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'All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.'

Some rather random rummaging on one of my bookshelves last week turned up a little book I had completely forgotten I owned – “The Wisdom of Julian of Norwich”.

She was a fascinating character living around the turn of the 15th Century, during the time of the terrifying pandemic often referred to as the Black Death, the Peasants’ Revolt against the Poll Tax led by Wat Tyler and the rise and subsequent aggressive suppression of the Lollards – English fore-runners of the 16th Century Reformation inspired on the Continent by Luther and Calvin.

Turbulent and unsettling times in this country and across the Channel.  

Julian was distressed by the turmoil and suffering she saw around her; she became an anchoress.  You may be more familiar with the masculine “anchorite” – someone who elects to be “anchored” to a single dwelling for the duration of their life, to spend their time in solitary prayer and contemplation.

When Julian was “30 years and a half” she suffered an illness so severe that she was thought to have died; on her apparently miraculous recovery she revealed that she had been privileged with a graphic vision – I think she would feel “experience” to be a more accurate word – of the agony of Jesus on the Cross, followed by his Resurrection.  She called this a “Shewing” and wrote an immediate account of it (now known as the “Short Text”) followed ‘twenty yere saue thre monthys’ later by the much expanded “Long Text”– having spent the intervening time in her Norwich cell, meditating on, and trying to extract, the deeper meaning of the event.

During her life of seclusion, she achieved a number of “firsts” – an accolade in which I feel she would have been profoundly uninterested – being the first recorded English woman mystic, and perhaps more significantly for later generations such as ourselves, the first woman to write a book in English (or at least the first whose writing has survived).  At the time, Latin and not English, was the accepted language of literacy and scholarship.  She was also daring enough – at a time when deviation from the accepted norms of Catholicism was a serious offence – to write of God as Mother as well as Father: “Our Saviour is our true Mother in whom we are endlessly born and out of whom we shall never come.”

We don’t know whether Julian was sufficiently educated to write her books herself, or whether she dictated them – but her work is full of inspiring and quotable quotes which have a habit of lodging themselves in the mind and heart.  Here are a few more for you to take into the weekend (and beyond) with you:

“See that I am God. See that I am in everything. See that I do everything. See that I have never stopped ordering my works, nor ever shall, eternally.”

“...we need to fall, and we need to be aware of it; for if we did not fall, we should not know how weak and wretched we are of ourselves, nor should we know our Maker's marvellous love so fully...”

“God is everything that is good. All life’s pleasures and comforts are sacramental; they are God’s hands touching us.”

“We are made exactly as God wants us to be. We only need to lift our minds above Earth’s empty sorrows so that we can rejoice in the Divine joy.”

And finally – a prayer that we can all try to share: 
“God, of thy goodness, give me Thyself; for Thou art enough for me . . .”

Jenny

Food for thought

Despite the popular narrative of religion’s decline in the West, a recent survey offers hope for churches struggling to stay relevant. The study challenges the idea that faith is fading and provides insights for churches looking to reconnect with younger generations.

Commissioned by author Christopher Glasson ahead of his book The Devils' Gospels: Finding God in Four Great Atheist Books, the survey of 10,000 Britons explored their views on religion. The findings show that while young people may not be attending traditional church services, they are spiritually open and seeking something more meaningful.

One key takeaway from the survey is that young people, especially those under 25, are not as likely to identify as atheists. Only 13% of this age group consider themselves atheists, and a significant 62% describe themselves as “very” or “fairly” spiritual. In contrast, 25% of Generation X (ages 45-60) identify as atheists, suggesting that while traditional religion may be on the decline, spirituality is far from dead among younger generations.

Glasson warned that the survey revealed a significant gap between how the church defines spirituality and how young people understand it. Many young people feel disconnected from the institution of the church, often due to past scandals and the church’s perceived irrelevance to their daily struggles. Nearly half of Christians surveyed (43%) said they have a personal understanding of God, which differs from traditional church teachings. How can we listen more to the spiritual needs of younger generations and connect with them?

