May 2023

8 Buckden Roundabout May 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: 7th May Longhall Road, Viking Way, Mercia Close, Angles Drive 14th May Mayfield, Springfield Close, The Osiers, Stirtloe 21st May Vineyard Way, Burberry Road, Swan End, Lark End, The Library and its librarians 28th May 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 Thought for the Month Was it really just a year ago that we were looking forward to the Queen ’ s platinum Jubilee, when communities across the country came together as they later did for the Queen ’ s funer- al? As we celebrate the King ’ s coronation, so much has changed in our country in recent times; the coronation is per- haps the least of it. The country is struggling to discern the way forward post Brexit, post Covid, post another year of po- litical turmoil amid economic strife. For me the national ‘ call ’ to volunteer in the ‘ Big Help Out ’ on the coronation bank holiday rang more than a little hollow. I see so many struggling in the face of pressure to work full time and more, just to cover the basics. I see many struggling to care for those around them particularly now as the impact of reduced public services is increasingly evident. For some, being called to ‘ help out for the day ’ feels like an additional pressure – not least for charities and community groups needing to cre- ate systems for accommodating people for short - term one - off tasks when it is the regular and on - going commitment, howev- er small, that really counts. So how can faith make a difference to our world today, how can faith count? In church, following our celebration of the risen Christ at Easter we are looking towards Pentecost – the pouring out of God ’ s Holy Spirit, energising and bringing hope. Not something that is easily understood even for those who believe! Over the last few months Father David and I, with others from the churches in Buckden, made a small commitment to meeting in the Lion. Together we wanted to create a space for exploring and discuss anything at all about faith and how it might resonate with the big questions and issues we all face in our lives. It ’ s been a time of great fun and great learning with those who have come along bringing their questions and issues to the table. Together we have chewed over matters such as plausi- bility of faith, the reality of God, and the practices of faith to name a few! We have aired different views and shared our experiences of struggling to draw near to something that feels important but also feels often distant and difficult to grasp. Enjoying a warm welcome from the Lion ’ s staff, we ’ ve shared stories, laughed a lot and even cried a little. Those coming said they appreciated the open discussion, meeting others willing to take questions seriously, being able to share doubts and concerns, and having the space for the seemingly silly ques- tions which turn out to be ones we all wanted to ask! As we discovered more about each other, we have appreciated that there are few ‘ right answers ’ but enjoyed encouraging each other on – in both our questioning as well as in the challenges and issues that confront our lives. Giving and receiving of company, friendship, space to be in the struggle to understand what we see around us, has been a blessing to us all. So much so that a group has formed which has committed to a regular monthly meeting on the first Wednesday of every month. All with similar interests and ques- tions are very welcome. Just turn up or contact me or Father David for more information. The next date is Wednesday 7 th June at 8pm, again in the Lion. Whether you take up the challenge to help out on the Bank holiday or take a well - earned rest, may God, however we un- derstand her or him to be, bless us all over the next few weeks. Revd. Sue from Buckden Methodist Chapel sue.bakermaher@methodist.org.uk 07483 153948