September, for many, is a time of fresh starts. Many youngsters will be starting school for the first time; others will be moving up to different schools; others starting again in a new class. Some will soon be heading off to college or University for the first time. For the rest of us, the holidays are probably be behind us, and we look forward to whatever autumn will bring - another fresh start after 18 months of Covid, with restrictions now relaxed and growing confidence to resume things we've longed to do for many months.
September marks another fresh start across our villages, as we welcome Rev'd Oliver Strange as our minister in charge of our group of parish churches. It's been 16 years since Richard Rendall, our last Rector, was appointed, so following his retirement our congregations will be wanting, with Oliver, to consider how this 'fresh start' might look for our churches. And this is fitting, as 'fresh start' is the bread-and-butter of the Christian Gospel. The Gospel is all about starting afresh - leaving behind old ways, finding life and hope in new. But as much as a fresh start, it's also about a second chance - to find our way back into relationship with the God who created us. As St Paul put it, 'forgetting what is behind, and straining towards what is ahead, we press on .... to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward'. A fresh start indeed - and open to all.
Rev'd Dr Stephen Blake, Associate Minister