And so to 2024! A number of comments from people over the last few weeks have confirmed my thinking about our arrival into 2024 – how on earth did we get here so soon!

Like many people I’m sure, I’m left wondering about what happened to 2023 – it just seemed to go so fast! It was a very busy year in all respects – events and services, both inside and outside the Parish, catching up (still!) with some Covid-19 postponed weddings, School, Deanery and Diocesan meetings and events, summer fairs and, of course, the annual Royal Cheshire Show. And did I mention the Diocesan Vision process – “Casting the net wide?” Perhaps we all need to slow down a bit in 2024, and try to be more conscious of the passing of time – I’ll mention this to Bishop Mark when I next see him!

January brings with it a number of services which speak very powerfully to us in this country parish, and as part of the wider Christian community in this country and across the world, starting with the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th (which we’ll be celebrating a day later on Sunday 7th ) and which marks the close of the 12 days of Christmas. The visit of the Wise Men, or Magi, to the infant Messiah in the manger in Bethlehem marks a very significant moment in our faith story, and seems all the more poignant at the moment given the awful suffering and sorrow of both Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land, where peace seems as far away now as it was at the beginning of October. Part of the collection at the Carol Service in December will be going to the UNHCR for its Gaza Appeal, and our prayers are with all those affected by the violence and suffering.

A week later, on Sunday 14th , we will be holding our annual Plough Service, which focuses our attention once again on our local farming community and our relationship with the land and its cultivation, and its preservation. In this respect it has been a great pleasure, over the last few months, to have been reading the contributions (Parish Magazine) of local farmer Paul Gerrard, whose family have a very strong connection with the Church, and whose wise words and timely and interesting reflections are greatly appreciated.

January also plays host in the liturgical calendar to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, from 18th to the 25th , when we are all called upon to pray for better and closer relationships between the different Christian denominations across our Diocese and world. Please watch this space for news of any special events or services to mark this important week in the life of the Church, which we in this Parish will be remembering at the Evensong Service at Arley Chapel on Sunday 21st .

May God bless each one of us as we begin this New Year in His service.