We owe a big ‘thank you’ to all those who made last weekend so special in our church life:

To Penelope Kellie and her team for hosting the splendid evening St Mary’s, Easton on Friday evening, when over a hundred people enjoyed listening to James Ekins speak about the Suez Crisis in 1956, and especially to James himself for giving a phenomenal lecture—full of personal insight and historical wisdom. It was truly a ‘historic’ event in the annals of Easton.

To Judy Bishop for masterminding the ‘Coffee Morning with a difference’ on Saturday morning, and to Roger Booth for coming to teach many of us how to rings the church bells or to use the hand-bells—it sounds like quite a few are going to be coming back for more!

To Nicky Barber for her thoughtful talk at Sunday morning’s Valley Worship on Jesus the Good Shepherd (recording available below)  and to David Parker with his musical band, along with Chris Ellis and Richard Ritche on the sound desk, who so enhanced our musical worship.

And, finally, to Lesley Ann Ritchie for her planning and then leading our Sunday afternoon Service of Prayer for Christian Unity, when St John’s Itchen Abbas hosted a congregation of 30 for a special time of praying for God’s world. It was so good then to have an extended time of conversation over tea, as Methodists, Anglicans and Roman Catholics all enjoyed each other’s company—a great example of ecumenical friendship within Christ’s Church.

It was indeed a memorable weekend—showing the rich variety of things we can do together within our church Family, even in the depth of a freezing winter.

Speaking of which, I look forward to being in the warm atmosphere of St John’s, Itchen Abbas during the lunch hour today: so do pop by from 12.30pm if you would like a warm drink or an informal chat with the Rector!

With love and prayers

Revd Peter