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 these parts in Saxon times in the 7th century. There is a good chance, however, that Birinus was actually preceeded by earlier, and unheralded saints of the late Roman period (as many Roman Forts are now revealing evidence of early Christianity in their later strata) and that he, too, was building on earlier foundations.

Most saints are, it would appear, anonymous, and known only unto God. That seems to be a good thing. Let us this day celebrate the quiet builders of our faith, who made no headlines, who received no accolades, and who just got on with loving God, following Christ, and doing what they could to make the world a better place, and in so doing, discovered holiness.

Worship Services for Sunday 6th November

9.30am Family Worship at St John’s, Stoke Row with Revd Angela Linton

11am Morning Prayer at St Peter and Paul, Checkendon with Canon Kevin Davies

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

Other service options for elsewhere in the Team can be found on the Langtree Team Ministry Churches website. Do join us for worship either in person, or online, or both. Don’t forget that you now can support both Checkendon  and  Stoke Row churches via dedicated and secure online card donation pages. Just click on the link. It is very easy! Thank you for your support.

Pray Today

– For the Team Vicar vacancy at St Leonard’s, Woodcote; for the churchwardens and PCC, for all those assisting with the ongoing ministry; and for the appointment panel, who meet this evening to move the recruitment process to the next stage; and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for us all.

– For an end to the war in Ukraine and a withdrawal of Russian forces. For skilful and wise persuasion from the nations of the world. For all those who have had to flee their homes.

– For babies and children who have been abandoned by one or both parents.

One last thing: There is an Autumn Clean Up at Checkendon Church and Churchyard on Sat Nov 12th, 10am -12 noon. Please come, bringing the tools you might need. Fresh air, good company. All ages welcome!

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.” Ps 86:11

Your Rector, Revd Kevin Davies