Vicar's Blog

January Blog

For many of you by now, Christmas and all that it entailed is probably a vague memory, but nevertheless we do hope that you all had an enjoyable time and we would also like to wish you all a belated very Happy New Year.

We are thrilled to report that five of the six services held over the Christmas period had increased numbers to those that attended last year and in particular the Carol Service, when were were very pleased to welcome Archbishop Richard Jackson. 

These numbers augur well for the impending arrival of our new vicar, who has now been appointed. Her name is Revd. Maggie Tate-Druiff and she is currently in Ely, Cambridgeshire, but has strong connections with Herefordshire, having been brought up and gone to school here. Her parents currently live in Hereford and her father has acted as a coach at Luctonians for a number of years – she recalls as a child being taken to watch Lucs play! She is married with a two year old daughter and her husband’s work is involved with gardening.

The date of Maggie’s licensing has yet to be confirmed, but will be taken by the Archbishop and the Archdeacon and is a wonderful mix of medieval pageant and religious service. Once we have the date it will be announced on our church website and on Kingsland News, but she will definitely be in situ before Easter and we are very much looking forward to working with her. 

The January Messy Church service continued the December trend, we had the best attendance ever, with 30 children, 21 adults and 9 helpers.  It really is a wonderful experience seeing so many  children so happy together, especially when they partake of their sausage and bacon baps and or coco pops at the end of the service. 

If any of you are intrigued to find out what on earth happens at Messy Church, you would be most welcome to join us. Always the first Sunday of the month at 9.30 a.m. for one hour including breakfast.  Thinking especially of those of you whose grandchildren live away, or indeed if you do not have grandchildren, all are welcome. 

January also sees the start of the agricultural year and on Sunday the 11th we held our Plough service asking for Gods blessing on the work of our farmers. We are grateful to John Price of Day House Farm for providing one of his tractors and ploughs  for us to bless. 

Our dear curate Rosie will be shortly be going to another Benefice for six week as part her training, so we will be somewhat “stretched”with regards to the people who take services etc, in this final period of our interregnum and in the lead up to Easter week.  Nevertheless we are in the throes of organising a course of Lent lectures and if you are interested in attending, please contact either Peter or Jean, for further details. 

Over the past year we have been extremely fortunate to receive some small amounts of money in memory of loved ones, or as a donation directly from someone’s Will. As it is the beginning of a new  year, it is a time when many people review their finances and consider making adjustments.  If you are in this position and able to include the church in your plans, we would be very grateful indeed. 

With best wishes to you all,

Jean & Peter