Because my garden has lots of trees, I’ve spent a lot of time over the last few weeks raking up leaves. It’s a task that feels very end of the year-ish: tidying the garden and making it ready for winter. It’s rather melancholy to see the trees grow bare, even if the fallen leaves themselves are beautiful, because it’s a sign that the dark time of winter is approaching.
It always seems to me very right that the Church’s year finishes at this time, at the beginning of winter, as we tidy everything away and prepare ourselves in waiting. But before that time of darkness and preparation, on this Sunday, the last Sunday of the Church’s year, we celebrate Christ the King, crowning the year by worshipping the king – uncrowned on earth except for a coronet of thorns who yet reigns in glory and is king over all. After that, we will look towards Advent – a new beginning. This Sunday for Christ the King I’m delighted that Rev Catherine Durnford will be presiding at the 10am Parish Communion. It will be a great joy to have Catherine presiding in her parish church.
At our first Refresh Your Confirmation! session this Saturday, 20th November, we will be asking ‘what do we mean by saying “I believe in God”?’ and I’m really looking forward to it. We had a great time at our first Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Bible session last Monday, with lots of questions and discussion. Look out for details of the next session in December.
with my prayers and blessings, Nicola