Days without hate

Dear friends,

We live in febrile times. The sheer number of people who turned up for Saturday’s march in London is a wake up call to those in mainstream politics; that there are many who are disenfranchised, and who feel ignored, taken for granted and generally left out. America’s more extreme version of the culture wars took a violent and sinister turn with the assassination of the speaker and broadcaster Charlie Kirk. The media has been subsequently working hard to remind us that, in this country, we disagree with words, and not with weapons. It is relatively easy to “hate hate” in words – indeed there is if anything too much posturing and “virtue signalling” in our times. It is altogether a different matter to know that you are hated, for whatever reason, and yet to respond with love and kindness, irrespective. “Love your enemies,” Jesus said. “and do good to those who persecute you.”  Difficult, costly, and divine grace (strength from within) is required. We pray for more “days without hate”.

(This telling phrase comes from a song lyric written by Mark Rowland-Jones. He reflects on the frustrations that propel the graffiti artist to protest against a culture, but still having to use the words and letters taught him by the culture for his message. The artist recognizes that he needs love – from God, or another – to get beyond the hatred that he feels, for himself, and for his situation. He knows that he needs this grace to move beyond the work of protest to something properly constructive and creative, to the “days without hate.”)

Worship Services for Sunday 21st September 2025

9.30am Informal Worship at St John’s Stoke Row with Mr Peter Ferguson

11am All Age Worship at St Peter and Paul, Checkendon with Canon Kevin Davies. A friendly and informal service, with music, a treasure hunt, and refreshments afterwards.

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

And in the vestry….

The electricians (at Checkendon) have almost completed their work. The ancient switch gear is no more, and up-to date circuit breakers and distribution boards are now in place. (Guided tours are available for the interested…) Among other improvements, this means that the phasing in of the pew heating, which usually happens around this time of year, should not cause multiple power outages. Let there be light!

Do join us for our family friendly service at Checkendon this coming Sunday. Ignatius the church mouse has lost his key to the church chest! Can you help him find it?

Looking ahead, our Harvest services are in two Sunday’s time, on 5th October. Do make a note in your diary. At Checkendon we are pleased to welcome once again Steve and Frances from Manor Farm at Peppard, with their produce stall in aid of the Ways and Means Trust, our local mental health charity. Bring your shopping bag!

Finally, pray for a moment for the broken hearted. Hearts can be broken at any age, when love is taken away by accident, by violence, by rejection or bereavement. Hold the person you are thinking of before God: “may your face not turn away from them.” Psalm 34 is a great comfort – click on the link to hear David Suchet reading it.

May  the peace of God, and the hope that Christ brings, fill our homes and our churches.

Your Rector, Canon Kevin.