Vicar's Bit For November
Three special Sundays in November
Safeguarding Sunday is on November 1st.
Our Safeguarding Sunday service takes place this year 11am on 1st November at Ashleworth Church. An opportunity to reflect and build safer communities.
This year, the theme is ‘Love Protects’, rooted in St Paul’s phrase in 1 Corinthians 13 which reminds us that “love always protects” (NIV). Safeguarding isn’t bureaucracy. It is a Christian act of love. Safeguarding is protecting those in our care. It is not a ‘thing to do’ done from a sense of duty; it is instinctive. As a parent protects a child, so safeguarding is what love does. Along with us being patient and kind to the most vulnerable.
Throughout Scripture, God consistently shows special concern for those most at risk:
- the child (Matthew 18:6)
- the widow (James 1:27)
- the foreigner (Leviticus 19:33-34)
- the fatherless (Psalm 82:3)
God pays attention to those who need protection, and if we're serious about following Him, then so must we. There are no loopholes. His love protects everyone, and so should ours.
We are doing our best to create a safeguarding culture here. When we see that such care reflects God’s love, it all begins to make sense. Come along to our Benefice service on the 1st November at Ashleworth Church. Our parish safeguarding officers will be taking part.
Remembrance Sunday is on November 8th.
As we have services in four villages on Remembrance Sunday, it is an opportunity to invite guest ministers to support us.
- Hartpury Church hold a short Remembrance Sunday service at 10am with Canon Michael Butler, who then joins local representatives at 10.45am at Hartpury’s Broad Street War Memorial.
- Revd Jean Herrick is once more leading the 10.45am service at Tirley Church. We are grateful to her.
- John Stilwell, a Primary Quest teacher, has planned with the Uniform Groups a talk to give at the 10.45am at Staunton Church, a service I am leading. To hear young people’s voices reflecting for us on Remembrance Sunday is a real encouragement.
- We are delighted to have this year Canon Mike Parsons leading the 10.45am Remembrance Sunday service at Maisemore Church.
Advent Sunday is on November 29th. The beginning of the church year.
We are holding a 11am Benefice Advent Day Communion at Staunton Church at the end of November (a fifth Sunday) rather than having a Benefice Service on the first Sunday in December. Corse Church are holding their Carols by Candlelight at 6pm on November 29th.