Rector - Revd. Teresa Townsend

Dear Friends,

And so we have had rain! Rejoicing has been heard in the Rectory garden as the flowers have begun to perk up and bloom and the grass has remembered it is usually green. The weeds have loved all the weather and so the brambles are creeping back in where they are not wanted.

My Ramblings from the Rectory come from mid-September where we are still trying to work out how to manage the different weather. From knowing every day that it was going to be warm or hot and dry, we are now in the guessing game period – there’s sun, so does that mean it’ll feel warm or chilly? There’s cloud, does that mean it’ll feel chilly or warm? There’s no cloud around, but might there be later, and should I take a coat or brolly just in case? And what about a jumper? Generally, on days like this, I throw the lot into a bag or the car ‘just in case’! 

But it is the water – the rain, the need for the rivers and streams to rise again - that has made me think, especially in this time of Creationtide in the Church calendar. Water is so important to us. It is beautiful to look at when the sun is shining on it and it is gently flowing – whether a tiny stream or a vast ocean. It is life-giving, as we need it to drink, to stay alive, to help our crops grow and enable plants of all kinds to grow in abundance. Yet it is also a devastating natural element. The floods in Nepal in early September were horrifying to watch, knowing that the so many people nearby were unable to escape. Flooding of any kind, when the water comes into contact with homes and businesses is always devastating. It carries debris, disease and destruction that is hard to handle and recover from.

The thought of water brings to mind some of the readings we have had in church recently, where there have been storms when the disciples were on the boats and Jesus has had to calm them down as well as the storm. His presence made things easier for them.

And water has played a strong part in our parishes over the last six months as we have celebrated the baptism of thirteen children across the three churches in that short space of time, and we know there are likely to be others before the year is out.

The water of baptism brings renewal, hope and joy, offering families time to gather together but also connect with the church as part of tradition, faith and a sense of belonging within the community.

We are also in a time when we give thanks for the harvests – our churches hold harvest services and gather for lunch, our schools come to the churches to give thanks and to share what they have learned about this special season and through it all, we give thanks for those who farm – for the crops they grow, the animals they tend and for the focus they have on providing food for us all, at a time when, for so many, having enough food is a daily concern.

As the season continues to change from early autumn towards late autumn, the temperature continues to drop and the hours of daylight reduce, we are still together as communities that can rejoice in the goodness around us and look out for each other as we always do.

May your October be one of thankfulness and hope. If it is not and you’d like to chat, please get in touch. We are here for you all.

With every blessing

Teresa