Jenny’s letter September 7th
Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well as we step into September and all that autumn will bring.
The summer seems to have passed quickly though there may be some more hot weather to come before the end of September.
Looking ahead, our calendar is already filled with wonderful opportunities to come together. We begin with one of the happiest services of the year—our Pet Service at 11.00 am on Sunday 14th September. This is always such a joyful occasion and the animals so very well behaved. Do bring your pet for a special individual blessing, or come along with a photo, and invite friends and neighbours to do the same. Together we will give thanks for the animals who share our lives and remind us of God’s good creation in all its variety.
Two weeks later, on Sunday 28th September, we will gather for our Harvest Festival, followed by a shared Harvest Lunch. This is a lovely chance to celebrate God’s abundance, to share food together, and to enjoy one another’s company. We are able to cater for about 50 people, so it helps us enormously if you can add your name to the list at the back of church. That way, we can make sure there is a place at the table for everyone who wants to come. We also hope to do some take home meals for those who aren’t able to come out.
Amid these joyful occasions, I also want to acknowledge the quieter but no less important work of safeguarding. You can read about some of the progress we have made elsewhere in this newsletter, but I want to thank everyone who plays a part in ensuring our church is a place where all can feel safe, welcomed, and cared for. Safeguarding is not simply a responsibility for a few—it belongs to all of us. As Paul reminds the Corinthians, the church is like a body: “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together.” When we care for the most vulnerable among us, we live out that calling to be Christ’s body in the world.
Throughout September we observe the Season of Creation. This is a time to reflect on God’s gift of the natural world and our responsibility to tend it with care. I must admit that I prefer sunshine, but the recent rains have certainly freshened the ground and is beginning to make the grass wonderfully green again. It is a small reminder of how dependent we are on the rhythms of nature, and how faithful God is in sustaining the earth. Creation care is not a side issue for Christians—it is a central part of our vocation to steward what God has entrusted to us.
So as we enter this new season, may we do so with gratitude: for the delight of our pets, the bounty of the harvest, the safety of our community, and the beauty of creation that continually renews us.
With every blessing,
