January 2023

8 Buckden Roundabout January 2023 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: 1 st January Vineyard Way, Burberry Road, Swan End, Lark End, The Library and its librarians 8 th January The churches of the village: St Hugh ’ s, St Mary ’ s, Buckden Methodist Church, also Perry Baptist Church, members of home groups from these and other local churches, ministers and all who make our churches welcoming and worshipful places 15 th January Church Street, Mill Road, The Barns, The Old Flour Mills 22 nd January The Parish Council, The Village Hall and Playing Field Trust; those who help to run the Village Hall, and the activities there 29 th January Greenway, Aragon Close, Hoo Close, Bishops Way Thought for the Month My first ministry was in the Hebrides. It was a remote island where one soon realised that you are isolated from the wider world, surrounded by water everywhere. If you wanted the encouragement from someone more senior you had to budget for at least one overnight stay. Any encouragement comes from being with the people because no body else is available. My wife and I would be invited each year to the senior Citizens dinner and dance which was always held on the nearest Mon- day to the 12th January. The secretary took me on one side on one occasion and asked me if I knew the significance of the date. In the Scottish islands it was a very important date as they would cling to the dates of the old Julian calendar rather than the current Gregorian calendar. This was a time to cele- brate the "old new year". Here in England that may seem strange but I knew that whatever else it was important to un- derstand what is important to the local people. Likewise we have a God who understands us. In difficult times, or even when going through life ’ s mundane situations, it is sometimes hard to imagine that God cares for “ little me. ” God ’ s own Word, the Bible, shows what an immense care God has for His whole creation, and especially for each one of us people individually. He cares for us, has a plan for us, will not forsake us, and wants us to spend eternity with Him! The bible says “ Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Fa- ther ’ s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many spar- rows. ” (Matthew 10:29 - 31) This same God is one who values us and seeks to comfort us when all seems hopeless. May you know his comfort and care as we begin the new year, whichever calendar we choose. Blessings to all of you from the Perry village Pastor, Jon Magee BUCKDEN BRANCH - ROYAL BRITISH LEGION As usual, this won ’ t come out until late in December. The Rounda- bout ’ s perfectly reasonable copy date and the dates of Remem- brance Sunday and/or Armistice Day are never going to work well together. This year, we once again carried out a full house - to - house Pop- py collection round the village. This was another resounding success, producing an overall total (including the church collec- tion on Remembrance Sunday) of £5,158; about £200 short of last year, but still over £5,000, which is an excellent result by any standards in what has been a difficult year for many. As ever, huge thanks go to Tim and Celia Walker, who made it all happen, and to all our collectors, quite a few of them new this year, who worked so hard, to the shops and other establish- ments who allowed us to display collecting boxes, to those who assembled to count it all and, of course, to everyone who donated so generously, which included a very substantial con- tribution from the staff and inmates at HMP Littlehey. Tim and Celia were very pleased to have more collectors this year, but would always welcome some additional volunteers. Our short ceremony at the War Memorial on Armistice Day this year was well attended; it was a real pleasure to see so many people there and particularly the children and teachers from Buckden School. My thanks to David for presiding again and it was good to be able to give think of the refugees from Ukraine who are being welcomed all over the country. (Continued on page 12)