pm. Churchwardens, please make sure your PCC is represented. Agenda and papers will be circulated soon.

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

Your Rector, Canon Kevin.