#333: the name of a very small and unthreatening beast

Morning all- Bertie is now officially the size of a small planet as his pilgrimage through the cheeses of the West Country continues and he has texted me to ask me if I can get permission from the Diocese to increase the size of his mousehole so he will be able to move back in again when he comes home. The DAC are not taking our application very seriously at all- although we have finally found a crane large enough to lift him back into the Churchyard. (That is a slow-burn joke which will make sense when the crane actually arrives on the building site next to the Church in September to build the retirement flats).

Reminders of what’s going on…

Meditation Group tomorrow: 1.15pm in Church

Funeral of Ted Bosher- Wed at 1pm, led by All Sts but at St Paul’s

Sunday morning- 9.30, 10 and 11

Bag Blessing for the start of the new School Year and return of J-Club and the Choir- September the 4th

Ride and Stride, for which we need people to open the Church as well as people to, well, ride and, well, stride- September the 10th

Parish Retreat Day at Winnersh, led by Cara- September the 24th

(Do please see email 331 for full details of the above, available in your inbox and through the website).

And in other news…

Christine Field emailed this to Bertie, following on from where the bus started in #332…

Dear Bertie,

Have you ever visited the Hindu temple at Neasden? The most beautiful building in that part of the world, which was built with raw materials all sent from differing parts of the world Teak from India Marble from Italy. The community there does sterling work with the needy and the young in particular and might even find a little cheese I suspect for a tiny church mouse,

Well worth a visit,

Christine

And this is from Mary Cassidy…

The August draw took place at St Paul’s over coffee after Mass on Sunday 14 August 2022.

The lucky winners were:-

£50        No. 19           Jane Creasy

£25        No. 98           Keith Mintern

£15        No. 41           David Ruddock

£10        No. 44           Lesley Ruddock

The Draw is a simple way of raising funds for repairs and renewals to the church building. One share (number) costs £24 per year and the draw takes place monthly (either at St Nicholas’s or St Paul’s) for prizes of £50, £25, £15, and £10. All remaining funds go to the Restoration Fund.

If you would like to subscribe, or want further information, please contact Tony Roberts (979 5351), Liz Gallagher (989 1176) or Mary Cassidy (979 5096) – or in person at church (Mary at St Paul’s, Tony or Liz at St Nicholas’).

And Mary also sent this article, entitled Love vs the mess…

Love vs. the Mess – Ignatian Spirituality

And finally… whatever you’re doing this week, have a great week. If you like the heat then enjoy the last day of it- if you need the rain then enjoy dancing in it tomorrow. If you like space then enjoy the slowness of the holidays, and if you like busyness then use the slower pace to visit someone from Church, or clear part of the churchyard, or do something you have been meaning to for ages. This August does feels like a spacious and gentle gift. Let’s relish it.

Richard