The last jar of marmalade Dear friends It is the time of the year (in our household at least) when the marmalade runs out. By which I mean that the vast stocks created in the jam pan in January have all been consumed. The cupboards have been scoured for the final jars, but now it is all gone. We have to wait…

We will remember them Dear friends, This year has seen the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. The issue at stake back in 1982 was akin to the situation that Ukraine finds itself in today; the right of a people to not be invaded. The Falkland islanders were British, and wished to remain so. Memories of that short and violent conflict include…

A distant echo Dear friends, Times marches on, bearing us this way and that. The buffets and billows assail our little vessels; time and chance may both be cruel or kind. A 38 year old recording surfaced a few weeks ago of the rock band I played in at University; not quite a lost BBC treasure, but nevertheless a blast from the…

Breaking Bridges Dear friends, We live in times of flux. The settlements of yesterday are not working anymore. Partnerships previously taken for granted are under question. The attack on the Kerch Bridge between Russia and the Crimea showed just how pasionately the Ukraine no longer wishes to be regarded as an adjunct of the Russian state. The Brexit decision was a cry…

Langtree Team Churches Ukrainian Refugee Local Support Fund Dear friends, I’m very pleased to announce that a generous anonymous donation has allowed Checkendon Church to launch a fund specifically for the support of Ukrainian refugees hosted in the Langtree Team area. Hosts have been contacted with details about how to apply. The fund remains open for lump sum donations (which can be…

A happy baptism Dear friends, Village activities continue apace; Stoke Row Church shared cake with the Friends of Stoke Row School in church last Saturday, and at Checkendon we welcomed baby Charles Hildred into God’s family, enjoying the chance to greet friends old and new. The music group blessed us all with some classic hymns and songs, and coffee after the service…

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…