Young people also want churches to be more involved in their local communities. About a third of respondents believe churches should focus on building relationships and supporting those in need. We demonstrate this by hosting community events, offering support groups, or being volunteer programs that address local issues such as food poverty or mental health but perhaps we need to be more intentional, promote these links more effectively and make it easier for young people to become involved. Moving beyond Sunday services and creating tangible connections will help foster a sense of belonging.

Transparency and accountability within the church are also critical for young people. More than 30% of survey respondents believe churches should address past issues of abuse with honesty and implement measures to prevent further harm. Small churches have an opportunity to create safe spaces where people can heal, seek forgiveness, and build trust.

Traditional religious practices may not appeal to younger generations, but many are still searching for spiritual meaning, often through mindfulness, nature, or personal reflection. We could consider offering alternative spiritual practices, such as meditation groups, outdoor prayer sessions, or mindfulness workshops to provide a modern way for young people to explore their faith while staying true to their spiritual journey.

We might also consider incorporating contemporary worship styles, like acoustic music or creative arts, which appeal more to younger people. Informal worship gatherings and opportunities for service-oriented missions could also help engage this generation. Additionally, with the right help, we could create online platforms for spiritual growth, such as virtual prayer meetings or podcasts, making faith more accessible.

In conclusion, while traditional Christianity faces challenges, there is an emotional and spiritual void many young people are eager to fill. We do have an opportunity to connect with this generation by listening to their spiritual needs, engaging with their communities, and embracing new forms of ministry. We have an opportunity to become places of hope and spiritual fulfillment for young people, helping them find deeper meaning and connection in today’s world. 

Recently we celebrated the festival of Candlemas, when we remember Mary and Joseph presenting the infant Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem.  It’s thought that the festival of Candlemas may have ‘Christianized’ a much earlier pagan festival, called Imbolc, which marks the mid-point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.  It’s not difficult to see why – the pagan festival celebrated the return of the light, the renewal of spring with its fertility and growth.  A sign of hope after the darkness of winter.  

And as Christians, we too can give thanks to God for what is occurring at this time of year in the natural world.  We can celebrate the certainty of the seasons turning, the excitement of new life emerging.  I admit that I never fail to get excited when I see the first tiny lambs wobbling around in the fields!  But the Christian celebration of Candlemas is about so much more than the return of light and lengthening days. When, in the gospel story, the old man Simeon takes the infant Jesus in his arms, he declares Jesus to be a light for revelation to the whole world!

But what is the Christ-child revealing to the world? The writer to the Colossians says of Jesus, ‘He is the image of the invisible God’ (Colossians 1.15).  In Jesus, God is revealing himself to us.  So it makes sense that if we want to know anything about God, a good place to start is by looking at Jesus, who declared himself to be the light of the world.  If we want to know what God has to say, we can listen to the words of Jesus.  If we want to know what God is like, and how God feels towards us, we can look at the actions of Jesus, how he loved people, and how he went to such great lengths to demonstrate that love.

Perhaps as we start to notice signs of life around us in the natural world, we can use what we see to reflect on God presence amongst us.  We can give thanks that after all has seemed dark and lifeless, there is light and hope.  Let the spring rains remind us of the water of life promised by Jesus, giving refreshment where we are weary.  As seeds begin to germinate and push up, we can dig into the soil of God’s word so that we can grow in faith.  Let the warmer breezes on our faces remind us that God’s spirit is always with us.  As we enjoy the daylight hours stretching out once more, let's allow the turning season to remind us again that the Christ-child is Emmanuel, God with us, the light of the world, not just for Christmas but for all time.  

Life Balance: A Five Session Course on Rest, Work, and Play!

In five interactive sessions, Life Balance aims to help groups explore: How to build Sabbath time into the crazy pressures of everyday life. How ‘Sabbath attitudes’ can transform the way we spend our time. 

