Connected Dear friends, We had become complacent about our connected world. Grain from Russia and Ukraine has stopped flowing to Africa, pushing more into desperate flight, or to give in to the temptation pick up a gun. Fragile economies teter on the edge. Our own spiralling energy costs and the resulting inflation come from the same conflict; the UK economy may not…
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…
Celebrate and give thanks. Dear friends, The coming half term/bank holiday/Jubilee week brings two opportunities at least for us to gather and celebrate, both Her Majesty’s faithful service and witness and also God’s gift to his people of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Jesus promised those who followed him that they would not be “left comfortless” (two words which could well describe…
Meet the Bishop Dear friends, This Wednesday (tomorrow) you have an opportunity to meet and question Bishop Stephen Croft, Bishop of Oxford, at Shiplake Church, from 7.30pm. Whether you want to ask him about his priorities for the Diocese, the Christ Church affair, or how the economic crisis is affecting your church, do take this opportunity to have your say. Parking for…
Dear friends, Sometimes there are good days. Early on Sunday morning a large owl flew majestically and gracefully across the road only a few yards ahead of me. I had a superb view of him (?her) for a good four seconds. Huge eyes in a great round face, matched only by my open-mouthed wonder. Everything, it seems, is out and about in…
War weary Dear friends, A number of Ukrainian refugees have begun to arrive in our communities; located in Stoke Row, and also Goring. There are a couple of other visa applications in the system; but these are where there has normally been an existing connection. Most of the potential hosts across our team that have registered with the Home Office are still…
Easter, ongoing Dear friends, Easter is a longer “season” than Christmas. Six, sometimes seven weeks when daily readings and prayers remind us that Christ is risen, and that hope is never wasted. The Easter season ends on Pentecost Sunday, which this year falls on 5th June, the culmination of her Majesty’s Jubilee weekend. On the way to the party, let us daily…
Dear friends, The gritty reality of an Easter with a war in Europe is not something anyone anticipated this time last year. We looked forward to the taming of Covid, and the return of social fellowship in all areas of life; education, emplyment, healthcare, Church, leisure. Society has returned, but every area is struggling to be “normal” with possibly staffing, or supply…
Dear friends, Easter draws near. Next Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, when we commemorate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, not in a tank, but on a donkey. He did not plan to abduct, torture or kill others, rather this was to be his own fate. The crowds welcomed him with branches and cheers, but in the end even his own followers…
Dear friends, Our Lent Journey online pilgrimage is now in its fourth week. We’ve been enjoying exploring “forty words” of Jesus from the New Testament for a few minutes each evening; “Peace”; “Freedom”; “Fear”; “Forgive” being just a few. The good thing about the format is that you can drop in for a day or two as your week permits, or not…