Books, Bottles and Boots

February is that time of year where our most recent past comes back to haunt us. You won’t be alone if there is at least one New Year Resolution you have already broken just as easily as the seal on your Friday evening bottle of wine. Maybe that bottle was the end of your “Dryanuary”. Maybe that book you promised to read remains pristine on the shelf. Maybe those new walking boots have not yet been properly broken in. We all make ourselves promises. We all break them. The freshness and promise of January gives way to the banal reality of February. We are back to working too hard, rushing about with children, following our routines of caring or worrying about things we can’t control. New Year Resolutions have become less and less important to me over the years and not just because my only success was repeatedly failing to do what I promised I would. It’s more that, as I’ve investigated the Christian faith more deeply, I’ve realised more and more that every day is a new opportunity to make a change – it doesn’t need to be tied to a specific time of the year. The message of Jesus is that it’s never too late to call out to God. None of us is ever a hopeless case and none of the things which burden us is too insignificant for God. We believe that God really wants us to turn towards him and get to know him through his son, Jesus. February brings a new start for us in our village churches as Rev John Rennie formally retires. We will be without a vicar for some time while a replacement is found. Be patient with your churchwardens and PCCs as they take on the extra duties. The churches are still there for weddings and baptisms and, if needed, funerals. We are also still meeting, still praying, still worshipping. If you are “churchy” please keep coming - give us your support and don’t be afraid to offer to help. If you are not someone who is currently involved, why not come and join us at one of our services? You will be made very welcome. Now... where’s my gym kit?

Campbell Dye Churchwarden Stoke

Charity with Hunton