Meeting weekly in the Vicarage 3 Elizabeth Gardens in Kintbury.

Start time 10am with optional coffee following at 11.30 am.

11th March

18th March

25th March

1st April

8th April

“The quality of mercy is not strained – it droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven . . “.  This is the opening of Portia’s famous speech in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.

Justice and mercy have been on my mind this last week, following the annual commemoration, in Kintbury Churchyard, of the execution of a young, uneducated, family man – William Winterbourne – sometimes called “the Kintbury martyr”.  He was hanged 194 years ago, almost certainly as an example to deter others, for his part in the agricultural uprisings known as the “Swing Riots”;

Living conditions for the rural poor had deteriorated sharply following the Act of Inclosure of 1773, whereby landowners were permitted to enclose common lands which for centuries had provided subsistence for “commoners” who had been allowed to graze animals, collect firewood. grow crops for their families and even live on allocated strips of land.

Impoverished labourers across the south of England were burning barns and smashing farm machinery in protest against starvation wages and loss of employment caused by the invention of the threshing machine.  William was one of these, and paid the ultimate penalty for his involvement.  I often wonder what became of his wife and family – the workhouse, I suspect.

Justice and mercy are twin threads running through the pages of the Bible, in both the Old and the New Testament.  An often quoted verse comes from the Book of Micah, probably dating to somewhere around 700BC “. . . what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” 

When I was reading, this Hebrew Prophet, with thoughts of William Winterbourne and his contemporaries fresh in my mind, I was struck as never before by these words in Chapter 2, which could have been written at any time in the 18th and 19th centuries in rural England:

“They covet fields and seize them,
And houses, and take them;
they oppress a man and his family,
a man and his inheritance.” Mic2.2.

Over two and a half thousand years ago in ancient Palestine – two hundred years ago in this part of our own green and pleasant land.  And today, as we look at the world around us – it can be hard not to feel that justice and mercy are all too frequently neither valued nor practised by governments and rulers. 

Jenny

Dear All

Next year all parishes will be required to prepare new electoral rolls before their APCMs. Everyone who wishes to remain on the electoral roll will need to reapply. It is a good opportunity to encourage new eligible parishioners to enrol so they can have a say in how their local church is run. 

In order to make enrolment as simple as possible early in January an envelope of enrolment forms will be pinned to the church notice board and a box left out to collect returns. The form will also be emailed out to our contacts which can be completed and returned by email or printed out. The rules permit electronic signatures, so it is sufficient for application forms to have a typed name where a signature is required if submitting from a personal email address. 

Thank you for your support.
Annette

Dear All
Just a gentle reminder that Isobel's next session on performance and voice coaching for the benefice is on 28th Jan at 2.30pm in St Mary's Church.  Do come along even if you are confident in your delivery in church. It is an opportunity to support and encourage each other. It is good to have feedback in a positive environment.
If you are interested in being involved in reading in church but want to 'have a go' before committing why not come and join us to see how it feels?  The last one was great fun.
Isobel has asked that we bring something like a short poem we enjoy reading to share.
Annette

Our two Labradors are now aged 9 and 10 years. Dave and I are conscious that they are becoming elderly in human years. We have started to look for signs that they are maturing. I can report that they show no signs.

Daisy still excitedly bounces in circles when she thinks she is going to be fed, and Yukki never slows down demanding a stint of ball throwing even when she has just returned from a long walk over Hungerford Common.  They chase up the stairs to take the best spot on the double bed or down it when they hear anyone opening a food cupboard in the kitchen. They behave like toddlers rolling around and play fighting when they are hungry, and Yuki snuggles up to Daisy to sleep with her nose tucked into her haunches as she did when she was a tiny puppy.

Just like Daisy and Yukki, many of us may find ourselves holding onto a youthful energy or excitement, even as time passes.

