Dear Friends,
I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank everyone who has contributed towards the appeal for the new organ and repairs to the fixtures and fittings for the bells. I have tried to give my personal thanks to as many as possible but, if I have missed giving them to you, please accept this letter as thanks on behalf of all the church community as well as myself. I am really overwhelmed at the support and generosity shown in these difficult financial times from so many in the village and from further a field. If you would still like to contribute then please do so as we are have a way to go to reach our target.
It is not only the monies received that is so heartening but also the knowledge of how many are supporting our village church. We have received the faculty, (the legal permission from the church authorities) to go ahead with the new organ and it will, all things being equal, start to be installed towards the end of August and on through the beginning of September. Once the new organ is safely installed we will have a service of dedication to which all who have contributed will be invited. So once again “Thank you all”!!
This month I am taking a party of 47 to the passion play in Oberammergau, which is performed every ten years. I am truly looking forward to the experience of seeing the story of the passion being performed and when we get back might write something further about it for the magazine. Whilst I’m away the parish will be in the safe hands of Sue who is being ordained as a priest on the 3rd of July and will preside at her first communion service in our church at the main 10am service on Sunday the 4th. Do come along to the service to support and celebrate with Sue. We are very blessed to have a locally ordained curate serving our church who will provide continuity for our church in the years to come.
The school holidays will be open us at the end of the month. This year there will be no holiday fun club run by the church at the beginning of the holidays. It was felt that it would be good to have a rest from it this year but we may well look to have one or more one day events for the children during the winter months. In the meantime we should think of, and pray for, all those who are coming to the end of their time at any particular school and are moving on. It is a time of both excitement and not a little trepidation for them.
My words and prayer for all of them are the same as for each one of you. Remember as you go about all the tasks of your daily lives that God is with you. If you cannot feel his presence I can assure you He is there with you, but of course you do have to take the trouble to actually look out for Him!!
God bless you and all those you love,
John Baxter