News from our Churches

6th Sunday after Trinity, 12th July

Lt Sampford 8.00am Eucharist (DS)

Gt Sampford 9.30am Eucharist (DS)

Thaxted 11.00am Sung Mass (DS)

Monday 13th July

Thaxted 7.30pm Praying the Rosary

Wednesday 15th July

Thaxted 10.00am Low Mass (DS)

7th Sunday after Trinity, 19th July

Hempstead 8.00am Eucharist (DS)

Lt Sampford 9.30am Eucharist (DS)

Thaxted 11.00am Sung Mass (DS)

Monday 20th July

Thaxted 7.30pm Praying the Rosary

Tuesday 21st July

Thaxted Church Hall 7.00pm Julian Meeting

Wednesday 22nd July

Thaxted 10.00am Low Mass

May we ensure that we are doing are best not to allow ourselves to become too distracted from our Christian pilgrimage through life.

The mission of Christ’s Church, both locally and nationally.

Our friends in other denominations in our Benefice area.

Those who are finding the hot weather to be something of a trial.

Charities, such as Water Aid, who work to provide safe drinking water in Africa.

Saturday 11th July   10.00am - 12.30pm “Second Sunday” Coffee Morning and Lego Club at Thaxted URC.  Join us for coffee, tea, cake and chat.  Lego club for families. Everybody welcome!

Sunday 12th July Thaxted 11.00am Sung Mass when we will welcome our new Director of Music, Charles Humphries.

Sunday 19th July Thaxted Churches Together Picnic at the Conservation Garden 12.00noon - 4.00pm   Please bring your picnic, chairs and rugs.  All welcome!

Monday 20th July - HIGNFY 2.30pm at St Mary the Virgin, Little Sampford. Delicious refreshments and a warm welcome to old and new friends!

Wednesday 20th-22nd July - Messy Church Summer Holiday Club at Thaxted URC from 10.00am - 12.30pm each day.  Please book by phoning 01799 524944 or email thaxtedmessychurch@outlook.com  

Dear sisters & brothers,

This Sunday's gospel is the parable of the sower in Matthew’s gospel.  A story, interpreted one way, of how we variously respond to the word of God. It is also the story of how he works in the lives of his beloved children without looking at the cost. It is also the story of how we inhibit ourselves and how, when we are free, not least of the traps of self-assurance and self-righteousness, God works extraordinary wonders in good ground, in open and warm hearts. Whether or not the word of God is heard, he gives the same message and sows the same seed. God is the same love given to all. The seed the sower scatters lands on ground that it won't prosper in, as well as land that it will; it is all the same good seed. God's love is never measured out but, like the scattered seed, is generously, extravagantly, given.

Why is the sower so extravagant? Why does the sower in the parable scatter seed without care so that it goes over the path and the rocky ground as well as the good soil? If our hearts have become like the ground invaded by thistles, or the soil with no depth and our rootless growth is scorched in the sun, or like the path where birds come to eat the seed, God still gives us the same word.

The sower still scatters the same good seed. Can we soften our hearts? Can we allow the word of God to take root? Can we show the love of God fully alive and flourishing within us, feeding us?

In the human condition of frailty, mess, and the contrivance to see ourselves at the centre, God's perseverance and faithfulness scatters the seed to grow, like the kingdom of heaven...in this place.

Thank you, Churchwardens! On Thursday last week, I attended the Archdeacon's Visitation Service for the Saffron Walden Deanery, Churchwardens were formally admitted to their roles. It was wonderful to sit with and see our Benefice's Churchwardens (including one brand-new Churchwarden!) given thanks, encouragement, licence, and commission.

The Churchwardens are in charge! (I'd better mind my Ps and Qs). Many thanks and lots of love to them.

Wherever you are, wherever you are going, may God bless you and the precious, holy ground you stand on.

I am ever yours, in the love of God,

David.

Fr David - Rector of Thaxted, the Sampfords, Radwinter & Hempstead.