Happiness
Dear friends,
As we approach the last weeks of the summer holidays, many of the conversations I seem to have with fellow parents at the moment are around whether we will see more sunshine before the children return to school! We sometimes get very hot, sunny summers (at which we complain it is too hot) and we sometimes get very cool, wet summers (at which we complain it is too cold and wet)! It seems we are never happy with the weather whatever it does.
It reminded me of a quote from C. S. Lewis who said "Do not let your happiness depend on something you may lose." Obviously we have no control over the weather - I have conversations with wedding couples about that very point! And while we may pray fervently for sunshine, we understand realistically that we cannot have the weather we want, when we want it. But do we seek happiness in other things which are also transient and unpredictable? The recent economic challenges have, if nothing else, highlighted the fragility of our economy. I am sure we can all recall times when our health or the health of a loved one has turned dramatically. Everything in this world is transient.
There is a wonderful part of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians which says "So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." If we refocus ourselves on the things which are beyond this world, we will find that we have happiness not just in this world but in the next as well. We are called to store up treasures for ourselves in heaven because that is where they will last. As we enjoy whatever the rest of the summer throws at us; as we navigate the challenges which come our way; as we journey together through various crises of our modern age; let us remember that we have a God who is always faithful and wants to see us flourish while also understanding we are eternal beings in a temporary world. And so, let us keep the faith.
August Services
27th August - 10am @ St. John the Evangelist, Littlewick Green
Summer Communion - As we approach the Bank Holiday, we celebrate the Great British Summer with a Communion service in a slightly different way. Come along on 27th to find out more and to share in the feast together.
Please keep your eye out for next week's newsletter which details September services, but we return to our regular pattern of worship!
Walking Group
Everybody really enjoyed last week's walk along the tow path at Sonning, investigating the very interesting church, and especially the fellowship over coffee at The Bull Inn afterwards! You may like to diarise the next outing which will be on the morning of Monday, 11th September. Details closer the time.
Sunday Club
On the first Sunday in September we will be returning to having our Sunday Club during our 9:15am service of Communion at Littlewick Green. Do please come along to join us - you are welcome whichever is your home church! The theme will be Treasures of Heaven so we look forward to wait awaits us as we celebrate with our children.
Morning Prayer
A reminder that we are not meeting for Morning Prayer during August but there are resources in our churches for your prayer life, or you can explore online options such as Pray as You Go or Lectio 365 - well worth checking out. We will return in September to do prepare to join us physically again.
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