Aging is seen as a natural part of God’s design for life, one that invites us to embrace the changes, uncertainties, and challenges it brings with grace. The Bible speaks about aging in Psalm 92:14, where it says, “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” We may not always feel fresh and green, but I hope we all appreciate that there is value and purpose in every season of life.

My dogs continue to exhibit exuberance, their unwavering vitality a reminder that I am never too old to find joy, to be active in my relationships, and to share love.

The love and connection between them reflect the beauty of companionship and loyalty that can deepen with age and I witness so much of this happening in the community and in church. Christian teachings encourage us to be faithful and present for one another as we age and to find wonder in God.

In the end, the “weariness” we feel in the face of possible loss serves as a reminder of the fragility of life. Yet, as Christians, we are reminded that this is not the end but a transition to eternal life with God, where there are no more signs of aging, no more pain, and no more sadness. Until then, we are called to live each day with the same excitement, love, and joy that Daisy and Yuki show—celebrating the moments, knowing we are part of a greater story that God has written. 

Good Morning,

We have cancelled the 8:30am Service in Inkpen on Sunday (Tommorow) due to the weather conditions.

We have a service in Kintbury and West Woodhay later on in the Morning. 

12/01

8:30am Inkpen                             Holy Communion - BCP - CANCELLED

9:45am Kintbury                          Holy Communion - CW

11:15am West Woodhay           Morning Prayer
Kind Regards
Tamara 
07359 327072
Office Administrator
Walbury Beacon Benefice
Home - Walbury Beacon Benefice

My first Advent and Christmas in the benefice has been a real eye-opener.  I have been genuinely astonished to see our churches packed, the coming together of community, the excitement and anticipation of the children, the enthusiasm of the carol singing, not just on one occasion but repeatedly throughout the season.  We have heard the Christmas story told over and over again, in many different ways, with plenty to draw our attention to the real meaning of this festival.  It has been a time when this most incredible story, the arrival of Jesus Christ into our world, has been front and centre, and just for a while it has been quite normal to talk about God, beyond the confines of the church!  

I am writing this a few days into the New Year.  There is a sense now that the party is over, and we begin to look ahead.  January has a reputation for being a difficult month, in fact the third Monday of January has been dubbed ‘Blue Monday’, the most depressing day of the year.   Many are affected by the short daylight hours, the weather, reduced social interaction, and a whole host of other factors that affect mood and emotional well-being.  This Christmas I have been close to several friends for whom this time has been marked by painful loss, and for whom the New Year brings not excitement and optimism, but the long, hard journey of grief.  I am aware that for some, the celebrations will have felt remote, excluding, a painful reminder of things not being as they should be. The apostle Paul enjoins us to ‘mourn with those who mourn’ (Romans 12.15), and I have certainly found myself heavy-hearted at times these past few weeks.

At this time of year, we celebrate Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us’.  I believe it’s important that we remember that ‘God with us’ is far more than a nice warm feeling.  It does not depend on a consciously felt experience of God’s presence.  The Christmas story tells us that God is with us, as a fact.  The story we have heard throughout this season is a firm reality, it is a promise, and a hope, that transcends present circumstances.  Those who for now are not able to rejoice, to celebrate, need to know that there is no failure in this.  After all, Jesus himself wept when confronted with human pain and grief.   Our inability sometimes to raise our own spirits takes nothing away from the reality of God’s presence with us.  We need God’s grace, and the strength that only he can give.  As the psalmist wrote, ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me.’

In a few weeks we will be having the next of our healing services.  These services are an opportunity for us to come together quietly, to rest in God’s presence.  A time to allow some space to pray for God to meet us in our needs, and to ask him for strength to sustain us.  It’s also a time to bring prayers for people we know who are suffering or struggling, in mind, body or spirit.  It is for anyone - and everyone - who wants some time to simply be quiet, enjoy some stillness, and take part in some gentle worship.  The next service will be at 4pm on Sunday 19 January, at St Mary’s Kintbury, and all are most welcome.

Alison