August 2008 - Volume 30, Issue No. 8

Dear Friends

“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…” according to a well-known song. Just how easy depends on personal circumstances. Certainly in summertime life is more relaxed for many people. It’s easier for teachers relaxing after a busy term, even if there is preparation to do for the new school year starting in September. Summertime is easier for the pupils, even though for some there is that anxious time of waiting for exam results. A lot of people take holidays in August. Not everyone is tied to the school year, of course, and for some their annual leave has been and gone for this year, while others may be planning a later break.

In the life of the Church there is usually less going on in August. Church councils and committees tend not to meet and Church groups usually take a break until the autumn. We don’t take a break from worship, though. Sunday worship continues throughout August, although there are a couple of Sundays when we shall not hold a service in every church. On 24th and 31st August there will be an opportunity to join in a united service, and you can find the details under ‘Benefice Notes’ in this magazine.

Whether life in summertime is easy or easier for clergy and others involved in ministry rather depends on what comes along. There are some things, such as weddings, that are usually planned well in advance, while other situations can crop up and have to be dealt with at short notice. I’m hoping that August won’t be quite so busy as the rest of the year, partly so that I can catch up on a few things. If August does prove to be a quieter month that will also give time for planning and preparing for the coming months. It’s good, if the pace does slow down for a while, to take the opportunity to rest and relax and re-charge our batteries.

While lots of people take time off in summertime, God never takes time off. We can call on God at any time, and a good way to re-charge our spiritual batteries is to spend time with God in prayer. That needn’t involve lots of words. It can be just finding a quiet place, to be still in God’s presence. Some people find it helpful to come into a church building to pray, or to sit quietly and focus their thoughts – but prayer can happen anywhere – on the beach, in the countryside, in the garden, or at home.

Whether your situation is easy or not so easy, whatever you are doing and wherever you are this summer, take time to be still in the presence of God and receive the peace that he alone can give.

With my love and prayers
Glynis Hetherington