Harpley, My Life is my Message." Mahatma Gandhi
Revd. Sue Martin - Assistant Priest.
JUNE 2025
Dear Friends,
The month of June is the sixth month and how amazing is it that we have reached the halfway point in the year?
In our house, there is an upstairs lounge, purpose built with French windows, to be able to watch the sunsets.
I have a record of the position of the sun as it sets (that may be slightly nerdy!!) and I track the setting position through the months of the year.
There have been some beautiful sunsets, and they are now closest to the northwest in the sky.
Last month, the woods have seen wonderful natural displays of bluebells, we are so fortunate to have such amazing sights on our doorsteps, provided entirely by nature
and providing joy to ourselves.
In May we saw two Bank Holidays and VE Day.
What a splendid tribute in our churches with bells being rung and some wonderful arrangements of flowers and other things too.
Outstanding display of knitted wartime characters in StNicholas Church, for instance. Thanks to all who have helped in any way.
May 8th was for me and many other people, a huge sense of wonder at the announcement of the new Pope, Robert Prevost, now called Pope Leo XIV, originally from Chicago.
With all that is happening in the world and with all the problems, he just seemed the absolutely right person. He has already enabled a sense of calm and shows that he has the ability to do the 'right thing' not for gain or destruction, but because it is right.
An amazing sign that in the midst of all our fears the world can be saved by the announcement of a new Christian leader.
This news has gladdened the hearts of many people, young and old, Christians of all denominations and non-Christians too right across the world, far greater than any social media or Tweets could ever do.
Let's embrace the summer solstice in June, enjoy all that we have in our place in the countryside, and look ahead with hope and joy for the summer months shared together.
God Bless.
Rev'd Sue Martin
Assistant Priest