Thoughts from the Rectory

 for November 2025

Dear Friends

We lit the log burner in the lounge for the first time this Autumn a couple of weeks ago. We didn’t really need to (it’s not cold yet), but it felt like an appropriate thing to do as we marked the start of Autumn, and all the change is that this season brings.

The simple act of preparing and lighting a fire felt good and a marker for the season to come. Most people have little rituals that help mark the passage of life; they help keep us grounded; give us good things to focus on and help us face the future. We also share in rituals that mark the passage of the seasons, be that lighting the first fire, getting out the winter coats, bringing the boats in, packing away the garden furniture or beginning to think about upcoming celebrations (we don’t talk
about Christmas till after October Half Term in our family…though I often break this rule!).

Marking the changing of the season and the passage of life is important for everyone. It gives us opportunities to reflect and take stock, to give thanks and to look ahead. In the Bible Ecclesiastes talks about there being a time in
season for everything under heaven, both good and bad “a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; … “ Everything has it’s time and place and how we react and respond to these changes and the passing of time is significant. As we enter into the Autumn fully, we look ahead to the remembering of November, the celebrations of December and the preparations for the New Year. The past, the present and the future all have their part to play in our homes, communities and churches and
I am sure we all have our own rituals and way so marking the season that help us along the way.

More broadly the churches of the Glaven Valley Benefice are beginning to consider what a fresh new season God may be leading us into. The questions of how we love, serve and participate in our communities is on our minds as is our desire to be a church that welcomes everyone, is actively involved in the world around us and is a community of all ages. We are keen to explore what rituals and ways of meeting might develop and grow, and we are thankful for those which have sustained
us over the years. We would love it if you wanted to join us into our next season.

However, you mark the changes of the seasons and whatever you may be looking forward to in the next, may God bless you and keep you.

See you soon
God bless
Jonathan