The Link Magazine

This letter is from our new Priest-in Charge, the Rev Canon Bernard Rose. The Link warmly welcomes him and his wife Janet to their new work here in our villages and amongst us.

Have you seen him or spoken to him yet? They say he keeps a pet duck! Well yes, it is true. I have a lovely white duck. Puddleduck was one of a pair until earlier this year when her mate lost the use of one leg. The vet wondered if he’d had a stroke but as a consequence of this I had to have the poor old boy put to sleep. I also have a cat called Eddie and as many already know, I have a lovely wife Janet who many of you will have met already. Janet grew up and has lived in Ipswich all her life so living in the countryside is a totally new experience for her. The other thing to note is that Janet constantly tries to turn me out in a reasonably tidy We have three grown up children – Lisa, Sinter and Rebekah and three (soon to be four!) grandchildren.

Before taking this position as your vicar I have spent my life in horticulture. For the past 18 years I’ve been an OLM in the Church of England and I worked this side-by-side with my gardening. Now one of the good things about working in horticulture is that you learn to see and appreciate the small details of God’s creation. It’s not just about plants, trees and shrubs, but much more. The fragrance of blossom, the spider spinning its web, the little mouse scurrying through the undergrowth, ants building their city and caring for their next generation, bees collecting nectar, robins discussing with you the value of turning over a piece of soil to reveal lots of grubs. Never loose sight of God’s creation. Janet and I have moved to a wonderful area of Suffolk, and with you all, are surrounded by the beauty and majesty of God’s hand at work. Look in your garden or across a field or maybe at a tree and be reminded of that hymn.

‘Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the holy one is here’. Yes, in our lives His presence is with us, in our joys or our sorrows, in great moments and times that fulfil us or those times of wilderness, God is here.
‘Be still for the glory of the Lord is shining all around’ How can we not see God’s glory shining in our world and lives. From the beauty that our eyes behold, to the glory of our salvation through Jesus Christ His glory surrounds us.

‘Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place’ The Holy Spirit pours His grace into each of us and energises our lives with His love.

Be still, Saviour God’s creation, it’s there for us, it’s His gift!
Bernard Rose

From the registers:
Welcome to:

Thomas James Batchelor-Wylam, son of Lucy and James from Black Barn Close, Somersham,
who was baptised in Somersham Church on April 26th.

May he grow in faith

Church Altar Flowers and Cleaning Rotas