Dear Friends,
We have been celebrating the season of creation over the last few weeks in our church life. Creation season is a time dedicated to God as creator and sustainer of all life. It is a time when we are called to pay special attention to our own responsibility for the earth and for all that lives on it. It is an especially good time for us to give thanks to God for our beautiful world, and to renew our commitment to caring for our planet. Here in Caldecote we are committed to maintaining our beautiful, rural churchyard sensitively and more sustainably, and we are grateful to all who help us look after it. Many of us already make a wide range of lifestyle choices, reflecting our own personal commitment to environmental care and conservation. What small, good things can we do as church communities and as individuals to make a big difference? Caring for our world involves us giving something up or prioritising other things which sometimes calls for sacrifices in order to build a better future.
Like caring for the environment, following Jesus, is not the easiest choice but the right choice. “Take up your cross and follow me” are some of Jesus’s most famous words. By choosing to follow Jesus, we are choosing a new way of living. As CS Lewis put it (in Mere Christianity): “the more we get ‘ourselves’ out of the way and let Jesus take us over, the more truly ourselves we become.” Jesus gives us the strength and courage to become truly ourselves and he guides us to become more like him. By embracing a simpler life we can rediscover a happier simpler and higher quality existence. A bit like reconnecting with nature, whether out walking in the countryside or pottering in the garden, we can feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. For me, following Jesus has the same effect because it enriches my life and gives me strength and great joy. Following Jesus is not always easy but in doing so, we can gain the ability to live in the present and have inner peace.
God Bless,
Clare
Clare Coates,
Lead Minister for Caldecote with Childerley, Dry Drayton and Hardwick
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org
07818618795
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Services in October
Sunday 6 October
11am Harvest Festival Holy Communion at Childerley Chapel with Revd Clare and Revd Lucinda Howard preaching.
We shall be collecting donations of food and toiletries for our local Foodbank.
Sunday 13 October
11am Morning Prayer, with Stephen Coates
Sunday 20 October
3pm Evening Prayer, with Stephen Coates
Zoom
Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service
Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am: https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.
On Sundays where there is no service in our church, you are most welcome to join any of our services across the team: please see our website www.lordsbridge.org for further details.
Curate on Placement:
During October, we are being joined by the Curate of St Andrew’s Stapleford, Revd Lucinda Howard. In addition to reflecting on her experiences and conversations with me, she may be asked to submit written theological reflections as part of her Curacy. In these, names of people, contexts, and identifying details will be changed and made anonymous so as to preserve confidentiality. Please do email Revd Clare if you wish to opt out.
What’s On
Tuesday Toddlers in the Cabin (St Mary’s, Hardwick)
All welcome to join us for free play, craft, story and fun!
Saturday 12 October, 10.00am-12.00noon, Nature Walk at RSPB Fen Drayton
All are most welcome to join us for a morning’s guided nature walk, led by John Harding. We will be meeting in the Car Park at RSPB in Fen Drayton. There is a charge for parking; RSPB members can park for free. Please bring your binoculars! Please let Revd Clare know if you are planning to come or if you need a lift.
Useful Contacts
Churchwarden: Stephen Coates; caldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com
Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org
Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974
Team Administrator: Becca Herrick; rebeccaherrick@lordsbridge.org