Dear friends
A very happy New Year to you.
January always brings that familiar sense of turning the page, whether we feel ready or not. Our Diocese is inviting us to spend time with the Lord’s Prayer as we find it in Luke's Gospel. These are wonderful, grounding words and we will see how we can take part as the Deanery shapes its response. Keep the 12th July as a Save the Date….
On the subject of dates, I hope you managed to pick up one of our CRT calendars from the photo competition. The standard was excellent again this year. Some of you have already discovered that my photo won the overall prize which was as much a surprise to me as to anyone else. My thanks to Taunton Camera Club for judging it fairly without realising that the picture belonged to the Rector. It has brought much amusement and a fair bit of teasing.
Many of us make New Year resolutions. Mine usually circle around cake in one form or another. Eat less of it. Eat more of it. Pretend I am not thinking about it at all! I recently read that going to church is proven to be good for your wellbeing. The singing helps. Being with others helps. Even the coffee and cake afterwards do not undo the benefits. As far as resolutions go that feels like one of the easier ones to keep.
I am pleased to share that our Breakfast Service is moving to Ruishton School. A huge thank you to the Ruishton Inn who helped us get the whole idea off the ground. They have been brilliant. We are also grateful to Ruishton School for welcoming us into this next stage. Our next Breakfast Service is on 25th January 2026 and everyone is warmly invited.
As the new term begins, we hold our schools in our thoughts and prayers. Staff return with full workloads and children return with that mix of excitement and nerves that January seems to bring. We wish them a wonderful start to the year ahead.
Thank you to all who supported St. Michael's Gift Day. Your generosity means we can now install the new sound system which will make a real difference especially at those tender moments when hearing clearly matters most. Your kindness is deeply appreciated.
We are also planning a fellowship meal towards the end of January. Something simple. Something sociable. A chance to gather once the dust of Christmas has settled. Keep an eye on our notices. It would be great to share food, enjoy some laughter and simply be together.
May the year ahead bring strength, hope and the sense that you do not walk it alone.
Revd Lee