Welcome to Weobley & Staunton Joint Benefice

On my recent walk along the Pembrokeshire coast, I was pleased to see fields of wheat swaying in the breeze, growing almost to the edge of the cliff tops. Our epistle reading this Sunday reminds us that we reap what we sow: our present priorities and actions (or neglect) can lead to future good or future evil.

A society that puts money, entertainment and the pursuit of pleasure as its key priorities will raise generations of individualistic, distracted and materialistic children. In such a society, the development of moral character and social awareness will always be secondary. Our distinctive contribution in the church is to act as a compassionate, generous and leavening influence, spreading a concern for others that politicians and secular organisations might miss. Paul tells the Galatians ‘not to grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up’.

While it seems that we are in something of a dry season in the life of the church, we can still be encouraged by Paul’s words. In place of narrow, selfish arguments (heard frequently in public life) that promote only short-term economic outcomes and national self-interest, we are called as Christians to think and act more broadly, carefully and compassionately. As Paul says ‘So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone’. Our calling is to discern and promote the common good, both here and abroad, even when such a calling may be unpopular.

Rev’d Philip Harvey

You may have watched the recent BBC series ‘Pilgrimage’ which explored the experience of seven celebrities walking along the Jakobsweg from Innsbruck to Switzerland. Against a background of beautiful alpine scenery, the programme records their conversations about themselves, religion and the quest for meaning. The programme portrays people tuning in to nature, confronting their inner struggles and engaging in genuine listening (increasingly rare in our current age of noisy disagreement).

Walking pilgrim routes has become popular across Britain and Europe, and the concept of pilgrimage has been reinvented as something open to people of all faiths and none. There is a hunger for spiritual connection, often encountered in the quiet beauty of creation, that removes us from the frantic distractions of the digital world.

While I am clearly not a celebrity, I have decided to take a pilgrimage journey from 22nd to 25th June, along the Pembrokeshire path from St Ishmael’s to St David’s. I will be                   accompanied by two Staunton parishioners, Ian and Iola Russell (I will be relying on Ian’s superior navigation skills and hoping that Iola’s first aid expertise will not be required).

Our walk will raise funds in support of both St Michael’s Hospice and the churches of the Weobley and Staunton Benefice. 

If you would like to make a donation you can do so online at www.weobleyandstaunton.org 

Alternatively, you can make a bank transfer to:

WEOBLEY & STAUNTON CHURCH COUNCIL 

Sort Code: 30-94-99

Account Number: 00135029.

Please include ‘Pilgrimage’ as the transaction reference. Cash or cheques can also be left at the vicarage in Weobley. 

In the meantime, we are praying for good weather!

Rev’d Philip