September 2024

8 Buckden Roundabout September 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: 1st September Buckden Surgery: the doctors, nurses, receptionists, pharmacists, health visitors and midwives; those we know who are in hospital, the elderly, disabled and housebound 8th September Farming communities, Taylor ’ s Lane (West), Hardwick Lane, the residents and staff of Hardwick Dene, Great North Road, Brampton Road, Perry Road, Buckden Wood 15th September High Street, Ivelbury Close, York Yard, Lion Yard, George Lane, King George Court, Taylor ’ s Lane (East), Wolsey Gardens, Charles Court 22nd September Hunts End, Copes Close, Monks Cottages, Hunts End Court 29th September Manor Gardens, Manor Close, Glebe Lane, The Grove Thought for the month Dear readers of the Roundabout, “ I begin with writing the first sentence—and trusting to Al- mighty God for the second. ” wrote Laurence Sterne. A lovely thing to say. Although to be honest the trouble is often that first sentence, I find. Until very recently I was unaware that Lawrence Sterne, eighteenth century priest and novelist, was ordained deacon in St Mary ’ s, Buckden. After ordination as deacon here, and I believe a year serving as assistant curate in St Ives, he was ordained priest and shortly after inducted as vicar of Sutton - on - the - Forest in Yorkshire. There he stayed and served for two decades before the publication of ‘ The Life and Opinions of Tristan Shandy, Gentleman ’, his nine volume nov- el. Tristan Shandy is a complex work with many digressions as a characteristic of it, in some ways it is a precursor to the mod- ern stream of consciousness style I thought of as twentieth century. Many of Sterne ’ s sermons were published and I have enjoyed reading some in the last few days. I'm really grateful for the chance conversation I had a few days ago in which someone said ‘ I really like St Mary ’ s because my favourite au- thor was ordained there ’; it has led to some varied reading! In one of his sermons Sterne wrote about the benefits of prac- ticing self - examination; to examine ourselves before (as is be- lieved in the Christian faith) God will. Sterne wrote: “ Whatever our condition is, ’ tis good to be acquainted with it in time, to be able to supply what is wanting […] before we face our im- partial judge ”. Whether or not you agree with Sterne about God ’ s judgement (the Christian belief that God is our only judge and so the no- tion of judging one another is, at best, folly) his practical advice on how to go about this self - examination is interesting. One point he makes is that comparison with others when we should be looking at our own state, is an error. He said in his sermon: “ An error of self - examination is to look around, rather than inside ”. That is, if we look to others we might see examples of human behaviour that is not great, and excuse ourself or see ourself as not so bad. Sterne cites the tendency to see examples of covetousness, malice, pride, imperiousness, and so on, in others …. and then because of seeing them there, not to see them for what they are in ourselves. It reminds me of Jesus ’ question ‘ Why do you see the speck in your neighbour ’ s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? ’ (Matthew 7:3). I write a few days after a library, in multicultural Britain, was set fire to, in which doors of homes were kicked behind which were scared people, and I am horrified by the violence. Jesus made it very simple, love God and love your neighbour. Who isn't our neighbour? No - one, surely. With love and best wishes, Fr David Macmillan Coffee Morning There will be a Macmillan Coffee Morning at Perry Baptist Church on Saturday 5 th October between 10am and Midday. Most of us will know someone who has at some point been diagnosed with cancer. Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the largest British charities and provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer. It also looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, and campaigns for better cancer care. Macmillan Can- cer Support's goal is to reach and improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer in the UK. At the Perry Macmillan coffee morning we can all play our part in raising support for those suffering from cancer. In addition to having coffee you can purchase cakes to be consumed at home. All funds raised will go to the Macmillan charity.