Weekly News

Collect for  Sixth Sunday of Easter

God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

News and Notices!

A Note from the Vicar
As we head into the second of our May Bank Holiday Weekends, I hope that you’ll all enjoy the weather as well as the company of friends and family. I have to be honest, one thing I am looking forward to is watching the start of the next season of Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime (out today). For those unfamiliar, Clarkson’s farm follows the sincere yet unavoidably comedic ineptitude of Jeremy Clarkson as he seeks to make a success of his farm in the Cotswolds. Clarkson may be the draw, but it’s the solid efforts, insight, and talents of the farming crew around him that both entertains and educates in equal measure. Funny, yes; but poignant too as it showcases the difficulties not just of the practicalities of farming but the fiances of it too. Not many farmers are as fortunate as Clarkson to be able to absorb significant losses or barely break even year on year.

Having grown up in rural Devon, where our house was literally surrounded by a farm field which often had either cows or sheep in it, many of my friends growing up were farmers kids. Living there, Rogationtide was a big part of the church year, where we would often have the service either on a farm or touring around several farms – singing a hymn and hearing a reading at each farm as we prayed over the land that God might bless it and make the coming harvest prosper.
Rogationtide this year is on the 26th, Bank Holiday Monday. Whatever your day may look like might I encourage you to pray for our nation’s farmers, especially those in our local area; particularly that we might soon have rain to nourish the land and end the present drought. The winter cereals are for the most part coming through towards harvest but need a good drink to ensure decent yields. With Open Gardens around the corner, I’m sure that the villages’ Gardens would also be grateful!

Almighty God,
whose will it is that the earth and sea should bear fruit in due season:
bless the labours of those who work on land and sea,
grant us a good harvest
and the grace to always rejoice in your fatherly care;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen

Jeanne Sholl’s Funeral
June 3rd at St Margaret’s at 11am, followed by burial at the Hazlemere Cemetery.

Watch this Space:

• Ascension Day Communion – St Margarets at 7:30pm May 29th
• MAP Feedback – The Sanctuary from 1:30pm May 31st
• Open Gardens – Teas and Coffees in the Sanctuary on June 8th
• Holy Trinity’s Patronal Festival Service – Joint Benefice Service June 15th
• Pet Service at Holy Trinity – June 22nd at 4pm followed by refreshments
• “Exploring… the Early Church” Course running throughout August
• Heritage Weekend 13th/14th September
• SAVE THE DATE: Harvest Supper 4th of October
• And finally but by no means least, St Margaret’s Patronal Festival Joint Benefice Service where we shall be joined by our new Bishop, the Rt Revd Dave Bull on October 19th.

A Reading from Basil of Caesarea
The Christian’s Need of Fellowship
For the body is not one member, but many.
– 1 Corinthians 12.14

Other people may be great, strong, and self-assured. I, however, am nothing, and I’m worth nothing. Therefore I could never assume the burden of even thinking I can cope with life’s affairs without the help of others. I’m well aware that I need the assistance of my brothers, each one of them, more than one hand needs the other’s help. In fact, the Lord has taught us the need of fellowship from the very way our bodies are made. When I look at my limbs, and see that none of them can get along by itself, how can I think I’m capable of fulfilling life’s duties in isolation? One foot alone can’t walk rightly without the other’s aid. One eye alone can’t see in proper perspective without the other’s cooperation, both seeing together. The sense of hearing is more accurate when both ears receive sound. The hand’s grip is more secure when made by all the fingers in “fellowship” with each other.
To sum up, in everything accomplished through natural action and by the human will, I see nothing done except bu the joint working of powers in alliance. Even prayer itself, when it isn’t the prayer of believers united together, loses its proper effect; the Lord tells us that it’s when two or three call upon him in joint prayer that He will be in the midst. In the very plan of salvation, the Lord worked to bring about togetherness between things on earth and in heaven, through the blood of His cross. For these reasons, my prayer is that for however many days are left for me here below, I may spend them in harmonious fellowship with others; and when I come to die, I pray I will die in such peace.
– Basil of Caesarea, from Epistle 97 ~ 371 AD.
In August we shall be ‘Exploring… the Early Church’ by finding out about some key figures like Basil of Caesarea – both some of their key ideas but also some of their escapades and adventures! More details coming soon…

SAFEGUARDING: There are safeguarding officers attached to both churches. Contact details can be found in the porches.