RECTOR’S LETTER

Dear Friends and Parishioners,
After a long winter I thought we would never see sunshine again. I became quite accustomed to four jerseys and an overcoat – in the house! Now at last there is warmth, but we need rain! There are so many splendid things about living in Britain and Ireland, but also a few downsides.
This middle part of the year, though, comes with pleasure (and a huge amount of work if you farm). Despite soaring prices we can have new potatoes and gooseberries (not together); and there is music of all sorts. If you planned and planted well in Spring there is much to reward us. Tomatoes, rocket and lettuce in my kitchen garden, and even good-sized figs. I’ve planted so many roses here that even the house smells of them: masking me and the dogs.
Good foundations then, lead to good construction. That goes for the whole of life and for our faith. We did not lay the foundations of our Salvation. That was done for us. We did not begin to build from nothing. That too is given. What we can do is to learn the architecture, to ornament the building and make it our own. Buy, beg or steal a Bible, a Prayer Book and talk to the Almighty. He has a lot to say back, usually silently, but not always.
May I wish you a Splendid Summer, and a deep verdant richness.

Yours truly,

Ian Whittle

‘Lo, I am with you always’

Wide fields of corn along the valleys spread;
The rain and dew mature the swelling vine;
I see the Lord in multiplying bread;
I see him turning water into wine;
I see him working all the works divine
He wrought when Salemward his steps were led;
The selfsame miracles around him shine;
He feeds the famished; he revives the dead;
He pours the flood of light on darkened eyes;
He chases tears, diseases, fiends away;
His throne is raised upon these orient skies;
His footstool is the pave whereon we pray.
Ah, tell me not of Christ in Paradise,
For he is all around us here today.

John Charles Earle (1849 -1903)