The Epworth & Belton Group of Churches

Rector's Reflection for September 2026 - Embracing the Turning Season

September on the Isle of Axholme brings a distinct and rather beautiful shift, doesn't it? The golden heat of August begins to mellow into crisp, dewy mornings, and there is a fresh sense of momentum in our villages. School uniforms are being ironed for the new term, some are enjoying the quieter pace of a late summer getaway, and the broader rhythm of our society gently shifts gear. It is a time of new beginnings, even as we start to notice the very first hints of autumn colouring the trees across the fields.

As I was driving down one of our local lanes a few days ago, I noticed a great gathering of swallows lined up along the telegraph wires, chattering away. They are preparing for their long journey, instinctively knowing that the season is turning. There was no panic in their preparation, just a natural, orderly response to the changing air—a deep, God-given rhythm guiding them gently into their next chapter.

Life, with all its moving parts, often feels like a constant stream of transitions. Whether we are managing a bustling household, navigating shifts in our daily routines, or simply adjusting to the gradually shortening evenings, it can sometimes feel a little unsettling. Yet, watching those swallows reminded me that we too are held within a beautiful, purposeful rhythm by a Creator who guides us through every change.

The writer of Ecclesiastes captures this timeless reassurance perfectly: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

This verse invites us to trust that whatever change we are experiencing—be it exciting or daunting—God is already quietly at work in the midst of it. We don't need to fear the shifting seasons of our lives. Instead, we can look for the gentle joys of the present moment: the comforting routine of a new school term, the beauty of a September sunset, or the familiar, welcoming warmth of a Sunday morning in church.

As we step into September across our parishes, may we move forward with a sense of quiet joy and anticipation. Whatever this new month asks of you, may you know the steady, comforting presence of God's faithfulness walking alongside you.

Generous and loving God,

We thank you for the changing seasons and the fresh starts that September brings.

Guide us through our daily transitions and open our hearts to the quiet joys of autumn.

Grant us peace as we adapt to new routines, and help us to trust in your unfailing presence, today and always. Amen.

Wishing you every joy and peace this September,

Revd Paul

The Revd Paul Wilson

Rector of the Epworth Group of Churches

Priest-in-Charge of the Belton Group of Churches

Assistant Curate of the Crowle Group of Churches and the Haxey and Owston Ferry Plurality

Rural Dean of the Isle of Axholme Deanery