Stagnating
Dear friends,
We are currently excavating in our garden in order to build a pond for some of the wildlife (we already get regular froggy visitors!) While we've been doing that I've been reflecting on the challenges with creating a sustainable and helpful ecosystem in which plants and other wildlife can thrive while also not requiring too much specialist equipment or knowledge. One of the big things about making a pond seems to be the depth and making sure that it is deep enough that it doesn't heat up too much in the summer which causes deoxygenation and forms algae.
I remember when we used to live in Andover we would often walk past some areas of stagnant water and it never seemed to be a good environment for much (apart from the odd wild shopping trolley...) But it got me thinking whether the same can be true for our journey of faith. How do we make sure that we are going deep enough that we aren't simply stagnating in our faith? It is all too easy to fall into routines and habits where we aren't actually feeding our faith and giving it the conditions it needs to thrive. Much like the wildlife in a pond, if we don't make sure the conditions are right, then our faith will suffer and, eventually, stop being able to grow at all without a complete clear out.
But I think that we often get bogged down (no pun intended!) in the solutions being too difficult or taking too much time. There is an exercise in churches at the moment, while we aren't doing Morning Prayer in church buildings, which focusses on the practice of stilling. It takes just 10 minutes and provides us with a valuable opportunity to still ourselves before God and listen. Taking that time out of our day can make a big difference to our faith - that's less than 1% of our day (if we include sleeping!) But it can make a big difference. From there we might begin to look at the habit of daily Bible reading and reflection, perhaps even finding someone to discuss that with as well. And before long we've rebuilt the ecosystem of our faith and our wildlife is flourishing and thriving again. In what is the holiday season for many, let's make sure we set some time aside to grow our faith and reignite our passion for God. And as always, let's keep the faith.
August Services
6th August - 10am @ St. John the Evangelist, Littlewick Green
Parish Communion - a gathering of everyone in our parish to share in our Communion together with some traditional hymns and familiar prayers.
13th August - 11:30am @ St. James-the-Less, Stubbings
Pimms and Hymns - an opportunity to sing some of our favourite songs, to hear a bit about them and to share in some Pimms! Please send us your hymn/song requests along with why you would like it.
20th August - 10am @ St. Mary the Virgin, Hurley
Riverside Service - We gather on the Riverside to worship in the great outdoors. Come and join with us to celebrate the beauty of our world as we join in Communion.
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.
Walking Group
Monday 14th August is the next walking group. Please contact Joleen (at Littlewick) or Ros (at Stubbings) for more information about venue and timing.
Tea or Coffee
I am always happy to pop round (or have you over to the Vicarage) if you would like a chat. It is easy to think "The Vicar is too busy!" but if there is something on your mind which you would like to talk over with me I am happy to listen and spend some time reflecting with you. So please always feel free to drop me a line.
Next Week's Newsletter
Please be aware there will be no newsletter next week. I am on annual leave and will be writing one again in a couple of weeks. So do please join us on either of the next two Sundays and remember to come along for Hymns and Pimms which promises to be good fun!
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