Here you can read the latest Dear Friends article from this month's Parish Magazine. For more info on how to subscribe see here

July/August 2025

Dear Friends,

 One of the first events I attended in Codicote after I started at St Giles was Village Day. I remember being surprised and delighted by the coming together of all of the different parts of the village for a celebration of all that makes Codicote brilliant.

Many of us feel like we don’t get together often enough with our nearest and dearest, and sometimes we only manage it for an occasions like weddings or, sadly, funerals. As you would imagine, as a parish priest I am involved with both of those things, and one of the things I have observed over the years is that people relish the opportunity to be together.

Village Day is an event that is much like that, everyone turns out and enjoys being together, and often we might feel that we don’t do it enough! Even though every day can’t be Village Day (think of the organising!!) there are lots of ways that we can make being together in our community a priority. These pages are full of information about how you can get involved with the different groups in our village. I won’t mention them all by name but read on to find out.

At St Giles, we are focussed on being an open and welcoming community for everyone in our village, no matter who you are. Just last week we spent a morning together thinking about how we can love and serve our community better, because as Christians that is what God asks us to do. If you have any suggestions, I would be keen to hear them!

If you’re curious about what happens at St Giles, why not pop in on village day? There will be plenty to get involved with in the church building which will be open all afternoon. From the enduringly popular teddy bear zip wire, to refreshments and crafts for children (and grown ups) there will be plenty to do! You’d be very welcome. 

With my prayers and best wishes,

Rev’d Christie