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Buckden Roundabout
February 2017
Thought for the month
Dear Friends,
This year, 2017, marks the 800
th
anniversary of the appointment of the first priest at St Mary’s Buckden. Although
there has been a worshipping presence in Buckden for much longer (the church is recorded in the Domesday Book
of 1086), the first recorded priest was Rev William de Bugden who was licensed some time in 1217. If our records
are correct he served until 1279, our longest serving incumbent. There have since been 68 priests, and so I am the
70
th
incumbent. Their length of service has varied between 59 years in the case of Rev de Bugden to less than a year
in the case of Robert Parsons who died the same year he was licensed in 1411, and we have recently had 2 female
priests, Revs Margaret Smith and Ally Barrett. All have sought to minister to and serve the village and surrounding
community in their own time and context and to faithfully teach and share the significance of the Christian faith.
Wherever we stand on matters of faith, we think that the presence and the role of the church as a part of our com-
munity, as well as being a place of worship and spiritual support, is an event that the village may wish to celebrate.
And so through the year there will be a series of articles and events in the Roundabout and elsewhere which will
highlight St Mary’s role in the community and in people’s lives and the significance of the church in village life. We
will also be inviting people to engage with us as we seek to do the repairs and refurbishment necessary to preserve
the church for the next 800 years.
The Bible acknowledges that as people and as a community we have a variety of faith standpoints. But Jesus makes
the ringing promise that he came to us bring life in all its fullness, and that is an invitation which is open to all. So
please come and join us in celebrating that life over the past eight centuries.
Rev Jes Salt, Priest in Charge, St Mary’s, Buckden
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 organizations. Those to be remembered this month are:
5th February
Buckden Surgery: the doctors, nurses, receptionists, pharmacists, health visitors and midwives; those we
know who are in hospital, the elderly, disabled and housebound
12th February
Farming communities, Taylor’s Lane (West), Hardwick Lane, the residents and staff of Hardwick Dene,
Great North Road, Brampton Road, Perry Road, Buckden Wood
19th February
High Street, Ivelbury Close, York Yard, Lion Yard, George Lane, King George Court, Taylor’s Lane (East),
Wolsey Gardens, Charles Court
26th February
Hunts End, Copes Close, Monks Cottages, Hunts End Court
STUDY LUNCHES
The study lunches continue on Monday February 13th
The Lent study lunches will take place on the following
Mondays:
March 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, and April 3rd
Study topic to be confirmed
Methodist Church Hall 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm
Contact:
Ann Brittain
on
812012
Church News
Women's World Day of Prayer
Come and join us for a moving service
of readings, music and reflection
written by ladies in the Philippines.
Friday 3 March 2017
10.30 am Buckden Methodist Church
2.00 pm St Andrew's Church, Great Staughton
All very welcome.