April 2024

8 Buckden Roundabout April 2024 Church News Weekly Prayer Roster Each week during the year the Churches, in their prayers, remember the residents of particular streets in the village, those who work in the parish and village organisations. Those to be remembered this month are: 7th April Village shops, and those who work in them; businesses based in the village, hotels, inns, and those who work at home; homemakers, carers, the unemployed and underemployed, and all visitors to the village 14th April Penda Court, Danes Way, Jute Crescent, Saxon Way 21st April Clubs and societies, their leaders and members, volunteers, and the team that produces and distributes the Buckden Roundabout 28th April Buckden Surgery: the doctors, nurses, receptionists, pharmacists, health visitors and midwives; those we know who are in hospital, the elderly, disabled and housebound Thought for the Month The last few weeks I've had a few chances to see a female sparrowhawk who sometimes sits on a low branch in one of the trees in the grounds of the Towers. In the vicarage I've come to see her as a neighbour. She is very impressive and each time commands my attention. It is however the blackbird and his song that brings me back to thinking both about a par- ticular saint, and a space in church which I increasingly associ- ate with him. Maybe a little more than a year ago we rearranged four pews at the back of St Mary's to form an open square. This came out of a conversation about places to pray. It worked very well and continues to give a nice and much clearer, intentional, space around the tapestry of the Virgin Mary holding the child Jesus. Praying the daily office of morning and evening prayer here has been a joy. Very shortly after moving the pews a large rug was kindly donated that fits the space very well. We hold 'Julian Meetings' ( https://thejulianmeetings.net/ ), half hours of silent prayer every third Tuesday at 7pm in this space, and it feels very good to be there. What of a blackbird though? After some time I felt the space was more significant, than con- venient, as a place to be. It is a comforting, nest - like, space. This made me think about the story of St Kevin and the Black- bird. Kevin was an Irish saint of Glendalough, Ireland, who died in 618. He lived an austere monastic life and at one point in his devotions, whilst holding out his hands for an extended time as if crucified, a blackbird settled, then nested, in one of his hands. Last summer I visited the tiny Anglesey island of Cribinau to see the church of St Cwyfan, dedicated to St Kevin. I'm assum- ing Cwyfan and Kevin are not two saints but Kevin is the angli- cised name for Cwyfan (Welsh), and also Cóemgen / Coemge- nus (his original, Irish name). In any case, after coming back from Anglesey I began to see the inward - facing square of pews as like the nest in Kevin's hand. And, sitting in this space, like being held safe in the saint's hand. A blackbird ’ s nest, cosy with moss and feathers, is a very beautiful and protective space. Our square of nest - like pews is a protective place in church for prayer and dedication of time to God. I ordered a reproduction of the artist Michael Cook's drawing of St Kevin and the Blackbird and have this in the four - pewed space; in- creasingly I see this space as a St Kevin's chapel. Moving the pews is occasionally necessary. The pews are heavy but I feel it is well worth moving them back, each time. But come and see for yourselves! Please make use of this space. Come and pray, you might have things to ask God, or things to thank God for, you might want to sit in silence, or you may feel overwhelmed by the glory of God, and his love for you. The secular term to 'just be' is very apt, here, I think. Whether si- lent prayer or full of words, or in the desire to just..be. It is a good place. And when you leave the church maybe the song of the blackbird will accompany you home. With warmest regards, Fr David. Priest in charge of St Mary's, Buckden, with All Saints', the Offords. Buckden Open Gardens St Mary ’ s Church presents Buckden Open Gardens on Satur- day 22nd June 2024. This Biannual event attracts hundreds of visitors to our village. It ’ s a wonderful way to share your gardens with likeminded keen gardeners. If you would like to open your garden for this one day event, please contact Priscilla Gardiner mob 07443 862657 Home 01480 581417 MIKE WYATT A celebration of Mike ’ s life will take place at the Barley Mow in St Neots on 2nd April at 12.30. All who knew him are welcome to attend; have a drink and some food and raise a glass to this lovely man in celebration of his life.