Plague and pest

Dear friends,

Here’s a rather tedious fact; just because you’ve had a double jab won’t prevent you catching delta-covid. The jabs should prevent you getting seriously ill, or going to hospital. They won’t prevent you testing positive, needing to self isolate, feeling rough, having to change your plans, inconveniencing your entire household and possibly passing the infection on to someone else. So it is still very important that we do stuff outside if possible, wear face coverings, wash hands, and keep a good distance from our friends when socialising. This buys time for the vaccination programme to reach down into the age groups currently passing the variant about.

It is a pest, but it can be managed, as the happy couple at their wedding blessing last Saturday proved. The bells rang, the organ played, vows were said, and prayers were prayed. Flowers, dress, bridesmaids, and the sun shone. Wonderful.

Some pests, however, appear unmanageable; does anyone have any helpful tips for sawfly caterpillars on gooseberries, before they devour my whole bush?

Worship for Sunday 4th July

9am Short said service at Checkendon Church, led by Revd Kevin Davies. Please wear your mask, and remember social distancing is still required. No need to book.

9.30am Family service at St John’s Stoke Row, led by Peter Ferguson. Please wear your mask, and remember social distancing is still required. No need to book.

11am Morning Prayer (via zoom) with Revd Kevin. 636 645 195 and passcode 000162. A contemporary service, with hymns, readings, and a talk from the Bishop of Oxford.

It is absolutely OK to pass these details onto friends and family, who are very welcome to join us. Other online service options can be found on the Langtree Team Ministry Churches website.

You can support Checkendon church and  Stoke Row churches via dedicated and secure online card donation pages. Just click on the link. If you’ve not tried this way to make a donation, please give it a go. It is very secure.

Nut and Bolt

Annual Church Meetings and Elections are coming up at both Stoke Row and Checkendon churches. Please do attend to hear reports from your church officers and take part in elections. Nomination forms are pinned at the back of your church.

APCM at St John’s Stoke Row: Wed 7th July 7.30pm.        APCM at St Peter and St Paul Checkendon Sun 25th July 9am after a short service.

Short reports will be available by email or at the meetings. We give thanks for all those who serve as lay officers- wardens, treasurers, secretaries, pcc members. Your Annual Meeting is also a great chance to share together in past acheivements as well as future hopes. It is a good time to take stock, and see where we are with God, and with each other.

May the Lord be with you this week.

Revd Kevin Davies