A dog is...........Rev'd Caroline asked how the phrase ended. 'Not just for Christmas' may be current; but how about the more timeless 'man's best friend'.And with that as a benchmark, and fully aware of this being dangerous ground, Rev'd Caroline drew the comparison with Jesus. Someone that loves us unconditionally, that listens to us without judgment, picks us up when we are down, is always glad to see us and walks by our side.A Teacher too. Being a pet owner teaches us about selflessness, doing right by our pets, experiencing love, understanding how much the environment depends on our actions and helping us learn about grief.With a great turn out and appropriate hymns to accompany us (and actions we could join in with - how would you illustrate an octopus!?) we all had a joyous time.Thank you Queen Victoria (aka Vicky), Phineas, Coco, Chester, Robert, Rabbit, Wabbit, and the gorilla Lady Alice (stuffed of course) to name but a few. Thank you Rev'd Caroline for taking the risk. Full newsletter is here
In addition to ringing our bells (along with churches across the country) for peace on 6th June we had a mark of remembrance at church on Sunday 9th June. We heard a poem read by some of the young members of our congregation (Georgina and William, Erin and Dexter, Alex and Imogen) and Graham Foden resplendent in his medals. And then the Last Post, a two minute silence and finally Taps. Poignant to the last; we will remember. The poem was The Tribute, copy is below
Graham was just the most perfect to lead us in our Rogation Service. He led us round the local area (thank you to Fiona Brown for facilitating) and stopped us at key points to share his knowledge of farming techniques through the ages (think Caleb with a collar!), lend his ear for the rhythm of the farming year, explain the challenging economics of farming and its susceptibility to climate change and all overlaid and underpinned with the grace to accept that it is only thanks to God's blessing that it is made possible, and we take that for granted at our peril..We here in Donnington sometimes forget how close we are to the food chain - bagged silage on the farm was on its way to local dairy farmers to feed cattle which would produce milk being sold to M&S and make Caroline's ice cream on Chalder Farm. We were blessed this glorious morning to remember this and celebrate, give thanks and pray that is can continue.A copy of the narrative behind our footsteps is below.
