From the Vicar

Continuing with the theme of journeying and pilgrimages, last month we had a very important visitor to the Diocese – the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell – who was here to talk about Pilgrim Places in the North. Along with many others I went to an afternoon meeting with him at St Andrew’s Church in Tarvin, and others went to see him at the Cathedral in the evening. The Archbishop was very engaging and spoke about our life journeys, from birth to death and beyond, and about how these were enhanced by and through our faith. He also spoke about how we, as Christians and as members of Churches, could welcome, encourage and inspire others on their journeys (about which Christina wrote last month) and this is something we will all be thinking and praying about.

As I’ve often said before, we all come from different backgrounds and with different faith journeys but, as the old saying goes, we are all in it together, and we all have different things to offer one another along the way. And, who but God alone knows just what effect our actions and words and pray ers will have, and will have had, on those around us. Two recent stories of different encounters have really struck home: the first followed our last discussion group on pilgrimage where I showed the group the flattened pewter ampulla in the shape of a scallop shell which was found by a metal detectorist some years ago in the fields below the Church and dated to the 14th/15th centuries. It is the emblem of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain (which I have started but not finished…..) but how it ended up in the field is of course a mystery – was it dropped deliberately or accidentally?

On hearing this story one of the group, who had just finished the pilgrimage, spoke to me and offered to donate their scallop shell to the Church – and it can now be seen in the window of the Warburton Chapel,
with an explanatory note underneath – such generosity and faith!

The second concerns a homeless young man who was camping in the Churchyard, and who was obviously very tired and thirsty – he was about to set off and we had a brief conversation and I offered him a cup of coffee from the Pub, which he accepted very gratefully, saying to me: “Thanks Vicar, you’re a real diamond!” I’m not quite sure what he meant, but before I could say anything he was off and back on the road, and I later saw him walking along the main road with a very heavy looking pack – there but for the grace of God……….

May our journeys, wherever they take us and whoever they bring us into contact with, be always hope filled and hopeful, and may they always be made in faith and love with those around us and those we encounter along the way.

May God bless each one of us in this coming month

The Revd Alec Brown

From the Curate

Dear friends,

“Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31)

August has long been associated with holidays, lighter evenings, and a slightly slower pace of life. While not everyone is able to take time away, there is wisdom in recognising our God-given need for rest. In a world that often measures our worth by how busy we are, Jesus offers a different invitation: to pause, to breathe, and to be renewed in God’s presence.

Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus withdrawing from the crowds to quiet places to pray. He knew that rest was not a luxury but a necessity. It was in those moments of stillness that he remained rooted in his Father’s love and purpose. We, too, are invited to make space for God amid the demands of everyday life.

Rest is more than simply stopping work. It is about allowing our minds, bodies, and spirits to be refreshed. Sometimes that may mean spending time with family or friends, reading a good book, sitting quietly with a cup of tea, or simply enjoying a few moments of peace without feeling guilty for doing “nothing.”

August also offers us the wonderful gift of God’s creation. Whether we are walking through the countryside, tending a garden, sitting in a local park, or simply watching the changing skies from our window, nature has a remarkable way of drawing us closer to its Creator. The psalmist reminds us:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1)

There is joy to be found in paying attention to the small things: the song of day, often in ways we can easily overlook. We can find heaven in the ordinary: the song of a blackbird in the early morning, the scent of lavender in bloom, the laughter of children, the beauty of a sunset, or the quiet hum of bees among the flowers. These simple gifts remind us that God’s grace surrounds us every day often in ways we can easily overlook. We can find heaven in the ordinary.

Perhaps this month we might challenge ourselves to slow down just enough to notice those moments of joy. They may not solve every problem or remove every worry, but they can gently remind us that we are deeply loved by the One who created this beautiful world and called it good.

As summer unfolds, may we receive God’s invitation to rest—not as an escape from life, but as a way of living it more fully. May we discover fresh hope in quiet moments, renewed strength for the days ahead, and grateful hearts that delight in the beauty of God’s creation.

May the peace of Christ be with you all this August, and may you find rest for your soul, joy in the ordinary, and renewed wonder in the world around you.

With love, prayers and every blessing,

Christina