We are coming into the season of Remembering. We will mark All Saints, All Souls and Remembrance Sunday in the coming weeks. It is a time when we take some time to pause in our life’s journey and remember those close to us who have died and give thanks for those family and friends who continue to love and support us.

As many of you know I did not receive my knee operation as planned, and I will have to wait for a little while longer now. However, that did give me some time to think about my life as husband, son, brother and priest. I wonder how often you get the opportunity to do the same. I was delighted to take a few days to seek a deepening of my preaching practice by attending the Cambridge Festival of Preaching. It was a wonderful time of being with a group (300 or more) fellow preachers and exchanging ideas and views and listening to some of the most renowned preachers in the Church today. I came away from the festival with copious notes, more new books, and ideas for our Benefice Advent Bible Exploration (more to come!). I was also reinvigorated in my faith through the words I heard and the worship that I received.

During the time away Jayne and I visited Winchester Cathedral, where we were fortunate enough to take a tour of the crypt, which is often submerged. In the crypt is a statue named “Sounds II.” During the rainy months, the mysterious sculpture can often be found holding water in its cupped hands, silent in contemplation as the level rises around him to cover the stone floor. I took to thinking how often I might take to contemplate my faith, reflect on my growth and my service to God and to you. The answer probably not quite enough; that might be the case for you too. In the coming month, as we wait for Advent and all that will entail, let’s take the time to stop, think and give thanks. Blessings. Reverend Al.