BLESSINGS FROM THE VICARAGE

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

If September was a bountiful time for celebration and thanksgiving, October definitely continues in the same vein but looking even more to God’s wonderful Creation and our potential creative contributions within it. I hope it will highlight our attempts to grow in being an ‘Eco-church’, caring for and protecting our environment as much as possible. Those who walked the Beat the Bounds sponsored walk with me will have seen not only the amazing beauty of our fragile countryside but also how the season is changing quite rapidly into Autumn, which actually is my favourite time of year. As it gets colder, I love the paradoxically warm autumn colours which warm my heart and keep me very grateful and environmentally proactive.

Service-wise (forgive the repeated notice from last month) we will start on the first Sunday (hopefully outside) at the Church of the Good Shepherd at 10.30am by celebrating both nature and all its provision, as well as our wondrous pets and the other animals that enrich our lives. I will also be bringing a large bag of daffodil bulbs for planting after the service, as we have been doing this now for 3 years. The yearly incremental display of bright yellow daffs in Spring is so uplifting and hopeful, bringing a smile to everyone’s faces as they pass by or come into church. Please therefore don’t come in your Sunday best! Bring gloves, wellies, bulb planters, your harvest gifts and whatever you might need for the care of your animals! I have to say that this is an ambitious service…but so very relevant for the wondrous place where we live…

I have, since coming here to be your priest 13 ½ years ago, always tried to keep a balanced connexion between the villages and services, so we will be having the St Mary’s Church Harvest service on 13th October, the second Sunday of October. And we have the honour of baptising a local baby girl on that day too, celebrating the gift of new life. Last year we started planting daffodil bulbs in the front of St Mary’s Church after this service, and so we will continue to do this to grow the joy and beauty in the front of St Mary’s as well! So again, although there is a baptism, don’t come in your Sunday best but bring gloves, bulb planters and your harvest gifts!

In case you didn’t know, all the food and produce that is so generously donated in these services, is sorted and distributed by our dedicated Parish Friends, and given to those in the Benefice who are in most need. We also give fresh produce to Woodlarks charity who teach those with disabilities to prepare and cook food. (Please note that the produce received from the St. Mary’s School Harvest service on Friday 4th October will be taken to Farnham Food Bank.)

On the third weekend of this month, all our villagers’ creative talent breaks loose and we will be treated to a whole weekend of colourful, sculptural, imaginative, inspired delights of diverse art work in the Church of the Good Shepherd. I am so looking forward to experiencing people’s artistic innovations which are a great indication of how astounding the potential is within humanity to create wonderful things.

God’s nature – the flora and fauna, together with these magnificent and surprising creations, are pure light and joy, and thus a direct afront to the negativity, darkness, traumas and troubles in the world. Because of this, in a spiritual way every connected and creative event and experience this month is incarnational – indeed reflective - of when Jesus came as a new, evolved human/divine creation to bring light, love, healing and hope to counter the negativity, darkness, traumas and troubles not only in his time 2000 years ago, but continually since. I give huge thanks to everyone who in this month and beyond will participate actively with whatever energy, gifts and skills they are willing to contribute. Let us keep being positive, loving, caring and protective to our world and to each other…

With love and prayers,

Jane

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PS. Please note: you can still send sponsor money for the ‘Beat the Bounds’ walk if you haven’t yet done so either directly to me by cash, or using the card machine at St. Mary’s Church of the Church of the Good Shepherd, or using the link on the Beating the Bounds web-page.

Thank you 😊

PPS. If you haven’t got your tickets for the Harvest Supper which is a warm, nourishing, entertaining evening, please do get them from Barbara Potter or from the village shop.

PPPS. On 17th November at 10.30am at St Mary’s Church, Bishop Paul Davies is coming to baptise and confirm all and any who wish to connect and journey in the infinite love and eternal life of God, which is wonderful, revelationary and life changing. If you are interested, please contact Rev Jane as soon as possible.