Do you remember the summers when, after rather lack-lustre weather through June, July and August, we would get to this point and say "well, September can be very nice - perhaps we'll get our summer then!". This year, it has been rather different, with largely unbroken sunshine throughout most of the summer months. For many of us this has been a wonderful summer, and has certainly brought the crowds into Swanage; but I know that for others, at times, it has been a bit of an ordeal. Add to that the almost total lack of rainfall for much of the summer and the devastating fires in Purbeck, the New Forest and elsewhere, we have all been wondering if this is "the shape of things to come"

At St Mark's we've been so pleased to see summer visitors in our services and they get a very warm welcome and a farewell wish that we might see them again, perhaps next year. It is good to see unfamiliar faces and many stay for coffee and cake after the service and add to our fellowship. A number have also joined us for our traditional summer social events - the Pimm’s and Hymns and the barbeque, These (also joined by friends from other churches in Swanage) were especially memorable as we continued to bask in the sunshine. The rather restricted space available in the St Mark's garden managed (just about) to hold all that came and also provided some shade for those who needed it.

We also have had some goodbyes to say. After Natalie had been with us for her last service at our church in July, several of us went to St Mary's on 9th August for her last service in the benefice. It was an emotional occasion. We haven't had Natalie and Joseph with us for as long as we would have liked, but we have cherished their visits to St Mark's and we believe that they loved coming to join in worship and social activities with us. I'm sure there will be St Mark's representation at her licensing service in Windsor as we wish them all God's blessings in their new context.

As we go ahead into September church events which have been rested for the last month assume their full place in our calendar of activities. Our weekly August prayer walks return to their base in the Church Room for our Prayer and Share meetings and one of them forms part of the National Week of Prayer. This is a great initiative as Christians throughout the country express their dependence on God, especially at the time when churches are starting new activities to increase their fellowship but also to spread the word of God's love to those around them. I don't know which category the Pet Service comes under, but we will see how it goes. Our fortnightly Bible Studies continue as they have done through the summer - the only difference being that on two occasions in the hottest weather, they were held outside!

So, as we look forward to the inevitable changes in the weather as Autumn develops, our life as a church continues, and as we pray for God's blessing on others, we do so also for ourselves as we serve him in this little part of his world.

John Way, Churchwarden.