Weekly Newsletter, Sunday 3rd September, 2023
Dear friends,
Isaiah 26:4 says“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is a rock for all ages.”
In life, there are many things we should and can be unsure about — but God's love is not one of them. He never wavers, He is always there. If there is anyone we should put our faith in, it's the Lord. That’s what we’re doing across all our churches as we begin this new term and there’s lots going on so we continue to trust in the Lord as we restart lots of things:
Prayer and Worship on Monday, Wednesday and Friday begins again on Monday 4th.
Our Toddler group ‘Tiddlers’ begins again this Thursday 7th from 9.30.
We’re planning for Cafe St Stephen’s to be open every Monday alongside the community post office.
Naomi and I are launching The Blessing course at the vicarage over the next few weeks.
We have a brand new family communion service at St Stephen’s this Sunday with communion for all ages.
A little further ahead with have our open gardens event on 17th September and our harvest festivals all happening at the end of the month on 24th with something for everyone! So in all these events and activities we trust in the Lord for his goodness, provision and joy! Come and join us.
Love
Grant
The Blessings Course
Discover how blessing releases the presence of God and freedom!
The Blessing's Course is a 7-week video based session which will be held at the Vicarage, Upper Basildon on Wednesday evenings beginning on 13th September for anyone in our Benefice. For more information contact Rev Grant 01491 671555 or grant@thebenefice.uk
WE STILL NEED HEDGE HELP!
We are still looking for a green fingered hedge lover, or a group for a rota to share the load, with some free time and suitable equipment, to trim the Beech hedge behind the War Memorial, in the St. Stephen’s car park.
It is quite pricey to maintain if allowed to grow past its current manageable height. It would be good to have it cut back, anytime from now onwards. But, if you would prefer to donate towards its maintenance that would be appreciated too.
If you can help in any way, please let Jo Eley know. Thank you.
SERVICEs THIS WEEKend
across the villages
See all upcoming events on our website
HArvest Festivals
As I am sure you’ll have seen, our wonderful local farmers have been very busy recently harvesting the fields. Some folks have been asking when we are celebrating Harvest this year and the answer is 24th September right across the whole benefice. We’ll have a celebration communion service at Ashampstead at 8.30am, followed by a Harvest themed bacon butty Sunday at Basildon. then we round the day off with a Harvest Evensong at Aldworth followed by homemade apple pies and local cider! I hope you can join us as we give thanks to God for his goodness and provision.