Dear Friends,
It is exactly a year since we moved to Turvey and I feel I really can call you friends!
It has been a wonderful year and I have learnt a lot – not least how to navigate round Milton Keynes and to get (nearly) to the place where I want to be. Bedford is still a bit of a mystery! Rob and I both love driving through country lanes instead of sitting in town traffic jams and I don’t think I shall ever get tired of the early morning drive to market in Olney on Thursdays. We have also enjoyed the walks around Turvey – and further afield – this is truly a beautiful part of the country.
I have also learnt to appreciate the different rhythm of the services at Church. I found it a nightmare at the beginning, trying to remember which Sunday was which, and what was needed for the different services. There have been some great highlights – Harvest, Remembrance Sunday, Christingle, Christmas and Easter, of course, and Mothering Sunday. I have particularly enjoyed the Sundays where we have had baptisms in the main Sunday service. The Church really comes alive when it is full of people of all ages.
Our new family service is generally well attended and it is a joy to share a Eucharist once a month with the residents of the Barton Homes. It would be easy now to sit back and say ‘aren’t we doing well?’ But there is no room for complacency. Even on the Sundays when our Church is full, we have only about 12% of the village population in Church.
At our first meeting, the members of the Parochial Church Council told me of their hopes and aspirations for our Church. One of these was to attract more young people and families. The village is full of children who seem really to enjoy their visits from school to Church – equally, I enjoy going into school to take assemblies and to talk to the children. So where do we go from here? How do we make every Sunday into a Harvest or a Christingle? Or do we just give thanks for the number of people who do come once or twice throughout the year? Certainly I should hate them to stop coming all together.
Please will you give this prayerful thought in the next few weeks? And thank you from us both for a very good and happy year.
Yours in Christ,
Jo Spray
Please pray for …
peace in the Middle East.
all who are on holiday, that they may return refreshed.
all who are struggling to come to terms with difficulties in their lives.
Richard Midgley and Jo Petty, to be married here on 9th August.
Readers
We have an excellent group of ‘readers’ who take turns in reading the lesson at the Sunday services. It is possible, however, that there may be some of you sitting in the pews who would love to read occasionally. The Communion Service allows for three lessons, one from the Old Testament, one from the Epistles, and one from the Gospel. At present we just read two, but I should very much like to introduce the third reading. If you are interested in reading in Church, please let me know.
Jo Spray.
Confirmation Classes
I have noticed that there are a number of adults and ‘older young people’ who have not been confirmed. I am delighted that they come to the altar for a blessing, but I wonder if they have considered confirmation? I should very much like to start a class for older members of the congregation, which may or may not lead to confirmation – if you think you may be interested, please see me or telephone (01234) 881312. Jo Spray.
Bishop’s Visit
The Rt Revd Richard Inwood, our new Bishop of Bedford, has accepted an invitation to preside and preach at our Parish Eucharist on Sunday 20th July. We are hoping to have a Bring and Share lunch afterwards so that as many people as possible have chance to speak to the Bishop. Please try to keep the date so that the Church is full – and if you can, sign the list at the back of Church about the lunch.
Coffee Mornings
The next coffee morning will be at 10.15a.m. on Saturday July 12th at Tina and Steve Machan's house, 46,Wenning Lane, Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes. There are maps at the back of the church to show how to get there, so please take one. If you need transport, please contact Anne Claypole White (881661). There will be a raffle and a bring and buy stall, contributions for which will be very welcome.
A very big thank you to everyone who helped to make Jim and Margaret Lacey's coffee morning such a success. We all enjoyed being in their lovely garden and the event raised £479 towards church funds - must be a record?!
Light Lights
Monday 7th July, 2.30pm, in Church.
Monday 4th August, 3 - 5pm: Come and swim / play / picnic, by kind invitation of Anne Claypole White of 'Homelands', High Street, Turvey. Picnic provided. All very welcome, especially newcomers.