Litchborough Churches and Village Newsletter June 2019 nd 2 June starts Sunday Teas in the Church November 2014 th th 5 & 27 June - Walking Group 10th June – 2nd Monday Club 11th June - YOUTH CLUB MEETING 14th June - Litchborough Ladies Any articles, information, notices, personal messages rd 23 June - Garden Club Visit etc you would like in the newsletter, please send to th me by email by the 20 of th 7 July Playing Field Summer Fete the month to:- [email protected] or Litchborough Playtime - Village Hall telephone 830077 to have Every Tuesday 9.30 am – 11.30 am hard copy collected Thank You See inside for more information Sandy Aked-Walker Printed by G.T Print Litchborough 07889-948005 RECTOR’S RAMBLINGS The season of Easter is almost over, and what a wonderful Easter Day it was; the weather was good, and in each of our five churches the joy of the Resurrection was marked in joyful praise and with large congregations- it was a truly joyous day. Elsewhere in this magazine David has also written about the ‘Sunrise Communion’ at Maidford. I wish as we sat before the service, waiting to see who would appear, I had a camera with me, (or at least remembered to charge my phone!) to photograph the inside of the church and the way the sun streaming through the East window shone over the High Altar and onto the large crucifix set up in the chancel. We had placed the crucifix there on ‘Good Friday’ as part of the Good Friday Service and had dressed it in the symbols of the crucifixion- the nails, the crown of thorns etc. By Easter day, the crucifix had been redressed with flowers in place of nails, a garland of flowers in place of the crown of thorns, all symbolising ‘new life’ which is at the heart of the Easter message, that from the darkness of death, shone the new light of life. In the coming weeks the Christian Church celebrates another great festival, the festival of Pentecost, (or Whitsunday) which marks the gift of the Holy Spirit to the disciples and the birth of the Church, again a time of rejoicing and celebration. Traditionally there would have been Whitsunday festivals, walks and parties around the parishes and the communities would come together again in joyful celebration. In Derbyshire there was, and in some parts there still is, the tradition of ‘Well dressing’, when the wells in villages the common source of water so necessary for existence, would be dressed with flowers to highlight the importance of water as a vital sustenance of life. Today we might take the availability of water very much for granted, but without it nothing can grow, nothing can live, nothing can flourish. So it is with the Christian life, the Church cannot function without the gift of the Holy Spirit, that unseen power of God that breathes through it sustains it and empowers it. In the Book of Common Prayer, there is a wonderful prayer, the Collect for the 19th Sunday after Trinity, which runs: “O God forasmuch as without thee, we are not able to please thee, mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts. Through Jesus Christ our Lord”. So as we look forward to, to warmer weather, and hopefully a flaming June. Let us also hope that the power of the Holy Spirit may,(in all things), inflame our hearts with love, joy and peace. Fr. Tim READER’S RUMBLINGS The Easter Sunrise Service and Lessons from Scripture Litchborough Walking Group Then Jesus said to his disciples; “Let us go back to Judea.” But the Our walks are fairly local and varied. They take up a morning and are disciples replied; “But Rabbi, a short while ago the Jews tried to stone usually 4 to 5 miles in length. Please come and give us a try, you will be you and yet you want to go back there!” ….. But Thomas, known as made very welcome. Didymus, said to the rest of the disciples; “Let us also go that we may die What a month for walking. Blue skies, sunshine and the most wonderful with him.” year for bluebells! Yes, time again to do a bluebell walk and, after setting When the Rector told the gathering of the PCC that this year the Easter out from Farthingstone, our arrival at Everdon Stubbs did not disappoint. Day service would be a Sunrise Service and that it would be at 8am there We enjoyed the company of an Austrian visitor on our May walks and she was silence. Then; “But last year we had the evening Vigil Service.” and was awestruck with the carpet of blue throughout the woods, a sight “But what about families with children?” and “Why can’t we have a normal she’d never seen before. Our second walk began at Everdon , took us Easter Day service?” and … so on. Then a lone voice; “Well, let us try it. around Snorscombe and through Mantles Heath -the very different Until we try it we won’t know what it is like.” woodland to the Stubbs offering welcome shade on another beautiful hot A King prepared a wedding feast for his son and invited many guests. day. When the feast had been prepared he sent his servants to summon the Walking dates for June guests. But they all alike began to make excuses; “I have just bought a Wednesday 5th June field and I must visit it – please excuse me.” and “I have just bought five yoke of oxen and I must go and try them – please excuse me.” and … so Thursday 27th June on. Then the King sent his servants out into the country lanes and told - we will be leaving the village hall at 9.45 am as usual them to invite anyone that they could find so that the wedding hall might Walk details to be confirmed. be full.” Transport will probably be needed for the short drive to the starting Then came the excuses; “We have family, friends and property elsewhere point for the walk. If some walkers are happy to bring cars to the hall, and we must visit them – so unfortunately we shall be away for Easter.” we can, as usual, share transport as required. For walk information and and “In view of Brexit we must make a last visit to France – just in case, any questions please get in touch with Bernard or Lindsey. you know. So unfortunately we shall also be away for Easter – please Lindsey 01327 830318 or e mail [email protected] excuse us.” and … so on. Bernard 01327 830932 or e mail on [email protected] “O ye of little faith!” ******* At 7:30am on Easter Morning the Rector and Reader, both robed, sat in an empty church and contemplated the empty tomb – the Aumbry was St Martin’s Brass Cleaning & Flower Rota for June open and empty. Together they wondered if anyone would come, and if so, June 2nd - Patricia Sykes how many. One thought three might come, the other thought four. Then June 9th & 16th - . Christine Rodhouse just a few minutes before 8am they began to arrive. They came alone, in June 23rd & 30th - Liz Robinson pairs and in families. They came from neighbouring villages and from ******* outlying homesteads. A grandmother came with her daughter and granddaughter, aged five, and whose name, appropriately, was Martha War Memorial Flowers – for June and who insisted on wearing her Sunday dress. And on a glorious Spring th 8 June - General Brock School Vancouver morning it was a joy to hear their voices fill the church; “Alleluia, Christ th 15 June – Carol Hakin is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia.” nd 22 June – Isla Whitcroft Amen th 29 June - Poppy Rickerd Reader David Church Cleaning June From St Martins Church 27th May & 3rd June – Carol and Nigel Gunter We have this month had a Benefice Eucharist in Adstone, a Family 10th & 17th June – Val Hartley & Christine Rodhouse Service, Holy Communion and Matins, quite a variety! 24th June & 1st July – Juliet O’Neil & Catherine Cook The ashes of Dorothy Elliot were interred in the Garden of ********* Remembrance on 17th May. The stone was removed for the inscription of names and cleaned up at the same time. Christine attended the Archdeacon’s Visitation in Northampton and has Litchborough Gardening Club will be visiting a number of been sworn in as Churchwarden for the coming year. The service as ever gardens over the Spring and Summer: was inspiring with Bishop Donald leading the service, having specially Sunday 23rd June - Oxford Botanic Gardens and Arboretum . The requested the privilege. Patricia is attending the service in Peterborough. oldest botanic garden in the UK (founded in 1621 as a physic garden The churchyard wall has been repaired and looks as good as new. growing plants for medicinal research). Today it contains over 6,000 A team of ringers rang a quarter peal on Saturday 4th May. different plant species on 4.5 acres. It is one of the most diverse yet 1 Richard M Hartley compact collections in the world. Oxford Botanic Garden occupies a 2 William Henderson world-class position in terms of its history and academic location. 3 Christine Rodhouse(C) Harcourt Arboretum (acquired by the University in 1947) is set within 4 Jonathan Stuart 130 acres of historic picturesque landscape. 5 Martin W Bull Hidcote (National Trust), Manor Garden Gloucestershire Sunday July First inside for William. Rung to celebrate the retirement of Jonathon. 21st near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire.