Rectors Reflections - New Year

A New Year’s Resolution

You’ve probably already thought about your New Year resolution, but in case you haven’t, may I suggest one? The resolution is quite simple – to take a daily walk.

Nothing very exciting about that, you may well say. But why have I suggested this?

Well, of course, to start with, a bit of gentle physical exercise every day does us the world of good.

But there’s more to it than that. A walk is a great opportunity, in the midst of our busy lives, to find the space for some quality time with God. It might be that we walk with friends, or alone. In course of our walk, we might notice something beautiful, or meet someone we never expected to meet. We might meet no one at all, but somehow the process of walking has helped us to feel more at peace with ourselves and with the world.

The Bible is full of references to walking- sometimes these refer to a literal walk, and sometimes to a figurative walk. The Bible uses the metaphor of a walk in two main ways. The first way refers to how we interact with another person – how we “walk with them”. The second is a way about speaking about a lifestyle. When we go on a walk, we choose to go in a particular direction. Similarly, we choose how we are going to live our lives, the goal we’re aiming at - it might be the goal of helping someone else, or it might be the goal of pursuing our own selfish advantage.

The earliest reference to walking in the Bible is a reference to God Himself. The author of Genesis pictures God “walking” in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day. God later promises to His people, that he will “walk among them and be their God – a promise fulfilled in the life of Jesus. There is a wonderful story about Jesus meeting two disciples on a walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus - but the disciples don’t recognise him until the very end of the story!

Sometimes we think we’re walking through life alone. But we never walk alone, because God is always there with us. We might not recognise him, or even notice him. But he is there, our companion and friend, walking beside us through the good times and the bad.

Happy walking!

Fr Jason

Parenting Focus Group

Jenny Balshaw (815452) and Louise Butler (07837 009730) have gained their accreditation as parenting facilitators and are eager to make plans for 2012. If you are interested in joining a group at some stage please come and meet us for an initial discussion on Tuesday 24th January, 8pm at Barn End, 5 Upper Cross Lane, East Hagbourne.

Blewbury Action Group

is collecting during Advent for the Didcot Food Bank. Please, when you are shopping, get something for people suffering difficult financial times. All kinds of dried and tinned food is needed (list in December Bulletin) and a few Christmas treats like sweets and biscuits. The red tub will be in St Michael's church (north door) Blewbury from Advent Sunday until just before Christmas.

Home Communion over Christmas

Home Communion is available to anyone who is unable to get to church through sickness or frailty, either for a short time or on a long term basis. If you, or anyone you know, would like to receive Holy Communion at home over the Christmas period, please contact The Revd Louise Butler, 851011, or leave a message at the benefice office, 850267.

Prayer Diary

4th to 10th December

We ask you to pray for this group during
this week, especially remembering the
points that we have highlighted as
important to us.

Will you please pray with us for

God’s help with:

. Finding the words to spread the
good news or our Lord
. For all sections of our church to
liaise and communicate
effectively with each other
. To find the strength to say the
things that need to be said
. To find new ways of
communicating your love to
others through new technology

Reading for this week:

“Psalm 35 v 27”

“Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that
favour my righteous cause; yea, let them say
continually, let the Lord be magnified .....”

Please join us in our online prayer:

http://prayeratstandrews.blogspot.com/


Church and Community

11th to 17th December

We ask you to pray for this group during
this week, especially remembering the
points that we have highlighted as
important to us.

Will you please pray with us for

God’s help with:

. Support for our church leaders
. For lay people who have a
calling to work for our church
and community
. For Hagbourne School, the
village shop and places where
people gather together
. For the people of Liuli in
Tanzania

Reading for this week:

Philippians 1:9-11

And this I pray, that your love may
abound still more and more in
knowledge and all discernment, 10 that
you may approve the things that are
excellent, that you may be sincere and
without offense till the day of Christ, 11
being filled with the fruits of
righteousness which are by Jesus Christ,
to the glory and praise of God.


Inclusive and Diversity group

18th to 24rd December

We ask you to pray for this group during
this week, especially remembering the
points that we have highlighted as
important to us.

Will you please pray with us for

God’s help with:

. Support for people who sleep in
the streets
. For O’Hanlon House for the
homeless
. For those who are ill or disabled
. For those who will be alone at
Christmas
. For the crib service where
children will be joining us for a
nativity play

Reading for this week:

Luke 2: 10-14

And the Angel said “be not afraid; for
behold, I bring you good news of a great joy
which will come to all the people;



Prayer and Faith

25th - 31stDecember

We ask you to pray for this group during
this week, especially remembering the
points that we have highlighted as
important to us.

Will you please pray with us for

God’s help with:



. Friday Prayer Group
. That others may join our group
. That people may find our prayer
blog and join us in prayer
. For the time in our busy lives
and schedules to be still and
know our Lord, and talk to him
in prayer

Reading for this week:

Matthew 6:5-6

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be
like the hypocrites .... standing in the
synagogues and on the corners of the
streets, that they may be seen by men.
..... I say to you, they have their reward.
6 But you, when you pray, go into your
room, and when you have shut your
door, pray to your Father who is in the
secret place; and your Father who sees
in secret will reward you openly.”

Prayers and fellowship

is to be held every Friday morning at St Andrews' church, Hagbourne. It will start at 9.15am and should last approx 30 minutes and be followed by tea and biscuits and much chattering/discussion! This will be a chance for anyone to request someone or something to be prayed for. If you just feel the need to sit and/or join with us while we pray you will be very welcome to do so. We look forward to seeing you sometime.

Mothers' Union Eucharist

Churn Branch of the Mothers’ Union - Eucharist
On the 3rd Thursday of each month members are encouraged to attend the 10am Eucharist at St. Michael’s Blewbury. This will be followed by refreshments and discussion in the Benefice Centre. Hoping to see those who can make it this Thursday 15th December.

Pram Service

The CHURN Branch of the MU
The next Pram Service will be on Wednesday 4th January at 12.15pm in the Vale Room, Blewbury Village Hall. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME.
A sandwich lunch is provided by the Mothers Union after the service. This is a short Eucharist service ideal for pre-school children to bring parents, grandparents, carers to.

Mums Church Group

meets monthly helping us to grow in faith and share this in our families
Monday 19th December, 8pm at Barn End, 5 Upper Cross Lane East Hagbourne

Exploring Silence

On Tuesdays at 6pm in Upton Church (after Evening Prayer). Reflective music will lead us into a period of silent contemplative prayer; the whole session should last no longer than 30 minutes.

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