Special Christmas Services in your Parish Church and across the Benefice Sunday 8th December 2024 4pm in All Saints, Hundon – Carols by Candlelight Saturday 14th December 2024 6pm in St Peter & St Paul, Clare – Carols by Candlelight Sunday 15th December 2024 5pm in St Mary the Virgin, Cavendish – Carols by Candlelight Tuesday 17th December 2024 7pm in St John the Baptist, Stoke by Clare – Carols by Candlelight Friday 20th December 2024 6pm in St Mary the Virgin, Poslingford – Carols by Candlelight Tuesday 24th December 2024 (Christmas Eve) 2pm in St Peter & St Paul, Clare – Family Crib Service & Carols 3pm in All Saints, Hundon – Family Crib Service & Carols 4pm in St John the Baptist, Stoke by Clare – Family Crib Service & Carols 5pm in St Mary the Virgin, Cavendish – Family Crib Service & Carols 7pm in St Leonard, Wixoe – Carols by Candlelight 11.30pm in St Peter & St Paul, Clare – Midnight Mass Wednesday 25th December 2024 (Christmas Day) 9am in St John the Baptist, Stoke by Clare – Family Christmas Eucharist 11am in St Peter & St Paul, Clare – Family Christmas Eucharist
By the time that you read this, I will have already begun my extended sabbatical which starts on 1st September and runs until the 26th November. Sabbaticals are an important part of ministerial life, providing an opportunity for clergy to recharge their batteries, deepen their faith, and return to their ministry with renewed energy and focus. In the Church of England extended sabbaticals are granted by the bishop to parish priests once every 10 years (although because of COVID and a backlog of clergy waiting, I’ve had to wait almost 12 years for my turn to come around!) To facilitate this, I will be stepping back from the day-to-day responsibilities of parish and deanery life to focus on personal spiritual growth, study, and rest. During this time, I am planning to go back to my old Theological College in Oxford as well as travelling down to the archives of the Royal Asiatic Society (of which I am an elected Fellow) in London as I continue my research into Early Christianity in India. I will also be going to a monastery in Belgium for a retreat and then catching up with friends both here in the UK and in Germany. Finally, I will be spending some extended time in South India, visiting the churches and communities with the Apostle Thomas founded there, as well as meeting up with friends and former work colleagues from when I lived and worked in India. As you can imagine there has been much planning involved, but I am confident that the team of lay ministers and visiting clergy will ensure that the regular services in the Benefice will happen as usual. As a Benefice we are blessed with a wonderful Curate, The Revd Dr Karen Smith, who will be there for all your pastoral needs, including Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals. She is supported by The Revd Liz Paxton, an experienced and recently retired Parish Priest. (Should you need to contact Revd Karen, she can be reached on 07751 932408 or 01440 594036, or by email at drkarensmith@me.com) May I encourage you to use this time as an opportunity to deepen your own spiritual lives and to support one another. Please continue to pray for me as they embark on this journey of renewal, and also for the people I will meet and worship alongside in India. I look forward to returning back refreshed and inspired at the end of November - just in time for all the Christmas events and activities. May God’s peace and love be with you all. With love and blessings Mark The Revd Mark Woodrow (Rector)
The Olympic Games have captured the world’s imagination for centuries. Athletes from across the globe come together to compete in a spirit of friendship and fair play. While our church may not have a stadium or a medal ceremony, we too are engaged in a great spiritual race. Just as athletes train rigorously to achieve their goals, we as Christians are called to train our minds and hearts through prayer, Bible study, and service. Like the Olympic torch, which is passed from one runner to another, we are to share the light of Christ with those around us. At its best our church is like a team, working together towards a common goal: to build up the Kingdom of God. We have different strengths and talents, just like the athletes in different disciplines. Some are gifted teachers, others are skilled at hospitality, and still others excel at prayer or music. Whatever our role, we are all essential members of the team. The Olympics are a celebration of human achievement, but they also highlight the importance of perseverance, dedication, and overcoming obstacles. Our Christian journey is often filled with challenges, but with faith in God, we can overcome any hurdle. Just as athletes push themselves to their limits, we are called to strive for spiritual excellence. Just think about the story of David and Goliath. David, a young shepherd boy, who faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Yet, with courage and trust in God, he emerged victorious. With God, all things are possible. While medals and trophies are awarded to Olympic champions, our ultimate reward is the crown of life that awaits those who love the Lord. As we continue our spiritual race, let us encourage one another, support each other, and celebrate our victories, big or small. Just as the Olympics bring people together from different cultures and backgrounds, our church should be a place where people from all walks of life can come together in unity. Let us strive to be a welcoming community, where everyone feels valued and loved. So, let us embrace the spirit of the Olympics and apply it to our Christian lives. Let us train diligently, support our teammates, and persevere in our faith. Together, we can achieve great things for the Kingdom of God. With love and blessings Mark The Revd Mark Woodrow (Rector) P.S. If you haven’t visited the Poslingford Olympic Scarecrows yet I would encourage you to do so – they are wonderful and it was great that the church was able to host their building!
