Sample text. Click to select the Text Element.

MAY 2024 Letter
 Walking for Dementia, and all good gifts around us   
As you all probably know by now I walk my dog, Bean every day, many of you have seen me out and about and always say ‘Hello’ which is lovely.  March saw me walking as I normally do but walking for Dementia UK as part of their fundraising campaign.  In March I walked 225 kms (I was asked by the charity to walk 100 km) which is the equivalent of 104 miles I think, and because of people’s generosity I raised £311 when I was hoping to raise £150.00.  So thank you to all those of you who sponsored me.  What I was doing was using something that I do anyway to benefit someone else.  This got me thinking about all the things that people in our villages do.  I have someone who very kindly gives people eggs because their chickens lay more eggs than they can eat.  People who give away fruit and vegetables because they have grown more than they can eat. There are people who give of their time and skills to keep our churchyards, open, mown and beautiful. There are people who like being with children who volunteer and help with our toddler group and we have a new team building for our new ministry, Wednesday Welcome (which will start on 1st May see ad), we very kindly have the gifts of Ali and Christine who pull all our parish magazine info together so that the rest of us can benefit by knowing what is happening around us, those who serve on the Village Hall Committee, the Parish Council etc, and so many more people giving of the gifts and talents that they have that they can use for the benefit of others.   

With all the uncertainty in the world at the moment with wars, and talks of retaliation which can be very unsettling, my heart is warmed by the goodness that is experienced in each one of our villages, where loving your neighbour really means something. I know also as we head towards the Scarecrow Festival, all sorts of gifts and skills will be called in to help with cake making, building scarecrows, building other things…barbeques, putting up marquees, setting up tables and chairs, painting, designing and Bee Aware…we are calling all knitters and crafters to help us (after our success with the knitted/sewn mice that overran St James, one of our church’s last year!!!!) The plan this year is to knit/craft mini bugs and patterns will be found at the back of St James church or you can get in touch with me and we can drop a pattern and wool round to you….but that is all in the future, but good to start early.   

For now let me tell you a little more about Wednesday Welcome.  The idea is that we are creating an opportunity for people to gather once a month for tea, cake and companionship and friendship at 2-32 Mabeys Walk in High Wych – CM21 0HN.  (Thanks to the generosity of our local housing association)  It is a beautifully decorated space with some new chairs, is lovely and warm with a great kitchen.  This invitation is extended to all our villages of High Wych, Allens Green, Gilston and Eastwick. Perhaps you would enjoy this for yourself, or have a neighbour or family member who would really appreciate this.  The first session will be on Wednesday 1st May 2024 from 2.00 – 4.00  pm.  Why not come along to the first one to help shape what this time together will look like – we thought music might be part of it, but if so, what sort, style etc, games, maybe but what games etc.  This time together will be shaped by the people who come to enjoy it and we hope to see many of you there.  There is no charge for this currently, but if you are able, you may want to give a small donation towards the freshly made cakes we will have every session.  If you want anymore information please contact me on revajacksonhwge@outlook.com 01279 790145 or mobile:0783 366 7707.    

So the message I want us all to hear today is that keep up this great work of helping your neighbour, of using the things that God has given you to share with others and above all know that we are all called to be children of God – that God loves each and every one of us – made in his image to love and care for the people and the world we live in.  Where we see love we see God. God’s greatest commands to us all are…   

  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest command. And the second is like it…Love your neighbour as yourself – everything hangs on these two commandments Matthew 22:37-40. May each day be filled with hope, love and care for each other.    

Every blessing Your Priest Alison