My Dear Friends,

As you will by now know, this year we celebrate the 200th Anniversary of St. Peter ad Vincula Church in Hampton Lucy. Over the year we have plenty of events to celebrate not only our church but our community too. And this Easter is no exception because we are holding an Easter Day service with Baptism.

Easter day is a lovely time to celebrate the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. With spring around the corner, the weather will hopefully be less wet, and plants and flowers will be pushing through. For the Christian church, Easter signifies new beginnings in all sorts of ways. It’s celebrated with great joy as we give thanks for the resurrection of Jesus, a new beginning for us all, and the hope of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. Baptism, or Christening, is a way of joining the church family. It’s a sacrament (a visible sign of God’s love).

It’s always a joy and an honour to baptise someone, whether they are baby or adult or in between, it’s a lovely way for a family to gather in church ang give thanks for their little (or not so little) one. If you haven’t been baptised, or you haven’t yet had your child or children baptised, and you would like to, please send me an email and we’ll arrange to meet for a chat and organise it for either Hampton Lucy, Charlecote or Loxley churches.

If you’d like to see what happens at a baptism come along to St Peter’s in Hampton Lucy on Easter Day at 9.30AM (I know it’s early but think of all the Easter eggs you can eat afterwards).

Keep an eye out for all of the other events which are happening around the villages. We have a Devotional Hour at Charlecote (Good Friday) and First Light of Easter at Loxley (Easter Eve). Also check out St. George’s Newbold Pacey which is now (unofficially) part of our little group – there will be lots of art and craft workshops happening this year which you might like to come along to www.retreatchurch.org.

love and blessings.

Linda