Have no anxiety

Dear friends,

Back in the late 1970’s, when a serious international oil crisis had sent inflation spiralling, and the resultant wage demands from many different sectors threw Britain into a carnage of industrial actions, pitting successive governments against one trade union after another, when the Soviet moles inside our security services had not all been exposed, and when the Berlin Wall was still firmly in place, there were stirrings in the Church of England. A number of “new” services of worship (in contemporary language) had been given limited authorisation, and these trials (rather drably named “Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3”) would eventually go on to become the “Alternative Service Book” – the “ASB”.  Alongside the developments in the liturgy, a number of churches were experimenting with music in worship, using instruments other than the pipe organ. There was a blooming of creativity in song, and this flowering brought hope and new life to the church, and through the church to many other lives, my own included. One such church that encouraged this outpouring of worship was St Michael-le-Belfry in the centre of York. Their music group, under Andrew Maries, produced worship songs in the English “folk” tradition, which acted as “seeds” for the creativity of many other churches across the UK, not the least being our own St Aldate’s here in Oxford. The worship songs of Robert Stoodley and Janet Lunt are now hard to find, except in publications from that era, however they encapsulate the hope and encouragement that (at the time, and now, again) are very much needed in society, and arguably, in the church too.

Here is one such, which has stayed with me from those days, as a defiant act of stubborn and faithful “resistance” against social despair, by its anchor in Scripture, and its prophetic simplicity. The words are taken from St Paul in Philippians 4:6 and Colossians 3:15-17. 

“Have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, with prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known unto God with thanksgiving.”

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts for to this you were called in the one body. Do everything in the name of the Lord… with thanksgiving.”

This very simple recording of Janet Lunt’s lost song “Have no anxiety” was made during Covid by a  musician who, like me, saw the times we find ourselves in, and, remembering, was able to draw refreshment from a spring which still runs clear and good.

Worship Services for Sunday 17th May 2026

9.30am Informal Worship at St John’s Stoke Row with Canon Kevin Davies

11am Family Baptism Service at St Peter and Paul, Checkendon with Canon Kevin Davies. A friendly and informal celebration with the Checkendon church music group and refreshments.

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

One day at a time

The recourse to Scripture and prayer is not the only refuge in the storms we face. There is the beauty of the natural world, which always finds a way to inspire, and challenges us to patience and dedication. The clematis below is now over twenty years old, (arguably it has taken me that long to learn what it needs) and despite being on a north facing wall has nevertheless made itself at home and “blooms where it is planted”. We also can find comfort in our fellowship together, whether at church or in one another’s company. God’s Spirit is sovereign, and He meets us, like Christ, on the road and in the mix.

Do join us at our worship – you will always find a welcome,and a place in the house of the Lord.

Looking ahead, please note that there will be a Team service at St Mary’s Ipsden at 10.30am on Sunday the 31st May, with no other main morning services on that Sunday. The preacher will be the Revd Dr James Leach.

Please in your prayers ask God for peace, both in the world, and here at home. There is too much fearful sectarianism on our streets. Remember those who are alone, or who are facing a torrid time. As a bonus, here is another early song from the St Michael’s Music Group. “Shalom, shalom”. The photo montage gives you an idea of what God was doing in His church, as well as a snapshot of both the hair styles and the fashions of the time….

Grace and peace be with you all

Your Rector, Canon Kevin