Dear Friends
The joy of our churchyard
I am very grateful to Monica Weller for this lovely photo of our churchyard taken a few weeks ago. As Monica says, “It’s a sensational tree bringing light to the crossroads.”
Increasing our capacity to take forward the mission of the church (Church Development Plan Priority 3)
The third Specific Action Point of Priority 3 of our Church Development Plan is “To recruit a communications team who then take forward the recommendations of the Communications Strategy.” Concerning progress to date, Nick Garrett writes, “Improving our Communication has been on our CDP list for as long as we’ve had a CDP. Vicki did a great job of setting the scene last time and now we want to build on that. We have a small band of experts lined up to offer expertise, and the first step is to create The Grid – a guide to what needs to be communicated when and how through the year. Watch this space – we may get ‘joined up’ yet!”
Supporting the work of the Parochial Church Council (PCC)
The PCC meets again on Monday evening (10 November) for one our regular meetings. Please do pray for us. It is a privilege to serve on the PCC but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy; sometimes we wrestle with difficult decisions. And so to know that everyone is praying for our meetings would be enormously encouraging.
Remembrance next Sunday and Tuesday
One of the (many) significant moments in our church calendar is the marking of Remembrance. On Sunday, our 10 o’clock service will have a Remembrance focus and incorporate an Act of Remembrance at 11 o’clock. At 10.50am, a few of us will continue the service outside as we join with others who have gathered at the War Memorial. Meanwhile, on Remembrance Day (Tuesday), we invite people to gather at the War Memorial for a short service beginning soon after 10.45am.
Giving thanks for Revd Ian McFarlane
I distinctly remember meeting Ian McFarlane, former Lead Minister at Bookham Baptist Church, when I came to look around the parish on the day before my interview. I sensed I would enjoy working with him, and so it proved to be. We have just heard that Ian died peacefully in his sleep at home early in the morning on 4 November. His family writes, “He was a courageous, funny, compassionate, loving, adventurous man who looked for opportunities to bring healing into every situation. He loved so many people and he loved sharing God’s love with everyone.”
Keeping up to date
Our weekly notice sheet is available online (click here) and in church. Some moments from our 10 o'clock service last Sunday are also available; click here to access.
And finally…
There were crowds in the streets of London the day the peace was signed,
they sang in exultation; they danced, they wined, they dined;
for the dreadful war was over, the slaughter at an end,
and now at last a broken world could slowly start to mend.
But among the celebrations, the cheerful, happy cries,
a multitude were weeping, no laughter in their eyes.
For these there was no reason to share the festive mood,
their hearts were bowed with sorrow, their every thought subdued.
For while the throng around them gave vent to shouts of joy,
they grieved a loving husband, they mourned their precious boy,
they thought of dads or brothers, of cousins, nephews too,
of uncles, colleagues, trusted friends, so many they once knew.
So when some talk of glory, of mighty deeds once done,
think also of the suffering with which it all was won.
And when they speak of victory upon that glorious day,
remember all those buried in fields so far away.
It’s true that time’s a healer, and it was all long ago,
it’s true we’ve learned to live with the ones we once called foe;
but many still are haunted by thought of those they lost,
still struggling with their feelings, still counting out the cost.
So if you would pay tribute and honour those who fell,
then work for peace and justice, and make your freedom tell.
There is no way more fitting we can repay the debt,
nor better way of saying that we will not forget.
Nick Fawcett, Tears of Victory
Wishing you much joy and peace.
Alan
Alan Jenkins
Rector
