As we welcome the high summer period, we look forward to all the summer activities and hope for what we think of as appropriate weather, although at the time that I’m writing this in early May we are very conscious how dry the Spring has been. Maybe by the time you read this there will have been some measurable rain, but whatever the weather, much is organised for the summer months. The farmers and growers will be pleased to see some rain and our sympathies are with them but we know that, whatever comes, our God has blessed us with a tremendous, beautiful world and this area can look at its best in the summer months as we welcome visitors from all over the country, indeed the world!

Along with the other churches in the Team we are having a series of sermons on the subject of “Generous God” which will remind us of what we owe to our great God in so many ways and, perhaps, how we respond to his generosity. During the Passiontide, Easter and Pentecost seasons in the last three months, we have journeyed through the principal Festivals of our faith and now that we are in the quieter “Sundays after Pentecost”, we can consider how we put our appreciation of God’s generosity into our everyday lives. The well-attended fortnightly Bible Studies continue at St Mark’s as we study the Gospel of John. Our Prayer and Share meetings on Wednesday mornings enable us to put our gratitude to God into words and to pray for those whom we know and the situations in our parish and on a wider canvas that we can bring to him.

St Marks' social events continue. On the 14th of this month we have our concert, drawing on the talents of St Marks' people and their friends, including our wonderfully enthusiastic Junior Singing Club! Later in the summer we will have our popular Pimm’s and Hymns afternoon and, following last year’s great success, our barbecue, so watch out for the dates of those. As always, we are so grateful for the members of our church family who do so much to make these activities such a success.

On Tuesday 2nd June, Anne and I will go to the annual event known as the Archdeacon’s Visitation at which we will be confirmed as churchwardens for this year. It is a good time to meet with and worship with those in the same position in other churches who have been elected into this same position at their annual meetings earlier in the year. It is a great honour for us both to be in this position year after year, but remember, if you get fed up with us, you will have the chance to elect other people next March!

Wishing you all blessings throughout the coming summer and beyond.

John Way Churchwarden.