General Chat

Ages since we have had a baptism in our church. Must have been last summer, and had no idea who the parents were and didn't recognise the guests either. But a lot of traditional valley people have moved away and tend to come back for christenings and make a family day of it.

My children were baptised in North Wales and we lived in Cambridge when they were born.

I was very pleased to hear that kandj and Cynthia are blessed in their churches by baptisms. At the very least, the parents and godparents are reminded of their responsibilities to the infant and everyone enters into a church and can hopefully see how ordinary and welcoming we all are.

Our service yesterday was led by a steward. She did remarkably well, I thought. Luke Chapter 2 and around verse 36 was the text and I hate to admit this - but I was totally unfamiliar with the passage. It was about a very godly 84 year old in the Temple in Jerusalem, Anna :-D :-D

We have Baptism services every two weeks and usually after the Sunday morning service unless the family ask for this to be included along with Holy Communion which is a rare but very special event.

Tomorrow there will be a Confirmation Group led by our new Rector, which is very exciting as it is several years since our church has held such an important meeting.

Some grumbles yesterday about the introduction on new up-beat hymns chosen by the Rector. Hey ho, church life is never boring! One minute everybody happy to have a new Rector and just 3 months later criticisms and discontent. Of course our church has to change but this isn't going to be easy when we are mostly elderly and traditionalist by nature. I think we need to be still and listen for a while.

When God speaks to us, His words bring great peace, and we know that if we follow Him, then we are placing our future in His hands.

As John Greenleaf Whittier so aptly wrote:-

Breathe through the heats of our desire, thy coolness and thy balm,
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire,
Speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
O still small voice of calm, O still small voice of calm.

Good morning. :-)

How I so agree with you kandj.......church life is never boring! It rather sounds as though the 'honeymoon period' for your Rector has now ended. I do hope that she doesn't become too perturbed by it as it a very common occurrence. She will never be able to please everyone bless her but it is often better for everyone, if changes come gradually.

We have similar problems at the moment after the death of our incumbent. Whilst I feel that the diocese appointed a priest-in-charge too quickly, I also feel sorry for the man. He has only been ordained about 9 years and now has charge of two churches, a chapel and involved in three schools. To take on our church which is the liveliest of them all under such sad circumstances must give him a headache.

There are lots of undercurrents whilst people take on new responsibilities and they are now understanding just how much our late incumbent did, and how hard he worked.


Maybe today is a 'hug' day........ :-)



There are hugs that say I like you . . .
And I hold your friendship dear.

There are hugs that say "Good Going,"
You deserve a great big cheer!

There are hugs that say "Goodbye,"
Good luck in all that lies ahead.

There are hugs that say "I love you"
When no other words are said.

There are hugs that soothe and say to us . . .
"You're free from cares and harms."

The kind of hug we feel
When God holds us within His arms.

~ Anonymous




Cx :-)

Loving the above words Cynthia,..... and sharing a hug with everyone today.

Here's a little hug for you
To make you smile, when you feel blue
To make you happy if you're sad
To let you know...... life ain't so bad!

Now I've given a hug to you,
Somehow, I feel much better too!
Hugs are better when you share,
So pass one on, and show you care!

Thinking especially of Sylvia and many others who are struggling today.

thank you all for your thoughts and prayers


just an update ..............


we are in the last few days of s-i-l's life, I think

She is in no pain (well medicated), but she has not eaten for about 10 days, and is now asleep most of the time.

OH desperately wants to go to her Memorial, which will be held as soon after she dies as possible ................... but it looks as though I might not get there.


my daughter is now sick, and in hospital, so I may have to go over there.



take care everyone



s
xx

My sis-i-l died about an hour ago, very peacefully but suddenly.

They are hoping to hold the Memorial on either Friday or Saturday, but will know more tomorrow (Wednesday)

OH will get on a plane as soon as we know the timing ................. I might be going to my daughter instead


RIP Daf
xxx

Good morning everyone.


Sylvia, I am so very sorry to hear about the death of your sister-in-law. I know that you were close to her in many ways and this will come as such a loss to the whole family.

I am sending ((hugs)) and, because there is little I can say to ease the pain right now, I will just post some words which, your sister-in-law as a cleric, will have used many times before. Thinking of you......


For all who mourn......


Support us, O Lord,
all the day long of this troublous life,
until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes,
the busy world is hushed,
the fever of life is over
and our work is done.
Then, Lord, in your mercy grant us a safe lodging,
a holy rest, and peace at the last;
through Christ our Lord.

Amen.


Grant us, Lord,
the wisdom and the grace
to use aright the time
that is left to us on earth.
Lead us to repent of our sins,
the evil we have done
and the good we have not done;
and strengthen us to follow the steps of your Son,
in the way that leads to the fullness of eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.


Cx

I was so sorry to hear news of your sil, yet happy for her and pleased that you shared, Sylvia. My prayers for your OH and others as they gather for the funeral, and my prayers for you as you minister to your daughter at her time of need.

I opened my Bible this morning to look for a suitable reading and the first passage I glanced at was this one, where Jesus explains eternal paradise to the Jewish leaders of his day:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death into life." (John Chapter 5 verse 24)

We will all be judged one day soon by Jesus - no one will escape that certainty. Are any of us ready yet to be judged?

I was so sorry to hear of the death of your s-i-l and the illness of your daughter. Stay strong - you have a lot to cope with at the moment.

My thoughts are with you

Vera

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad,
stressful time.

Emma

thank you all xxxx

Awwww Sylvia .....I didn't see your post until now. God bless <3

I've just seen your post Sylvia, i am really sorry to hear your sad news xx

Thoughts and prayers are with you Sylvia and your family. Your sister in law is at peace now after her years of ministry to others. May she Rest In Peace.
Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou unto the joy of the Lord.
( Matt 25:21)

I am sorry that your daughter is ill and I hope that the hospital will take good care of her. Gentle hugs for you today. xx

Thank you Susan and RR, and everyone on here xxxx



The Memorial is on Friday, we are going up there tomorrow and returning on Saturday.

Then we are going to the daughter's on Sunday on one way tickets, as we don't know how long she will want us.



so expect me when you see me.



take care everyone



s
xx

Sylvia <3

Good morning my friends........I hope you are all well. I am sure we will be continuing to uphold Sylvia and her family in our prayers at this very difficult time for them all. We also remember any others, known to us personally, who are going through dark days at the moment. <3



Some thoughtful words for today :

Open The Rose

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of GOD’s design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so sweetly,
When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of GOD’s design,
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?

So I’ll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of every day.
I will look to Him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,
Only my heavenly Father knows.
I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.



Take care.... Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia. I echo your words and pray now for all in need of help and support

What a lovely thought yesterday, Cynthia. I have not read your post till this morning, as I was charging round Hampshire yesterday helping my son (and heir to my vast estates;-)) buy a rather swish sports car. Very tiring day and my thoughts were on acres of shiny metal and wet tarmac almost all day :-( :-( :-(

To think of a rose bud this morning was exactly what I needed. It is one thing I have really neglected, I feel. To see the glories of God's creation in nature, as my life has rushed by. To see the different flowers in their intricacy and meditate on their glory. "Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings...." :-) :-) :-) :-)

Good morning........I hope you are all well. We continue to think of, and pray for, all those who are in any kind of need.


One for the ladies today - don't know what the men think!! :-)


BEAUTY TIPS!

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years -only grows!


-Sam Levenson


Have a good day Cx :-)