A strange beauty

Dear friends

Numbers can do wonderful things, seemingly all by themselves. With attention, however, our minds are able to discern patterns. Order pops out now and then in fields of apparent chaos. Today, for example is 22.11.22. Just an ordinary Tuesday – bright, sunny skies and perhaps showers later. But our labelling pattern, where date numbers are constrained to x, x+1, x+2 etc, nevertheless on this day shows a pleasing symmetry, marking it out as somehow extra special, and even more unique than yesterday. It is fitting that 22nd November is St Cecilia’s day. The patron saint of music would be the first to appreciate that truth is sometimes best mediated not in words, but in the changing patterns of notes and metres that make up the melodies around us.

May your day today be hallowed, whatever you are about; be it work, home life, or leisure; pay attention to what the Spirit says to you in the patterns that surround you.

Worship Services for Advent Sunday 27th November

9.30am Holy Communion at St John’s, Stoke Row with Canon Kevin Davies

11am Holy Communion for Advent Sunday 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.

Coffee, Mince Pies and Carols at the Well

Come join us for a (free) coffee and mince pie on Saturday 3rd December, from 10am in Checkendon village hall. A great chance to catch up with friends old and new and there is a book exchange and a gift stall too.

Many thanks to all those who came along to the working party in Checkendon Church and churchyard last week. A really great job was done, leaving the church looking its very best for the coming season.

In other news, please continue to pray for everyone at St Leonard’s Woodcote as the search for a new minister steps up a gear with the publication of the parish profile and job advert on the Oxford Diocesan, and national C/E websites. If you are interested to see what Woodcote PCC, the appointment panel, and I have been up to you can view both documents on the Team Ministry website by following this link.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. It is Advent on Sunday; pay attention, keep awake, watch out!

Your Rector, Canon Kevin