Created Beauty
Created Beauty
Dear friends,
In this season of Creationtide where we are celebrating and giving thanks to God for the whole of creation, it is easy to focus on the natural world outside; the animals, the trees, the rivers, space - the list could go on. But do we ever think of the arts as part of God's creation? I have asked myself the question before "What is the point, in evolutionary terms, of the arts?" Yet through them we can experience such a range of emotions - they can help us to express and to feel what we cannot use words to say. Listening to a familiar piece of music (or even an unfamiliar one) will often stir emotions in us. Looking at a painting beyond a casual glance will often make us feel something on a deep level, even if it is disgust!
God has given us talents in how we express ourselves. I am fortunate to be involved in the Hurley Pantomime this year and am enjoying the rehearsals and my first foray into being on the front of the stage! And it is allowing me to express feelings and stir emotions in me - obviously as a panto, we are hoping it will be amusing!! But whatever our expression or experience of the arts, we are blessed to have such talents and gifts. It is good to celebrate those gifts and you can read below about how we are trying to do that in our parish as well in our concert (7th October) and festival (in May 2024).
Part of that is, of course, celebrating the individual - even in a play or other stage performance, it is a group of individuals coming together and pooling their talent and enjoyment. But part of it should be celebrating the gifts which have enabled us to enjoy those expressions of art. Whether you enjoy listening to Mozart or Metallica (or anywhere in between!) or whether you enjoy looking at Pablo Picasso or Andy Warhol - we enjoy the arts because they allow us to experience life in all its fulness. And that is what Jesus calls us to. If we discover a little more about God, we discover that God wants us to have that fulness of life and to enjoy those expressions of art.
So as we are giving thanks to God for the harvest, for the natural world, for all that is around us and that we see when we open our doors and go outside; let us also thank God for the gift of the arts. For all those mediums which allow us to express ourselves or experience the expression of others and stir in us the emotions which remind us we are alive and living life in all its fulness. And as we enjoy whatever art is our taste, let us keep the faith.
Young Soloist Concert and Festival
On 7th October we have an opportunity to celebrate the talents of four young soloists from our local area at our concert. We're having it at St. Mary's in Hurley and it starts at 7pm - we'd love for you to join us and we are sharing wine and nibbles afterwards where we will find out a little more about what might be in store for us in the festival in May 2024. Book your tickets for the concert here: https://www.hurleymusicarts.com/
Harvest Suppers
We enjoyed a wonderful evening at the first of our Harvest Meals last weekend in Hurley. But we still have two more coming up which we would love to share with you. The first is on Sunday 8th October at Littlewick Green. We start at the church at 4pm and then move to the Village Hall for a meal starting at 5pm. Adults are £3 and children are free.
Then on Sunday 15th October at Stubbings we are having our Harvest Service ta 11am, followed by a Harvest Lunch at 12ish. This is a bring and share meal and please get in touch with Sue Wilkins (if you need her contact details, let me know!) if you would like to bring some food along to this.
Raffle Tickets and Hampers
As we begin to approach the latter part of the year, we do look forwards to December when we celebrate Christmas. We will be drawing a raffle in early December where you have an opportunity to win some hampers amongst other prizes. If you have any donations for the hampers or would like to buy any tickets, please get in touch with Claire in the office.
Walking Group
Do join us on Monday 9th October for our next walk. We meet at Littlewick Green Church in order to share lifts to Boulter's Lock. We will walk along the river and enjoy coffee and a chat at the Boathouse Pub. The walk is on level paths through the attractive park and you may walk however far you feel comfortable walking. Do join us for the fellowship!
October Services
Sunday 1st October
9:15am - Holy Communion (with Sunday Club) @ St. John the Evangelist, Littlewick Green
10:30am - God Through Music @ St. Mary the Virgin, Hurley
5pm - BCP Evensong @ St. James-the-Less, Stubbings
Sunday 8th October
8am - Holy Communion (BCP) @ St. James-the-Less, Stubbings
10:30am - Holy Communion @ St. Mary the Virgin, Hurley
4pm - Harvest Family Service and Meal @ St. John the Evangelist, Littlewick Green
Sunday 15th October
9:15am - Holy Communion @ St. John the Evangelist, Littlewick Green
10:30am - God in Quiet @ St. Mary the Virgin, Hurley
11am - Harvest Service and Meal @ St. James-the-Less, Stubbings
Sunday 22nd October
9am - Come to the Table @ St. James-the-Less, Stubbings
10:30am - Holy Communion @ St. Mary the Virgin, Hurley
Sunday 29th October
10am - Parish Communion @ St. John the Evangelist, Littlewick Green
Morning Prayer at 9:15am
Wednesday St. James-the-Less, Stubbings
Thursday St. John the Evangelist, Littlewick Green
Friday St. Mary the Virgin
Our churches are open for private prayer:
Littlewick Green – open every day 11am – 4pm
Hurley – open every day 8am – 4pm
Stubbings – open Monday to Friday 9am – 12 noon
Parish Office
Please get in touch with Claire via the office e-mail (office@burchettsgreenparish.org). She is there on Monday-Friday mornings and can be contacted on 01628 820077 as well. For anything which you need I can also be contacted on vicar@burchettsgreenparish.org and 01628 822974, - please note my day off is usually Tuesday.
Blessings to you all,
Tom