News from our Churches

Fr David Sheppard has written to the Benafice as he prepares to join us in July. You can read his letter to us below.

Buckden Vicarage, 22nd April, Tuesday of Easter week.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

I am so delighted to have been selected as your new parish priest, and look forward to joining you in July.

Whilst head and heart are of course still fully occupied with ministry and life where I am (two villages about half an hour West of Cambridge) in recent weeks my wife Kate and I have had a couple of very nice afternoons in Thaxted, and its environs, just to look around.

Our dog (Joey) indicates thorough approval of all he has seen so far. He liked the path down to the Chelmer valley right next to the vicarage. He met another good dog on a walk beyond the windmill who, I presume, told him what's what and who's who around and about the place. He also enjoyed looking around the villages; much exploration to come, it is all very exciting. I have loved the villages and countryside around Thaxted, and Thaxted itself, for years. I lived in Saffron Walden for fifteen years and loved the beauty of North West Essex.

As a parish priest I hope you’ll find me fairly straightforward. A pastoral, and servant hearted, sacramental ministry is always my intention. I am looking forward to being a member of village and town communities, hoping to fit in(!) and be a good representative of the church and of parish priestly ministry.

Prayer and the Eucharist I see as the bedrock of so much: foremost, and in particular, hospitality and inclusivity in the church, confidence stemming from a prayerful and sacramental outlook. I believe that welcome, sharing a vibrant, appealing, faith with people of all ages and outlooks, can come from a serious commitment to the daily office (morning and evening prayer), and the Eucharist. The rhythm of the daily office, for me on most days in the parish church, keeps many of us (absolutely including parish priests!) grounded and best able to serve. Of silent prayer (I would like to continue something I started here, monthly half hour Julian meetings), the Jesus prayer, and the rosary: these I also love. In the coming weeks, months, and years, I hope you might join me for some, any, or all of these within your existing pattern of services. And of the team of priests and lay ministers, and all others, who make the benefice such a good place: in anticipation of our working together, I love you already.

A reason I applied for the post is that when I visited the church in Thaxted, the history of devotion, prayer, the Anglo-Catholicism, the arts (so many arts!) all felt utterly tangible.

The charism of St John the Baptist, Our Lady, and St Laurence’s church, Thaxted, feels as if the wonderful drive of such important past priests is embedded in the fabric, in the beautiful altars, statues, artefacts from the arts and crafts era, and so much more. I felt similarly moved in the surrounding benefice of course too! I have enjoyed reading the letters between the architect William Eden Nesfield and the Reverend John Bullock regarding Radwinter church. Looking around St Michael’s, Gt Sampford, St Mary’s, Little Sampford, St Andrew’s, Hempstead, and St Mary’s, Radwinter, on interview day was such a pleasure. Each church has a clear character and appeal. I am looking forward to meeting with others who feel the same. The mission of the church is the mission of Christ. Village and town life, yearly agricultural as well as liturgical seasons and markers of time, the traditions and customs that are and have been celebrated in the four village churches and the communities that surround them, and Thaxted: I am looking forward to it all immensely.

O Lord, for all that has been, and for all that is to come, thank you. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

With love, in Christ's name, ever yours

Fr David

The Reverend David Sheppard, Priest in charge of St Mary’s, Buckden, with All Saints’, the Offords in the Diocese of Ely.

Our new Rector, The Revd David Sheppard, will be installed as Rector of the Benefice at Thaxted Parish Church on Monday 7th July.

As usual, FOTC are serving cream teas in the church on the Saturday afternoon of Morris week-end, 31st May. We would be most grateful if anyone from the congregation could provide a home-made cake for the event. Cakes should be delivered to the church at 2.00pm on the day, or ring Suzanne (01371 831355) for further information. Join us anyway for a treat! All proceeds to the church lighting fund.

Please let Adrian Wright (adrianwright2010@hotmail.co.uk/ 07443 840740) know if you would like to join the Pilgrimage to Walsingham on 19th July.

Every Wednesday after the mid week Mass we offer coffee, tea, hot chocolate, treats and good company for anyone who would like to join us. If you would like to come along or if you might be able to help to run the service, please contact Maryanne (admin@ttsrh.org ) or Anna Lee for more information!

Keep up to date, help with projects and events and connect with other church members by joining the new Thaxted Church WhatsApp group. Please text your name and mobile phone number to Paul Meader 07711-310243, or speak to Paul in Church. (Please note that by joining the group your mobile number will be visible to other group members).