Rector’s Ramblings January 2018
Happy New Year to all our Readers and many grateful thanks for all the help and support that has been given this past year. Many thanks as well to our News Letter Editors printers and distributors.
As Brexit rumbles on we turn our thoughts to the year ahead. For any organisation to flourish it needs a structure and that is as true for the church as any other. In your local church there is the Rector or priest with spiritual and legal responsibilities. Then there are two church wardens, they are not only responsible for the fabric of the local church but as channels of communication between the church people they represent and the priest. They hold important posts for the smooth running of the church. They are elected each year by the congregation from the church members and by the church members whose names are on the church electoral role. Elections take place in April, but with Easter on 1st April (yes it isn’t a joke) the congregations need to start thinking about who they want to represent them in the coming year now. Under the church wardens there is the Parochial Church Council which is a group of people elected by the congregation to help in the running of the church and to represent their wishes. They serve for three years and each year a third of their number is elected. Elections take place at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) before the end of April.
I hope many people will take the opportunity to thank the wardens and PCC members for all they have done this past year and consider if God may be calling you to this role in 2018.
This summer I hope that I might take a three month sabbatical or study leave from the Benefice. Priests are encouraged every seven years to take some time out for self nourishment and study. At the moment I have permission from our Bishop to take this leave and I am very grateful to the ministry team to help cover the services while I am away so services will continue as usual. I am awaiting some funding grants and trying to plan who might look after our dog some of the time, as I hope Heather will be able to come with me as well. On my previous sabbatical I studied pilgrimages from a pilgrims perspective and have been involves in some way with they ever since. This time I want to explore the effect of pilgrims on the places they visit, both in a religious and non religious context, i.e how has say Lourdes been effected by pilgrims and how have communities in Germany and Poland been effected by those visiting the concentration camp memorials.
Our own churches in their own way are places of pilgrimage, places where people go to find God and visitors can effect those who work and worship there. I hope to confirm shortly if this will all go ahead.
Cheese and wine with Miss Jones
Please join us at the Old Rectory Hinton-in-the-Hedges on the 28th January 12pm-2.30pm and listen to the Fabulous Miss Jones, Jazz Vocalist. Cheese and Wine and other fine foods will be served.
Tickets £10 (includes one glass of Wine) All proceeds raised go to The Most Holy Trinity Church, Hinton.
Tickets available from: Jeremy- 01280 840017 or Kaye – 07720325979
PAC ~ Praise Activity and Cake
4pm-5pm on Sunday 7th January at Croughton Reading Rooms.
Come and celebrate the Epiphany or the coming of the three kings as we start the New Year with new Sunday family afternoon time. Enjoy some singing, crafts and cake in the centrally heated Reading Rooms, parking available behind the venue. Next to the Black Bird Public house.
Croughton Christmas Tree Festival
My many thanks to all who helped in any way to make our first Christmas Tree festival such a great success. With special thanks to CT Walters Electrical and Mid Counties Co-op for their sponsorship.
Future Dates for your Diaries
4th February PAC 4pm Croughton 12th February-Lent Bible study starts
13th February Pancakes at the Rectory, Aynho
4th March PAC 4pm Croughton 11th March-Mothering Sunday
25th March-Palm Sunday 29th March-Maundy Meal
1st April-Easter
22nd April-St. George Evenley Patronal Festival
29th April-Joint Service with USAF and Shared lunch
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