Rector's Letter

Great Oakley Rectory

April 2024

Dear Friends

Spring is in the air – at least I hope it will be as you read this.  As I write, there are an abundance of snow drops in the churchyard and signs the daffodils are beginning to show their glory.  But the days of warmer spring sunshine are still an illusion amidst the damp and greyness of early March.  

If it is not quite springlike outside and it is still too wet to attend the garden, perhaps your thoughts have turned to a spring-clean inside.  I am not sure why we focus on spring cleaning rather than summer or autumn cleaning, but if you know, do tell me.  Perhaps it is the warmer and lengthening days that urge us to action after our snuggled days fending off the winter chill. What are you going to tackle this year?

Cleaning itself is not a very salubrious task, but, when all is done and finished, it can be very satisfying and gives a new lease of life to the cleaned cupboard or room and importantly to the cleaner too.  It is as if all the energy and effort put into the task is somehow forgotten and the reward outshines the cost.

The church’s season of cleansing (Lent) has past and now, post Easter, we are enjoying the new life given as gift to us through belief in the crucified but risen Lord Jesus Christ.  I think the verses from the Old Testament book of Lamentation are very apt: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3 v22-23 ESV).  They ring around my head in a tune that sings these very words and are a great reminder of the gift of new life we are blessed with every day – not just at Springtime and Easter.

As we wait for the warmer and longer days to be with us, whatever spring-cleaning projects you tackle this year, I pray you may know something of this New Life given to us freely.  That you may experience afresh something of the steadfast love and mercy of God each and every day.  Do be in touch with Revd Phillip Young or me if you wish to know more about this new life and the Christian faith.

Now, what shall I spring-clean next…?

With best wishes

Revd John Saxon

ps – many churches are organising spring cleaning sessions and churchyard tidy ups.  Any offers of help gratefully accepted! Look out for notices or volunteer by contacting a church warden.  The churches of our villages are there for all the community.