The Dever

we can see the Model Aircraft area and the Drone Zone (well -away from the Light Aircraft). Our route takes us through wild flowers of the chalk grassland, and its butterfly population including the Blues. Light aircraft and Gyrocopters will be taking off and landing having travelled from all over the country, the Channel Islands, the Continent, and perhaps even greater distances. The area is EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS come prepared for the weather.

DOGS welcome but MUST be on leads and it is essential to clear up after them. Thank you

At the end of the walk we can relax at the café which provides an excellent selection of soft drinks, snacks and light meals. Checkout their facebook page www.facebook.com/Pophamairfieldcafe/

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Suggested donation £5. Children free.

Dever Valley Contacts

Vicar Rev'd Robert Rees

07590 909811

Benefice Co-ordinator Clare Fancourt coordinator.upperdever@hotmail.com

Church Wardens

St. Mary the Virgin Micheldever

Jan Mason 01962 774362

Juliet Pattinson 01962 774399

Holy Trinity Wonston

Sarah Hobhouse 01962 760003

St Margaret's South Wonston

Melinda Samms 01962 761036

Roger Keys 01962 881718

St Mary & St Michael Stoke Charity

Ruth Guy 01962 760259

All Saints’ East Stratton

Chris Hilling 01962 795134

Ed Beckwith 01962 774918

St James’ Hunton

Campbell Dye 01962 760001

St James’ Woodmancote

Linda Albin 01256 397616

Mary Wallis 01256 397271

Websites

St Mary the Virgin www.stmarysmicheldever.co.uk

Holy Trinity www.wonstonchurch.co.uk

The Dever

Jesus’s Answer to Fretfulness

Luke 10:38-42 is a great way to easing the fretfulness that can so easily overwhelm us.

Jesus during his ministry often acted in a way that shows he believed he was no ordinary teacher/rabbi and this self-consciousness runs like a thread throughout all his teaching. In Luke 10 he tells Martha to stop fussing about what needs doing in the kitchen, and to allow her sister Mary just to sit and listen to him.

At the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee service in St Paul’s Cathedral the Archbishop of York talked about how her faith in Jesus has been key in giving the Queen the strength and wisdom she has needed to keep her going during her long reign, and then he encouraged us all to follow her example.

Secondly, as I get near the end of my life, trusting In Jesus has taken away any fear of death. I came very close to death 13 years ago when I suffered a heart attack. Yet I have to say that throughout the whole process I felt held by God, enveloped by his peace. And thirdly, having Jesus in my life, seeking to focus more and more on living in obedience to his teaching, has given my life a value and a purpose that nothing else could ever give.

Editor:

Peter O’Keefe

07515 339279

1 Canada Cottages, Overton Road, Micheldever Station, SO21 3AN.

Email: editor@thedever.org

Printing:

Richard Vellacott and team

Annual Subscription January to December for 12 issues: £8.00; £15.00 by post.

Articles for September issue to be received by the editor before 15th August please.

Articles printed in The Dever are accepted ‘as is’ and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Editorial Team.

Treasurer:

Tony Patston 01962 795028

Subscriptions Enquiries & Distribution

Micheldever

Anby Dixon 07799 212586

Micheldever Station

Andy Adams

East of railway line 01962 774363

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West of railway line 01962 774956

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Olly Bramley 01962 774516

Woodmancote

Liz Hawkesworth 01256 397429

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So how can faith in Jesus help us cope with the fretfulness shown by Martha? Jesus gives us a clue in what he said to her: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I have to confess that Martha’s problem has been and continues to be at times something I really struggle with, and there is no question it has been my faith in Jesus and his teaching more than anything else that has helped me cope with the stresses of life.

First, it is hugely comforting quite simply to have someone to lean on. Jesus invites all those who are weary and heavy-laden to come to him, and consciously off-loading on to him, one by one, all the burdens and cares that this life throws on to our backs

Just before I suffered my heart attack I had been meditating on the last few verses of Psalm 73 which includes these words: “Whom have I in heaven but you, Lord? Earth has nothing I desire apart from you. My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.”

As I have reflected on this it seems to me that through my close encounter with death God was reminding me that this life offers me nothing compared to what he offers me. I believe he gave me the same message that he gave to Martha:

“ Mary your sister in choosing not to help you in the kitchen and instead in choosing to sit at my feet and listen to my teaching has made the better choice because nothing in this life, however important and however worthy, does not come close in value and importance to listening to me and my teaching.” Is He saying the same thing to you now?

Peter Russell August 2022