Sarah and I have been here in Quainton for six years. I know it’s a cliché, but doesn’t time fly! I remember being totally shocked when I heard, after two days of interviews, that I was being offered this House For Duty post as Team Vicar looking after All Saints, Oving with Pitchcott and Holy Cross and St Mary, Quainton. I was shocked because moving into a traditional rural parish with a shaved head and earring seemed to be not the done thing! But here we are.
We spent a lot of time getting to know the villages and the wonderful people in these parts and soon developed supportive relationships with new friends and neighbours. Quainton Church has such an amazing heritage and I am committed to conserving the significant historical monuments, artefacts and architecture of this beautiful building.
Community Larder
I am aware that there are numbers of people in our village who are struggling with the rising costs of utilities and food. So we are operating a Community Larder in the Church which is available for all during daylight hours when the church is open. If you would like to donate non-perishable food to help fill our Larder, please bring what you can and place it on the servery at the back of the church. If you need help to put food on the table, please feel free to come and help yourself at any time.
The Church calendar is as busy as ever at this time of year. On Sunday 6th November we have a Memorial Service for those we have loved and lost. Do come and light a candle for a loved one. Remembrance Sunday is 13th November at 3.00pm and on Sunday 20th we have Choral Evensong at 6.00pm. We are looking for more choir members to join in – how about you?
We start the Advent Season with our annual Advent Carols at Whitchurch on Sunday 27th November at 6.00pm and the following Sunday Christmas starts in Quainton with our Christmas Praise and Worship Service at 6.00pm
In the November 2016 edition of Quainton News, I concluded by opening letter with these words:
“I’m loving living in Quainton. What an amazing place. What amazing people. I told the story above, because I wanted to come clean about my faith. I couldn’t do the job I do, without having a passionate belief in a God who brings hope. I know life is not always easy, and questions sometimes go unanswered, but I have had enough life experience to know about suffering and pain, tragedy and loss, as well as the joys and delights of a life filled with meaning. The Christian message shouts loudly that hope is stronger than despair, peace is stronger than war, love is stronger than hatred and life is stronger than death. Take the journey with me.”
I am still passionate about the mission and ministry of the church in the community. Why not come and join our team.
Blessings,
Rev Steve