Dear friends,
If you go down to the church today you’re sure of a big surprise – especially if you haven’t visited since the beginning of lockdown! A great deal of work has been done to clear overgrown areas, trees have been felled and a section of the boundary wall has been rebuilt. There is also a prayer trail around the grounds for those who are finding these uncertain times difficult. I am very grateful to Liz Owen for creating such an imaginative resource and for setting it up this week with the help of Peter and Matthew.
At the oak tree on the Rectory Lawn we are encouraged to look closely at the leaves, noticing how they are all unique just like we are, and to reflect on God’s care for each one of us. In the Quiet Garden, we are invited to think of the things that are causing us to be anxious and place a ‘worry stone’ in a bucket of water which represents God’s love, asking Him to take away our fears. On the benches in the burial ground we can read verses from Psalm 46 and the famous Footsteps poem, and make our own footprints in trays of sand. At the steps to the church, we can imagine that we are entering into a royal palace where we are God’s honoured guest and we are encouraged to give thanks for all the good things we enjoy.
Everyone is welcome to walk the trail which is suitable for families with children., visit our labyrinth or just come and enjoy the peace and quiet. Our church building may be closed for now, but I’m glad that we at St Mary’s can still provide support and care for each other and for our local community.
With love,
Nerys
