the
church : revd jo's letter : june 2007
added 13/05/07
I was asked recently whether I ever had any weddings in my churches. Nowadays, of course, many couples elect to get married at a hotel or country house which will also provide the reception and accommodation for any guests travelling long distances. This makes the practicalities much easier. Others opt for a sunshine wedding on a Caribbean beach and, of course, the Register Office is still the choice of many. But I’m glad to say that tradition lives on in the Bythams, where a marriage in which God plays a part is still the choice of many couples. This summer we shall marry William Howe and Victoria Ball, Sarah Bradshaw and James Rainbow, Louise Cooper and Ian Burris, Emma Huntsman and Chris Isaac at Careby, and Nick Green and Yvonne Ross at Castle Bytham. I mentioned Stephen Barratt and Rachael Dobson last month, and apologise for the inaccuracies in recording their names. Since then we have heard that our PCC secretary at Castle Bytham, James Rees, and Koleh Siame are to be married at St. George’s Stamford in July. We remember all of them in our prayers on Sundays, and wish them all much happiness.
The summer produces Baptisms, too; over the next few weeks we shall baptise Thea Williams, Raife Brownlow and Harry and Oliver Lee. We welcome all four little ones into the family of God’s church.
I often feel that village characters are a thing of the past. I suppose this is partly due to increased mobility, and the inevitable drift of our young people into the towns and cities, where characters are less obvious. We buried Pat Caulton last month, and she was most certainly a character. She is remembered for never missing a wedding, funeral or baptism, whether she knew those concerned or not. In addition she was grandmother to 54 – what an achievement. He passing makes the village that bit less colourful, and we extend our sympathies to her family. Pat’s granddaughter, Leanne, wrote a lovely tribute to her, which I read at the funeral service.
If we lack village characters, we certainly don’t lack committed fund-raisers. The Oakham School concert at Careby raised a tremendous sum for the church, and I am very grateful to those who worked so tirelessly to provide a wonderful supper and to stage the concert and tidy up afterwards. The Sponsored Ride on Bank Holiday Monday was a great success, too, and several of the Careby stalwarts were to be seen again helping at Grimsthorpe. The churches benefit from a share of the profits, and again, I am very grateful to those whose unstinting efforts make this possible. I would also add that I was the lucky and delighted winner of the Pepperidge Plants assorted Lavenders, which now look wonderful in a very dry border in my garden. Many thanks to Pepperidge Plants and all the other very generous donors of prizes.
Many of our young people are in the midst of important exams., and we remember them in our prayers, asking that they will be strengthened and supported through this stressful time. We remember, too, those who will be moving on to university or college, and those who will be embarking on gap year travel or starting work. All these offer many temptations and anxieties for the young people and for their parents, and we pray that they will be guided and kept safe.
With every good wish
Jo |