Vicars letter

June 2021

Click for the Vicars letter from May 2021

A bit more normality returns

Here we are, the start of the sixth month of the year, and it feels like we might be, at last, approaching a bit of normality. In one way, I hope that we will not rush headlong back to exactly how things used to be, when most people were far, far too busy and had forgotten to look after the most important thing in life: our relationships with one another; but it will be so good to get back to some of the normal things - the things we took so much for granted before the pandemic.

By the time you read this we will have already marked the occasions of the Ascension and Pentecost in the church year; we have started going back into the primary school and are conducting weekly collective worship outside - all together, and with singing; we have restarted our midweek Communion service; I hope that bell ringing will have recommenced and be heard across the village once more; and come the middle of the month we will rekindle Cakes and Chaos, our Friday morning toddler group.

We are planning for our first weddings in church, and I am thoroughly enjoying conducting marriage preparation with couples once again. By the time you read this I also hope that we will have some guidance of when we can return to congregational singing in our services - something we have all missed so much - and that we will have guidance on how we might be able to consider everyone taking Communion if they wish to (oh for that wonderful day to return), and in Sandhurst, the afterschool club, Blend, has also begun again. Normality!

Another exciting piece of news: we are going to be trialling a community choir. The Rhythm of Life choir is being set up by Carla Smith and will be held on a Thursday morning, 10-11.30am, in St George’s Church, starting on 24 June. If you are interested and would like to book a place, please contact Carla for more information on 07743 430797.

June is, of course, the time when we usually have the village fete in support of St George’s. Rightly, I believe, the decision was taken many months ago to postpone the fete for three months, so we have 18 September to really look forward to, when we can come together as a community and have fun on The Green. Put the date in your diary - and don’t be away!

Speaking of being away, we will soon be having some time with our family up in Scotland. To say we are looking forward to that would be an understatement and I hope you are managing to return to these normal, family things, too. Just don’t not rush back into taking these special times with family and friends for granted.

Revd David Commander, Rector

T: 01580 240658 E: david@dc-uk.co.uk