Vicar’s Pastoral Letter - June 2023 Dear Friends, The end of May and most of June means only one thing for many of our young people and that is exams. Whether they are the end of Year 6 SAT tests in our Primary Schools at Powick, Madresfield and Callow End, GCSEs in our High Schools or A-Levels in School at the Sixth Form College, there can be few things in life that bring as much anxiety and worry as being tested. The Bible tells us not to worry about our lives and points out that worrying cannot add a single hour to your span of life (Luke 12:25), however as many of us will know, this is easier said than done. Particularly when you feel that your whole future depends on the results of upcoming exams. It can also be a difficult and challenging time for parents and carers who are trying to support their young person through these demanding periods. It is worth looking out for the symptoms of stress, which can include physical symptoms like changes in appetite or sleep patterns, feeling sick, sweaty palms or fast heart rate as well irritable behaviour. While it is important that parents and carers give support at this important time, it can be difficult to know how to approach it. The website youngminds.org.uk has some great ideas on how to support your young person. They suggest that parents don’t police their child but enable them. Encourage your young person to let go of the competitive peer pressure. Let them take things at their own pace, in their preferred learning style and help them to set realistic goals. Also help them to keep a sense of perspective; remind them that it is simply a test of memory, not a test of their intelligence. Self-care is really important. Make sure your young person eats regularly, takes regular breaks and sleeps well. And don’t forget to have some fun time as well. Focus on activities they enjoy and plan a reward with them for after the final exam. Ultimately, your young person wants to live up to your expectations, which provides its own level of pressure. To counter this keep telling them how much you love them and are proud of them. And reassure them that whatever happens on results day you will be there to support them. In church we will be praying for all our young people across the two parishes throughout this exam season. As Julian of Norwich said - All will be well. With every blessing, Rev Gary
May Pastoral Letter 2023 - God Save the King! Dear friends, It is nearly 10 years since I was ordained at Worcester Cathedral and five since I was installed as your vicar across these two parishes. I well remember feeling quite self-conscious at both occasions, particularly at the installation here in these parishes, as I had the sense of all eyes being on me as I entered Powick Church after a long time in vacancy. As I recall this, I am left wondering quite what will be going through the minds of the King and Queen as they enter Westminster Abbey on the 6th May? There will be 2,000 in the congregation and, if the late Queen’s funeral is any guide, billions watching on television. I am very pleased not to be on the staff of Westminster Abbey as they navigate all the intricacies of such an ancient and sacred occasion. We all know how much our country has changed since Queen Elizabeth II was crowned. That was a 3 hour ceremony, complete with Sir Winston Churchill in garter robes and the peers with their coronets. At home, TVs were hired in, gatherings happened around small televisions. Street parties followed on. The King’s Coronation mercifully will be shorter, although I am unsure as to what has been removed. It will be interesting to see how the occasion has been adapted, 70 years on from the last one. Certainly, if anyone will be watching, it will either be on large screen TVs or smart phones. I am not aware of any street parties happening locally, other than over at Guarlford, but the vicarage will have its bunting up! Central to the Coronation is the anointing with holy oil and the King and Queen taking communion and much of that ritual comes from the Old Testament. How will this be viewed in multifaith or very secular Britain? I really am not sure, but pray that it can be an opportunity both to unite us as one people, and to give thanks for the Christian foundations of this nation. A couple of interesting local facts - did you know that Powick Church received some of the fabric used in the Queen’s Coronation in 1953? It now adorns the Lady Chapel Altar as a royal blue Frontal. Also, there is a Diary going back to the 19th Century that every Vicar of Powick fills in - sadly, I cannot find much mention of Church in 1953 but I did go back in time in its fading pages and read of it as an opportunity to come together as a parish and wider community for a jolly good celebration! Jumping ahead to 2023, our part in that will be a special service on 7 May at 11am at St Peter’s Church with a “bring and share” lunch, with entertainment, afterwards. I do hope you will join us. I was amused that one previous vicar spoke of how he was thrilled to have 110 attending a special service! That would be spectacular turnout for a Sunday morning these days - we tend to average 25 ( or may be 50 across both church services): so let’s see if the long bank holiday gives people the time to come to church and welcome in this new era for our Country. I conclude with a quote from the Bible’s Book of Kings, written sometime between 560 BC and 540 BC: 'Then the priest brought out the King’s son, put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant; they proclaimed him King, and anointed him; they clapped their hands and shouted, ‘Long live the King!’' (2 Kings 11,12) From across the millennia I heartedly respond, Amen to that. Every blessing - Rev Gary
Sunday 28th May9:30am Callow End Living Communion11:00am Madresfield Living CommunionSunday 4th June09:30 Guarlford Living Communion11:00 Powick Living CommunionClick here to see – OldHills Headlines 14th and 21st May 2023– the latest edition of HEADLINES which includes more information on services, events and news for the Old Hills Parishes. The latest intercessions can be found here: Intercessions 14th May 2023Click here to view - Old Hills Malvern Diary for a calendar of services looking further ahead.
