June 2024 Magazine Letter

It is, or soon will be June when you read this. Halfway through this year – where does the time go? Do you remember those New Year’s resolutions that you made? Perhaps now would be would be a good time to find them and dust them off. There is still time to achieve them..!!

Let us all make a six-month resolution that every day we thank God for friends, fun, fellowship and food. June has always been a special month for me. A long time ago when I was a Girl Guide we had a weekend camp every June, which we all enjoyed. One thing I remember is that we always started our meals with a Grace. I know one person who still thanks God for her food, but I don’t think many people say Grace these days. The one we used in the morning at camp was:

God has created a new day
Silver, green and gold,
Grant that the evening may find us
Worthy thy gifts to behold.

Twelve years ago, I was chaplain to the Mayor of Guildford (where I lived in those days). One of my jobs was to say Grace before all official meals. I always enjoyed researching for new Graces, because I felt that if I they were interesting then people would be more likely to reflect on the prayers.

When we moved to Staplehurst, you all made me feel welcome, which I have very much appreciated. I have thoroughly enjoyed taking services at All Saints, particularly the 8am one. Now age and poor health have finally caught up with me and I have been unable to take services in recent times. After much consideration, it is with great sadness that I have decided to retire from my position as Assistant Priest from the end of June. It has been a wonderful experience leading worship and prayers. Now I look forward to someone else taking my position and getting the same satisfaction from it that I have done.

Monica

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