Autumn is seen by some as an 'ending' - glorious Summer, holidays and heralding winter. A sad time. However, other opinions are available.
At St Andrew's, Autumn is about 'starting' - back to a new school year refreshed, our youth groups recommence, so too does Sunday School, our pristine New Daylight editions given out, and ever onwards to Country Fayre on the 20th and so on. As the weather deteriorates and nights draw in, there's plenty to do, both at home and in the Church Calendar with Christmas twinkling in the far distance.
Last Sunday was the time of the month when we have two services of worship. The 10am All Together Eucharist always receives a bigger congregation than the 8am traditional, said service, but this is always a necessary contrast and attracts its own following. In the latter of the two, Reverend Liz welcomed us, ebullient and buoyant after a family holiday break. Reader Rosemary delivered a thought provoking homily, based in part on one of the set readings, namely, Luke 14: 25-33. All most appropriate for Education Sunday, the premise of which was 'Do your prep work'. Think before you put some project, whether it be building a tower or continuing to develop Christian discipleship, into a workable state. A half built landmark, having run out of funds or unstable foundations being discovered, becomes an object of contempt and the but of jokes. Jesus warns us about being insufficiently prepared for change, particularly if our actions go against worldly preoccupations. Don't forget, your prayer time is of utmost importance, as always, past and present.
On Saturday, 13th September, be prepared to see - and hear - groups of cyclists or groups of walkers, all focussing upon their Bike and Hike Historic Churches activity, betwixt 9am to 5pm. They will have been sponsored individually to visit as many churches in Beds and Herts as possible. It isn't a race - heaven forbid - and everyone will have a target number or will be sauntering along realistically and keeping within their fitness zones. The object behind all this is to raise funds for these precious buildings, in particular their own church. If you're not taking part and rather like the idea, you can always volunteer next year.
Also today, 13th, we welcome Essex Bell ringers to our tower at St Andrew's and so be prepared to hear the drift and flow of parish bells to our town on a busy Saturday.
This Sunday is Holy Cross Day, 14th September, and during the Parish Eucharist at 10am, it will be lovely to see our Sunday School children back in the Chapter House, after so many weeks absence during the Summer break. Their instruction, construction and worship takes place and then, during the Communion, they return to their parents, being all chatty about what they have been up to. Then, towards evening, there will be our more informal and lay-led worship, aptly called, Sunday@6, the theme being, 'Encountering God'.
Don't forget: Our 40th anniversary Country Fayre on Saturday, 20th September, between 10am and 3:30pm. Stalls, games, eats, lots of community inclusivity and so on. More details will be available. Then, Sunday, 5th October, Harvest Festival, when the church is the happy recipient of produce and ledges are decked out with things autumnal.