You may remember the Music Hall song -

Our complication was not losing our way, rather that Olney High Street was completely blocked by traffic following the closure of the south bound M1 - and then it rained. Worst of all, we had rather a lot of home to pack into the van and rather a little home to unpack it into at the other end. We thought we had done quite a good job of clearing out-but take my tip-don’t go from being a two garage family into being a no garage family. Where do put all the things you haven't used for nigh on twenty years but might just come in useful sometime? Like several pairs of crutches and at least two unused bookcases. We still have one big problem to solve. After ruthlessly clearing our cupboards and wardrobes, where are we gong to store the rather large number of winter coats still living at The Rectory? (some nearly as old as their owners).

I was reminded of the verses from Luke’s gospel when John the Baptist says to the crowds ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none’ Well, certainly, various charitable establishments around and about Turvey have benefitted from what I believe is called our ‘down-sizing’ (please note, the house is downsized, sadly the effort of moving seems to have had the opposite effect on at least one of the inhabitants).

But worrying about where to store possessions has been rather an embarrassment when taken in the context of recent world news. The floods in Pakistan and other natural disasters remind me how ephemeral our life is—and how useless is all our planning and scheming to surround ourselves with symbols of status and security. It is like the man in the parable who built himself ever bigger barns to store his wealth—and died before he cold enjoy it.

Truth to tell, I have rather enjoyed freeing myself from a lot more of my possessions than I intended - it is a liberating experience. I am not sure that I have quite the courage of the two ‘Gentlemen of the Road’ I met on their way into the village last week who had only a small roll of essential possession each, but I do hope I can be more willing to trust the future to God and not try to cling so closely to the false security of ‘things’.

Yours in Christ

Jo

All who are homeless and have nothing

Those affected by the flooding in Pakistan and all who are working there to bring help and relief

Young people starting new jobs or leaving home for University for the first time

I have this week received a cheque for a little over £23,000 from the solicitors dealing with Len’s estate. How typical that he should think of leaving a percentage share of his estate to the church he loved and served all his life. I have a photograph of him, with the church key, on the mantelpiece in the vestry—just to remind myself that it never really was ‘my’ vestry. It didn’t seem to matter how hard I tried to keep at least one drawer of the filing cabinet and desk free from odd screws or bits of machinery, they always found their way back. But how we miss him still! Thank you Len!

Jo Spray

If you have any containers suitable for planting Christmas bulbs or outdoor spring arrangements please leave them at the back of the church or contact Pat Cartwright or Gill Betts. Bulbs need to be planted soon, it’s only three months to the Christmas Bazaar!

Fear builds walls; love builds bridges

Author unknown

Please, we need a few more volunteers to join our prayer rota. You can either write your own prayers or I have a book I can lend with over 300 prayers already written for you. There is lots of help. If you feel you would like to take part please contact Cindy Woods on 01234 888849.

The next coffee morning will be at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, 11th September at 52 Oakley Road, Bromham, by kind invitation of Roger and Marilyn Eaton. If you need transport, please phone Anne Claypole White 881661. There will be a bring-and-buy, and a raffle, for which contributions, especially of cakes and produce, would be very welcome.

Our Harvest Thanksgiving Services this year are on Saturday 26th September. It is actually a fourth Sunday, but our main Eucharist will be at 11:00 am—there will be Choral evensong at 6:00pm, followed by The Harvest Supper in the Village Hall. Please put the date in your diary—more details later!

We shall again offer Harvest Boxes for sale, with the opportunity to give your box to Behar—the shelter for the homeless in Bedford. The Bishop’s Charity this year is Aid to Uganda where they have been suffering both drought and floods. The proceeds from the sale of goods will support people in Uganda.

Relax and Enjoy an Evening with Flowers, Tuesday 14th September, 7.30pm at All Saints, Turvey.

An evening for everyone to come and enjoy flowers, whilst learning how to arrange a display using a simple selection of greenery and flowers. The evening is for both beginners and experienced flower arrangers, male, female, young and not so young. In fact we hope that there will be something for everyone! An opportunity to come and share ideas, have fun and be creative. There will be demonstrations by professional and experienced flower arrangers. Learn how to make cut flowers last longer and take away ideas that you can also use at home. There will be an opportunity to work on an arrangement for those who would like to do so, with practical help at hand for anyone who would like support. Please bring a pair of secateurs. Light refreshments will be provided, for which a small donation will be gratefully accepted. If you think that you may have suitable greenery or flowers in your garden which you are willing to donate for the evening or you would like more information, please contact Jacqui Darrington 881566 or Anne Claypole-White 881661

Come and vote for your favourite. Coffee and Croissants, tea and cakes are served in All Saints Church Odell 10:00am until 1:00 pm. Cream teas and other refreshments served in the Village Hall from 1:00pm until 5pm.

Cancer Support

Feel good be part of the world’s biggest coffee morning. Please join us on 24th September in Turvey Village Hall from 9:30 –12 noon. Raffle and stalls. So do please come along and support us. If you cannot make it donations welcome.