The arms of mercy Dear friends, In the last week, as well as completing all the church legal business required for the annual meeting, there has been shock and sadness around the team at the news of the death of Heather Llewellyn, of Ipsden. Heather was a “mother to us all” not only in Ipsden, but as Lay Chair of the Team…

Checkendon Church and Churchyard Spring Working Party Saturday 22nd April Dear friends Please help us to keep our church and its environment looking lovely! On Saturday morning, from 10-12noon, members of Checkendon church council invite you to join them in church and/or churchyard for the annual clean up. Please bring any tools that you think you might need. The invitation is open…

Come to the feast Dear friends, There is a huge table of worship for you to enjoy in the coming days; prayerful, colourful, crafty, interactive, tasty, musical, thoughtful, sacramental, liturgical, multi-sensory, dynamic, simple. So, I invite you all, come, and celebrate the great feast of Easter at your local church. Everyone is welcome. Holy Week Mon 3rd, Tues 4th, Wed 5th April,…

Your Holy Week and Easter Dear friends, There’s no easy way to do this, but I have to write a list. The staff team and I are looking forward to sharing a joyful and festive Easter with you as we celebrate the resurrection of our living Lord. May the hope that Christ gives be yours, and his glory rise in your hearts.…

Here comes the sun! Dear friends, A little optimistic, perhaps, but nevertheless true. The passing of the vernal equinox means that from now on the northern part of planet earth will be tilting more and more into the sun’s rays. Things will get brighter, and warmer! There are certainly bright things to rejoice in across the Team ministry right now, irrespective of…

Letters and Orders Dear friends, You may not know it, but the above term is church-speak for the papers that a cleric carries to signify that they (a) are genuinely ordained and (b) have the authority of the relevent bishop to minister in a particular place. So, as well as my ordination documents I also have what is known as a “licence”…

Sleeping garden Dear friends, Sleep is good and necessary for us, and cycles of rest are also essential in the garden. Although, just as our bodies use the oppportunity of sleep to “service” various organs and systems, the same is true outdoors. Winter is important. The garden may look quiet, and almost dead, but there is a lot going on under the…

The lost son Dear friends Jesus famously told a tale of two sons (Luke 15:11-31) which is as much about their eventual reconciliation as it is about the compassion and forgiveness of their father.  The younger son decides he has had enough of life on the family farm, and demands his share of it, so that he may do as he chooses.…