February 2022

8 Buckden Roundabout February 2022 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: 6th 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 13th February High Street, Ivelbury Close, York Yard, Lion Yard, George Lane, King George Court, Taylor ’ s Lane (East), Wolsey Gardens, Charles Court 20th February Hunts End, Copes Close, Monks Cottages, Hunts End Court 27th February Manor Gardens, Manor Close, Glebe Lane, The Grove Thought for the Month As I sit to write something acceptable for both parish (magazine) and church (hoping more of you will come to it) I find myself a little distracted. The squirrels in the garden are all over the bird feeders. I have been inspired recently by a won- derful book, The Little Flowers of St Francis, which describes several times in the great saint's life animals witnessing and reciprocating his love for them. Despite this, I am struggling to view the squirrels without an- noyance (and despair and language not suitable for print). How quickly I can fail! All this felt in complete contrast to watching the lovely blue tits and robins seen on the squirrel feeders in the last five minutes. My dog incidentally, and as I have de- scribed before, sits quivering with silent rage before uselessly chasing after these well - fed bushy - tailed and thoroughly - pleased - with - themselves acrobats. One of the stories in the book about Saint Francis has a fero- cious wolf coming to the saint (he had gone out to find the wolf and sort out the problem of people being afraid to leave their homes due to the wolf's habit of eating them). The wolf being told "Come here, Brother Wolf, in the name of Jesus Christ I command you not to attack me or anyone else" and then to trust in the saint and come with him, in the name of Jesus Christ, is straightaway a reformed character. I have tried to address these squirrels in the vicarage garden as Brother Squirrels...my dog just looks at me as if I'm mad, and a little embarrassing, puts a paw over both eyes. The book about Saint Francis really has been a joy to read though, the saint's holiness is beautifully described in legendary accounts about his life along with his companions. However the stories were accumulated and represented they have so much in them to make me consider how to live, there is much that has made me smile, much to make me think about a need for more pa- tience, ready forgiveness, sacrifice, and time wholly devoted to prayer. As we look forward to springtime I pray that you are kept safe, provided for, sheltered, and protected by God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that you know His particular love for you, and all who you love. With love, Fr David, parish priest of St Mary's, Buckden, and All Saints', the Offords. Fr David Sheppard Priest in Charge of Buckden with the Offords http://www.stmarysbuckden.org.uk/ https://allsaintsoffordcluny.wordpress.com/ (day off: Friday) We pray to be generous and visible people of Jesus Christ https://www.elydiocese.org/about/strategy/vision/ BUCKDEN OPEN GARDENS This event will return in 2022 on Saturday 18th June 2022 NEW GARDENS REQUIRED We would love to see some new gardens to visit in 2022 and welcome all types of garden! If you ’ d like to share your garden, whether it be large, small, wildlife - friendly or just a bit different then please contact Priscilla on 01480 581418