Joys Dear friends, I always rejoice to see the back of January. Snowdrops are already peeping out, reminding us of better times. Evenings are slowly getting lighter and one knows that February always passes in a flash. Then, March will bring spring. Old friends reappear like flowers, new friends greet one in the lanes and on the footpaths. Life comes again after…
Team Works Dear friends Our team ministry helps our churches in a number of ways: – we share resources, and staff. For example we all benefit from the support provided by the Team office, whether that be in church requisites, printing facilities, or administrative help for the clergy. But we don’t bear the cost alone. Similarly when clergy are on leave, or…
Dear friends, Advent rushes by. The third candle is lit. Churches are being decorated, and carol services approach. Musicians and singers rehearse, sermons are sharpened. This will be my last note to you of 2022, so I list below all the Christmas and New Year services, for a ready reference. I look forward to seeing many of you at our worship in…
A strange beauty Dear friends Numbers can do wonderful things, seemingly all by themselves. With attention, however, our minds are able to discern patterns. Order pops out now and then in fields of apparent chaos. Today, for example is 22.11.22. Just an ordinary Tuesday – bright, sunny skies and perhaps showers later. But our labelling pattern, where date numbers are constrained to…
For all the Saints Dear friends, Today, 1st November, is All Saints’ Day. It is a chance to remember the giants upon whose shoulders we stand; not just the great apostles and martyrs of old, but those closer to home, from the unknown labourers who built the churches we worship in, to good old Birinus himself, who first brought the gospel to…
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…
Dear friends, A very warm welcome to this service, wherever you are worshipping in the Langtree Team Ministry area. May the peace and joy of Christ be yours on this the fifth Sunday of Lent. Easter Preparations Easter preparations are well under way in all our churches: Palm Sunday services take place next week, so do remember to come along to receive…
Dear friends, A very warm welcome to this service, on this first Sunday in Lent. May the peace of Christ be with you. Lent courses around the Team ministry area begin this coming week. Please peruse what is on offer (see inside) and make the most of the opportunity to come together, study, pray and reflect. It is quite OK to choose…
Dear friends, May God’s peace and blessing be upon you all. Welcome to our worship today. Our prayers are requested for everyone in the Goring benefice tomorrow evening, as the Revd Ben Philips is instituted as their new Rector. Please pray for Bishop Colin, Archdeacon Judy, Area Dean Linda, and everyone who will be involved in that special service. On Friday we…
e? Dear friends, A very warm welcome to this service, wherever you are worshipping across the Langtree Team ministry area. This Sunday marks the fourth and final sunday of the Epiphany, and this season of “revelatory glory” comes to an end next Saturday, 2nd Feb, with the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, otherwise known as Candlemas. Once we are into February…