October 2024 Letter

God’s Great Banquet – Heaven on earth – The Big Party - based on Luke 14 

  I was in school this week talking to the children about the great big party that we are all invited to, God’s great big party in heaven.  God’s selfless generosity invites everyone to come to this party and I had a real sense as I stood on High Wych playing fields during the Scarecrow Festival, walked around the village and spent time in the church that what I was witnessing was a little bit of heaven on earth. I want you to imagine a time when we can all be together, all different ages, having fun, enjoying each other’s company where there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more sadness, no more heart break, just deep and pure joy.    

In the Lord’s prayer we ask for;  ‘God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven’ and we, every now and then, are granted a glimpse of this.  As I sat at the Scarecrow Festival in the Jimmy’s tent with tired parents of small children and watched the joy that playdough, simple colouring and playing with duplo and other toys can bring, and looked at all the games that were provided for children and the new play ground, it filled me with joy that we had been able to bring this joy, not to mention the joy of scarecrows to look at, mini beasts and bugs to marvel at in the church and great music to listen to and friends to chat with.  What a great weekend and my heartfelt thanks goes out to all that played a part in making this possible.    

As with all things, we also look forward to what Sept/October still has to offer us as a Benefice, again all opportunities for us to come together as a community.    

1                    Jimmy’s baby and toddler group 1st birthday party 

2                    Jim’s café session at The Coffee Lounge in High Wych every Monday 4.00 – 5.00 pm for new Year 7 students (see flyer) 

3                    We will have our new Family Service at St Botolph’s on 22nd September at 11.15 am (see flyer). 

4                    Our Harvest Service at St James will be at 9.30 on 29th September 2024.  This year we will be supporting the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal - Thrive:                           Nutrition and Sustainable Agriculture in Sri Lanka in partnership with The Leprosy Mission. The Appeal will support a project which helps                                  families affected by leprosy to start their own vegetable gardens. The project brings people together for community meals to learn about                                nutrition and break down the stigma against people with leprosy.  The money raised will provide plants, seeds, coconut trees and tools so that                        families can grow their own food and build a sustainable income and will also support community meals.  All money raised at this service will                          be sent to the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal.
  5                   After the service on the 29th September we are inviting you all to our post Scarecrow community feedback and thank you brunch at 10.45 am,                         where we hope you will join us for an opportunity to discuss the triumphs etc, of the Scarecrow Festival and afterwards for simple, wholesome food and drink to celebrate the harvest (see flyer). 

6                    Later that day we will also have our Harvest Service at St Mary’s Gilston at 6.00 pm followed by a yummy evening supper in the church. 7                    Our Family service at St James is on 6th October, starting with breakfast at 9.30 am (see flyer) 

8                    As we move into October we have a Community Dog Walk from St Mary’s at 2.30 pm on 13th October 2024 (see flyer). 

9                    A churchyard tidy up at St Botolph’s on Saturday 19th October at 2.00 pm (see flyer). 

10                You may also want to ‘save the date’ for Sunday 3rd November as this will be our All Soul’s service this year at St James at 4.00 pm.    

These are all opportunities for us to come together as a community to bear witness to those ‘heaven on earth’ moments and to know that God has a plan for each one of us. ‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:1.  

My question I leave you with today is this:- Are you going to accept the invitation to God’s Great Banquet?  If you want to talk about this with me give me a ring and we will find time to chat together.    

Every blessing Your Priest Alison  

Online prayer sessions - Tuesday mornings at 9.30 am – link below  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84557900182?pwd=MDhIR2ZBSFc4RXdxWW4zL3FJRGx0dz09 Meeting ID: 845 5790 0182   Passcode: 640464  

Grants

The following websites gives details of grants that they may be able to apply for if the increasing cost of living is causing problems. 

You simply put in your postcode and it lists available grants in that area. https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/ 

Are you on a low income do check to see if you might be eligible for Council Tax support. https://www.eastherts.gov.uk/benefits-and-financial-support/council-tax-support  
 
And a reminder if anybody living in a property in bands A-D has yet to apply for their £150.00 energy rebate from the Council then now is the time to get that done too. https://www.eastherts.gov.uk/governments-ps150-payment-towards-energy-bills