A rolling stream Dear friends Many journeys are made in the course of our lives. Some we plan, carefully, methodically – tours, holidays, and the like. Some are part of the routine of our being – to our workplace, to the shops, to the garage or to a family member. Some journeys are made in hope, others in anticipation, expectation or even…
All things new Dear friends, A very warm welcome to the Revd David Benskin and his family, who was licensed by Bishop Gavin at St Leonard’s last Thursday and conducted his first services as our new Team Vicar on Sunday. Very many thanks too are due to the churchwardens at Woodcote; Martin, Barbara, and now Sue, for their steering the ship during…
The earth shook Dear friends, …but it was not for the Lord’s return, rather the sound check for the PA system ahead of the CheckFest on Saturday. A small event this time last year, with one band, a bar and some food, grew to two bands, and more stalls, a larger bar and an almost exponential increase in the numbers attending, much…
Unsteady State Dear Friends The bubblings over of the inner tensions in Russian government should warn us not to assume that the war in Ukraine is something contained, or bounded. Our lives continue to be profoundly affected by the economic aftershocks of the conflict; fuel prices rises threw petrol on inflationary fires already started by the pandemic; hurried re-armament by western nations…
Last things first Dear friends, After over twenty three years of service in the Langtree Team Ministry, our beloved Revd Angela will be retiring from parish ministry on the 23rd July. Before she steps down, Angela will be conducting a number of “last services” at churches around the Team between now and then, beginning this Sunday at Checkendon. Members at Checkendon are…
From the heavens Dear friends, Many congratulations to Rachel Carter and Edward Hildred, who became Mr and Mrs Hildred at Checkendon church on Saturday. A very cheerful service, with the bells ringing, and organ playing, and in wonderful serendipity, the Red Arrows flying overhead as we started, seemingly adding Checkendon at 1502hrs into their flight plan back from trooping the colour. Heaven…
The ancient office Dear friends, Did you know that the office of Churchwarden was recognised in law as early as the 12th Century? Two churchwardens are elected every year by a meeting at which every adult parishioner is eligible to vote, not just those on the church electoral roll. Your churchwardens are responsible for all your parish business, and their office gives…
Holy Fire Dear friends The Church as an Institution has always been uncomfortable with the exuberence of Pentecost (Acts 2) – perhaps it was the early start, or the babble of languages from the known world, or the divine flame powering an explosion of evangelism and joyful explanation of what God had done and still does, in and through Jesus Christ. Jesus…
Nil by mouth Dear friends, It has been an unusual week of “firsts” for me; some new experiences of pain, a night sat in A&E (while various tests were underway), anasthaesia, surgery, some different pain, and the strange gift of convalescense. Hats off to the staff at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, who treated me, and my appendix, with humanity and compassion. The…
Memorable Moments Dear friends Whether it was the sight of the massed parade on Buckingham Palace Lawn giving three cheers for the King, or the blind pianist Lucy capturing everyone’s heart at the Coronation Concert, there have been many hundreds of moments that will linger long in memory from the weekend just passed. Many thousands of people have spent many thousands of…