Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun? I can hardly believe it’s been a year since my licensing as rector of the Wayland Benefice; and what a joy it is to be here. Thank you for your warm welcome and your support over the last 12 months.Looking back, I was reminded of the torrential rain we experienced this time last year. Thankfully we’ve been having some lovely sunny days recently, but some terrific thunderstorms too! As I write, I’m keeping an eye on the forecast for the Breckles and Stow Bedon fete which will be well and truly over by the time you receive this letter. Where has all the time gone? It has flown by due, I think, to how much has actually happened in our community. This is good news, and shows that growth is possible, which brings us so much hope for the future. Time flies when you’re having fun, so they say, and my prayer this month is that you will be able to rest and play during the holiday season. Since arriving in the Benefice, I’ve had the privilege to lead numerous services, and to join with the preparation and participation in social activities and fundraising events such as coffee mornings, musical performances, lunches, curry nights, a harvest supper, VE day celebrations, a medieval banquet, a race night, village fairs, book sales, a tractor run and more. Looking ahead, on 12th July another book sale will take place; then on Sunday 17th August a treasure hunt and picnic. Between 4th and 7th September our Adventures of the Church Mice Festival takes place in all six churches of the Benefice. Plans are also afoot for a ‘songs from the shows’ singalong event in August. We are blessed to have such a wonderful community in which to work and share friendship and fellowship. Whilst these activities are welcoming, heartening and joyful, my thoughts and prayers are that our busyness doesn’t become a burden. I pray that amid the distractions, we might find some time to focus our minds and hearts on the one who drives us, who is always with us and who is beckoning us to sit down by his feet. For God says “...My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14). I do pray that you’ll find time to rest, play and recuperate this summer. Vanessa x
