A Safe Space

Dear friends,

Our country prides itself on its love of animals. However this is, at best, patchy, and at worst, two faced. In our leafy lanes you will see dogs who are doted on, and well cared for. You will also see dogs crammed into a van and walked in far too large groups to be safe for passers by or their handlers. You will see greyhounds who have suffered, still traumatised by their youth on the track, having been rescued from an early “disposal”. Once or twice a year you will see the hunting dogs, lolloping and howling, with the horn in the distance over the fields. Packs of Range Rovers hurtle after them down the lanes, and then back again, leaving the scent of diesel. Dogs are loved as pets, bred for money, worked, abandoned, lost, given away, won, traded, bartered, competed. They are family members, companions, guards, burglar alarms, assets, businesses, status symbols.  Every animal, whether canine, feline or equine, has its associated community and supporting industry. The Times has made much in the last week or two of the Starmer family’s new kitten, and the perceived threat to the status of Larry the Cat as the real power behind Downing Street. Our relationship with our animals shapes us – whether we “anthropomorphise” (make the animal into a kind of human) or monetize (make the animal into a source of income). Like all relationships, this can be a source of life and goodness for both parties, or sadly can also sometimes turn destructive and abusive. In the Scriptures the goodness of all creation is declared by God, and humankind given both authority and responsibility for the care and stewardship of it. The New Testament looks forward not just to the redemption of humanity but of the whole earth into the fullness of God’s kingdom.

One of the most rewarding parts of my ministry (in my previous post) in Carlisle was as a Trustee of an Animal’s Refuge charity. A small farm in Wetheral did (and still does) wonderful work caring for and re-homing unwanted horses, dogs, and cats. It was place of love for the loveless, and a safe space of hope. For those animals who were not too old, there was the possibility of a new life. For those animals who needed care, or just a quiet place to end their days, this could (usually) be provided. Like our own entry into the Kingdom of Heaven, salvation was worked out in small steps, and by one life at a time. Do join us on Sunday at 11am as we give thanks for God’s wonderful creatures who so bless our lives.

Worship Services for Sunday 15th September 2024

9.30am Informal Worship at St John’s Stoke Row with Revd Romey Poston

11am Pet Service at St Peter and Paul, Checkendon with Revd Romey Poston Canon Kevin Davies. An informal service for you and your pet, with the music group, and coffee from 10.45am

Midweek zoom service: Wednesday Evensong at 5.00pm  410 935 129

Team Review, and Deanery Synod

The assistant Archdeacon, the Ven Jane Haslam, at the request of the Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Committee, has been reviewing the work and structure of the Team Ministry for the past ten months. She spent time talking to the members of the team staff, and the churchwardens. I’m very pleased to let you know that she will present her report to wardens and staff on Friday (13th) and that it will then be available for church councils to share.

There is an important meeting of the Henley Deanery Synod at Christ the King, Sonning Common next Tuesday evening. Please pray for the Area Dean, Rev John Blair, and your church’s deanery synod reps (Checkendon = John Sheppard, Bruce Potter, Suzanne Bradley; Stoke Row = Cherry Turner) as the synod debates the level of parish share that the team churches will be asked to contribute in the next financial year.

Looking ahead a little further, September is a five Sunday month, and we are looking forward to a Team Service on Sunday 29th September, at 10.30am, to be hosted by St Mary’s Ipsden. We will be celebrating the feast day of St Michael and All Angels. Do make a note of it in your diary. Whether you are an angel or not, there is plenty of parking in the field opposite the church.

May the Lord bless you, and all those whom you love, whether they have two legs, or four.         Canon Kevin