July's topic is refugees, and you can find the Bishop's article HERE.
September 2023Dear Friends,A few weeks ago after Church, someone asked me a question I had never really thought about before and that was if I could actually be there in any of the Gospel passages which one would I choose? I had to stop and think for a moment but said I would like to have been there when Mary Magdalene recognised Jesus. I didn’t really think about why I had chosen that particular passage but I think it was because I have always struggled to understand how and why Mary didn’t recognise Jesus straight away, and that then poses other questions, was Jesus different? Was Mary Magdalene so overcome with grief that she really couldn’t see anything. There is also something for me about the fact that Jesus’ first resurrected appearance was to a woman. In Jesus’ day women were really not held in great esteem within society, it was very definitely a man’s world, so the fact that Jesus allowed himself to be recognised by a woman, before his disciples or before any of the religious leaders of the times, speaks volumes to me.After reflecting on that for some time I thought that the other Gospel passage I would have loved to have been present for was the feeding of the 5000. Not just because I would have loved to have seen how the miracle took place but because for me the crux of this story is the little boy who came forward and offered Jesus his packed lunch, his five loaves and two fishes and what Jesus was able to do with that because the boy offered them in the first place. I don’t know if you have ever really stopped to think about that but I am pretty certain that no-one other than a child would think to make that offering. We’re not told whether anyone else had food with them but they may have done and no doubt an adult would have used logic to explain away why they wouldn’t make such an offer, but for the child there is the need, so he offers what he has. And what he has is enough! Jesus takes it and multiplies it so that all are fed and there are 12 basketfuls of left overs.My prayer is that each one of us may be able to respond to God as that little child, offering him the little that we have and allowing him to use it and us to share his love and grace to the world.With my love and prayers Lynn
Everyone will be saddened by the news that one of our parishioners, Mark Woodward, known throughout the Ludlow area as "Mark the Cheese Man" has died after a long struggle with various health problems. Mark's cheese stall has been a feature of Ludlow Market for 30 years, and his cheery greetings and great kindness will be remembered with gratitude by many townsfolk. Over the years Mark did a lot of voluntary work, and was a particularly keen supporter of Riding for the Disabled. During the Covid lockdowns he did home deliveries of his lovely cheeses and other produce to those who could not go into town. Please remember Mark, his wife Wendy and their family in your prayers.
February 2023Those who helped to support St. Giles by buying the delicious marmalades made by Liz Woodall before Covid will be pleased to hear that she has started up production again. Full details of the scheme, and what preserves (and other goodies) will be available this year are HERE.
