RECTOR’S LETTER

Dear Friends and Parishioners,
This is a medieval Prayer for the Journey…

‘Here I am and forth I must,
And in Jesus Christ is all my trust.
No wicked thing do me any harm, Neither here nor elleswhere.
The Father with me, the Son with me, The Holy Ghost, and the Trinity,
Be betwixt my ghostly enemy and me.

In the name of the Father and the Son
And the Holy Ghost, Amen.’ Anonymous

It’s like a nice tidy parcel packed with faith, hope and determination; and like all nice parcels it needs to be opened, used, consumed or worn. Every age has its problems, some worse than others. What never changes is human folly, occasional sharp, persistent nastiness and the wonderful capacity for kindness and self-sacrifice. And have you noticed that the rats in the nest never have a sense of humour?

Autumn and Winter have their delights. I’ve always savoured October, a time for me mostly of new beginnings: new terms, new posts, new places to live; and often very sunny. What could be better? We need gentle newness now, the faith, hope and determination to plant new things, begin new kindnesses and to heartily participate in the grand divine plan to make all things new.

May Almighty God bless and keep all who live, work, enjoy and travel through our lovely parishes. May He bring you Autumn Glory.

Yours truly, Ian Whittle,
The Rectory, Langham 01328 830246

Seek the Lord
Seek the Lord, and in his ways persever.

O faint not, but as eagles fly;

For his steep hill is high;
Then striving gain the top, and triumph ever.

When with glory there thy brows are crowned, New joys so shall abound in thee,
Such sights thy soul shall see,

That worldly thoughts shall by their beams be drowned.

Farewell, World, thou mass of mere confusion, False light, with many shadows dimmed, Old witch, with new foils trimmed,

Thou deadly sleep of soul, and charmed illusion.

I the King will seek, of kings adored; Spring of light, tree of grace and bliss, Whose fruit so sovereign is

That all who taste it are from death restored.

Thomas Campion 1567 – 1620