News in brief...
- Check
for their 'most wanted' page -
St Margaret's Benefice is currently in a period of Interregnum.
"Interregnum? I thought that was when Charles I was removed from his head?"
Well, yes, it was, but it is also the term used in the Church of England for when a parish no longer has a licenced priest. Our wonderful Reverend Diane retired Autumn last year, and so we are embarking on the process of finding a new incumbent. In the mean time, we are extremely lucky to have a number of retired clergy (ie are no longer licenced to a particular parish) living in the village and surrounding area, who will be taking services that require an ordained minister. Take a look on our Clergy page to see who they are. - We're trying our best to help occupy our youngsters - see what they've been up to here.
- We are aiming to have the Parish News back up in production ready for the October edition - if there is anything you would like to submit, please drop it into the box in the Village Shop or email it to stmparishmag@gmail.com
- For more news, go to our News... page. I know, it's seamless!
Looking Out...
THE RULE OF 6 - from Monday 14th September, a maximum of 6 people can meet indoors or outdoors
(excepting education, youth groups, work, weddings and funerals). Church services are unaffected by this change. It's a little unnerving, and it is uncertain how long this new restriction will last. Yet we have to take heart that the numbers reporting new infections is a fraction of what we had back at the height of the pandemic. We are a very adaptable species. Things on a practical level seem to be easier towork with, than the emotional rollercoaster that surprises with ups and downs multiple times a day. We have one constant, one ever present 'still, small voice of calm' that carries us through all times. So when you're pushing the shopping trolley of life and it's full and heavy, and the wheels all want to go in different directions, just ask the Big Chap walking next to you to push it for a while while you decide what it is on the list that you really need. He's always there to carry the load, you only have to ask.
Moria - a tragedy happened on Lesbos, when the largest refugee camp in Greece burnt to the ground. 13,000 refugees are left without shelter, without anything. How much pain can such desperate people take?
A reminder - if you want to attend a service at St Margaret's, please call Sandy on 852265 to reserve your place as numbers have to be limited. No pre-booking is required at St Augustine's and they can safely accommodate 20-25 people.
If you are in need of something uplifting this morning, click here.
Coronavirus regulations and guidlines are changing - that doesn't mean it's gone away. Make yourself aware of what applies to you and how your actions can inadvertantly affect others. It's going to be a long haul. And for goodness sake, take your rubbish home with you.
The world's worst humanitarian crisis is happening the Yemen - war, famine, aid supplies stopped because of Covid-19 border closures, a healthcare system collapsed with the added pressure of coronavirus. UNICEF and other international aid organisations are striving to intervene in this catastrophe. If you've saved a few pounds a week from not being able to get that coffee, maybe you could find a charity that would really appreciate it right now?
28,000 people - Councils report nearly 5 times as many rough sleepers in 2018 than the official government figures, as a Freedom of Information request from the councils discovered. The government pledge to "fight the scourge of homelessness". How about we fight the scourge of the causes of homelessness, and maybe that would make a difference? Sweeping people off the streets doesn't solve the problem, it takes it from under our noses - the BBC have a pertinent report on their website right now, you can find it if you click here.
1.6million food parcels issued by Trussell Trust Food Banks in 2018 - that's up from 41,000 in 2010. I'll just let that sink in.
Saw this... 
...thought it was kind of lovely.