The Rev Keith Nicholls has retired after 11 years of service to the parish. During the Vacancy the Rev John Ainslie is providing pastoral support. Please note that due to Covid-19 many activities and services listed are not taking place -but we are ready and waiting to re-open activities just as soon as we are allowed to do so.
Welcome to the Parish of Burchetts Green's website. We are a welcoming community based around three local churches. We hope you will find this a useful introduction to our activities
Fr John's newsletter is distributed weekly by email and previous Sunday services are available to watch via YouTube . The churchwardens of St James the Less, Stubbings and St John the Evangelist, Littlewick Green also distribute a regular news update for their individual churches.
Each church has its own worshipping and social life but we join together for the monthly Parish Service and for a wide variety of social, practical and learning groups.
Whether you're just browsing, or looking for a place to worship, we are happy you have found us. Do come and join us at one of our groups or services. You will be made very welcome.
Sunday 13th June - 2nd Sunday after Trinity Dear Friends, welcome to this week’s Newsletter for all our friends and neighbours of Burchetts Green Parish.
Whatever the pressures of your daily life, I hope you have found the time and space to enjoy some of the lovely weather we are having; to rest awhile amidst the beauty of nature in our fields, hedgerows and gardens, and to thank God for his goodness. Being fully alive in the present moment and being attentive and observant of all that ‘is’ in that moment is a great skill to cultivate; one that enhances our appreciation of the little things that are so important – perhaps just a gesture of love – and helps us to notice and empathise with what is going on in the lives of those around us.
In our Gospel reading this week (Mark 4: 26-34) Jesus likens the kingdom of God to the growth of a mustard seed. With his usual exaggerated emphasis, Jesus says a mustard seed is the smallest and most insignificant of seeds, yet it grows into the greatest of all shrubs, so large that birds make their nests in its shade (or in its branches, as Matthew’s version of this saying has it). There is an emphasis on growth and abundance, and on its all being down to the creative work of God rather than having its origin in what we have done, much less what we deserve.
For much of the summer months and into the autumn, the liturgical colour used in our churches is green – ‘green for growth’ I always think. Having celebrated Easter and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we now look for the signs of God’s kingdom growing in our own lives and in the life of the world around us. It is all God’s creative work in us. Let us take time to notice that, and – like iron filings in a magnetic field – align ourselves with it and allow God’s grace and his kingdom to grow within us.
Services this Sunday are:
8am Stubbings BCP Holy Communion 10.30am Hurley Eucharist (CW) 4pm Littlewick Green All Age Service
The following Sunday 20th June, there will be a CW Family Eucharist at Littlewick Green at 9.15am and a service of BCP Holy Communion at Stubbings at 11am.
Parish Office. Gilly, our Parish Administrator, leaves us today after 12 years loyal service. We wish her the very best for the future. The Parish Office is now open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.30 – 11.30am, manned by volunteers. Outside of these hours phone messages may be left, and any emails (to office@burchettsgreenparish.org ) will be dealt with when the office is next open.
I am taking a few days off on retreat during next week. If you urgently need a Priest during this time please contact the Parish Office (01628 820077, office@burchettsgreenparish.org or one of the Churchwardens.
Our churches are open for private prayer this week as follows:
St John’s Littlewick Green – open every day 11am – 4pm St Mary the Virgin Hurley – open every day 8am – 5pm
Tuesday time of Fellowship and Prayer on Zoom
There will be NO Tuesday Zoom this week.
Monday of this coming week marks the fourth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire. We remember those who lost their lives in that terrible tragedy, and we pray for those who mourn their loss and those who survived and still struggle to rebuild their lives and come to terms with what happened that day. We should repent as a Nation for the deficiencies in how we order our common life that enabled the tragedy to occur, and which still condemn hundreds or even thousands of families to continue living in unsafe housing, including tower blocks with precisely the same safety failures as at Grenfell.
For our Prayers:
We give thanks for those people, things and moments in time that give us pleasure and happiness.
For the leaders of the G7 countries meeting in Cornwall. For positive action on Covid vaccine roll-out across the world and on action to counter climate change.
For the UK Government as they face important decisions on whether (and how) to reduce lockdown measures.
For all affected by the Grenfell fire in 2017, for the Grenfell Inquiry and for lessons to be learnt and changes implemented, and for all who feel unsafe in their own homes or trapped in inadequate housing for whatever reason.
For those who seek to improve housing and welfare conditions for the poorest and most marginalised; for those who work with the homeless; for Maidenhead Foodshare and for those it supports; and that we may be more generous in our efforts to help those in need.
As the mental health effects of Covid lockdown become ever more apparent, we pray for those who are affected and for the adequate provision of mental health services.
For the selection and appointment of a new Vicar for Burchetts Green parish.
For any of our community in any kind of need, sickness or distress, especially those who are anxious for themselves or for a loved one, for the depressed, and for those in hospital through sickness or for planned operations.
We remember the recently departed and we pray for their families and friends, and all who mourn the loss of a loved one at this time.
Almighty God, who alone givest wisdom and understanding, Inspire we pray the minds of all those who bear responsibility for the government of nations. Give them the vision of your truth and justice, that by their counsels the nations of the world may work together in peace for the common good and for the relief of need and suffering everywhere. Amen.
I can be contacted on revjohnainslie@gmail.com and 01628 629827 (do leave a message on the confidential answering machine if I don’t answer). Emails to our Parish Office office@burchettsgreenparish.org are being monitored and responded to.
Keep safe, be gentle on yourself, and remember that with God by your side you need never be alone.
