Bertie is still looking for his Jeeves [239]

Hello, chums. Bertie here. I had a bit of a crisis this morning because it turns out that I have accidentally put on navy blue socks with my smart black clogs which is, as you doubtless know, a fashion disaster. So, if any gentleman’s personal gentleman are in need of a new employer and don’t mind living in a small hole under the floorboards then please apply to the usual address. I must ask while I’m here… What kind of cheese does Medusa eat?

Gorgonzola, obviously.

And would a smoked cheese grow on a tree?

No, but an applewood.

On with the news…

Imminent Happenings

The 8am BCP Mass happens this Sunday (2nd of the month), which you’re welcome just to come along for. The 9.30 Mass will be taken by Gemma Donnell, who is currently the Curate at Finchampstead but is going to be installed as Rector of Moreton in Dorset in July. Richard is at Woosehill at 10am and it’s a warm welcome back to Roy Burgess at St Nick’s at 11. St Nick’s is the only Church you have to book for, but Woosehill also find it helpful to know how many chairs to get out.

Don’t forget the Easter Service of Hymns and Readings this coming Sunday evening at 6.15pm in the Churchyard at St Paul’s. Do please bring a garden chair or blanket to sit on, and warm clothes in case the weather is not entirely May-like.

The next meeting of the St P and St N PCC Standing Committee is on Monday night- do let Lesley or a Warden know if there is anything you would like to raise at that meeting, and do please pray for its focus and success.

Meditation Group Tuesday 11th May, 1.15-1.45pm.

We will finally be meeting back in St Paul’s Church again, but also on Zoom, for those who are not able to join us physically. You do not need to book a space, just bring yourself and your facemask! Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78195030350?pwd=bXFoeVhRSjF4TWVEbEM1OFdjWHI3QT09

Meeting ID: 781 9503 0350 Passcode: 98765

In discussion with Richard, we are also affiliating the group with the WCCM (www.wccm.org) and its UK branch (www.christianmeditation.org.uk).

The group will run as it has done, continuing to use John Main’s teachings on meditation. Others, beyond the parish, wishing to find a local group to join will be able to find us more easily.

Any questions, do email me. Susannah Riley meditationgroup@spauls.org.uk

Coming Soon-ish

Richard talked last week about the exciting Vaxjo Pilgrimage we are invited to join in with- here is the latest notice about it- if anyone would like to organise for a group to go along for a day or two then do please let him know- coming soon to a major river near you…

And it has been lovely to be sent some thank you notes this week- from the Foodbank– one for our Lent Collection and the other for the use of the Parish Rooms during the recent lockdown:

This beautiful poem is about St George– John sent it out a couple of weeks ago and I love it…

Hatley St. George by Malcolm Guite

Stand here a while and drink the silence in.

Where clear glass lets in living light to touch

And bless your eyes. A beech tree’s tender green

Shimmers beyond the window’s lucid arch.

You look across an absent sanctuary;

No walls or roof, just holy, open space,

Leading your gaze out to the fresh-leaved beech

God planted here before you first drew breath.

Stand here awhile and drink the silence in.

You cannot stand as long and still as these;

This ancient beech and still more ancient church.

So let them stand, as they have stood, for you.

Let them disclose their gifts of time and place,

A secret kept for you through all these years.

Open your eyes. This empty church is full,

Thronging with life and light your eyes have missed.

Stand here awhile and drink the silence in.

Shields of forgotten chivalry, and rolls

Of honour for the young men gunned at Ypres,

And other monuments of our brief lives

Stand for the presence here of saints and souls

Who stood where you stand, to be blessed like you;

Clouds of witness to unclouded light

Shining this moment, in this place for you.

Stand here awhile and drink their silence in.

Annealed in glass, the twelve Apostles stand

And each of them is keeping faith for you.

This roof is held aloft, to give you space,

By graceful angels praying night and day

That you might hear some rumour of their flight

That you might feel the flicker of a wing

And let your heart fly free at last in prayer.