At our recent ordination of new curates I started my sermon by asking the candidates; “What did it feel like when they first looked in a mirror and saw themselves wearing a clerical blouse or shirt?”  There’s a great book “Legacy” about the All Blacks, the New Zealand national rugby team by James

Dave Amies – Chairman – The Post Office , Ryhall  Adrian Gombault – Vice Chairman – Elm Tree Cottage, Belmesthorpe  David Wilby – County Councillor – Orchard House Essendine Road, Ryhall Stamford PE9 4HE dwilby@rutland.gov.uk  Richard Coleman – County Councillor – 5 Plover Road, Essendine Stamford PE94UR RColeman@rutland.gov.uk  CLERK :

I am writing this in early June, before the government announces the level and timing of the final relaxation of covid restrictions. Even at this stage, though, relatively unrestricted travel is allowed to a few countries, and people have started booking and taking their the Mediterranean and other holidays. I don’t begrudge

As summer warmth and rain makes our gardens burst into bloom (and the weeds grow even faster) tradi-tional summer events take place. Ryhall Village fete is advertised else-where, with a great range of attrac-tions, including Bowling for a Pig, with a prize which, fortunately for pigs, has been replaced by

As we reach June we enter, what in Church circles is often referred to as “Ordinary Time”.  Wouldn’t that be nice?!  Nothing seems to be ordinary anymore and we seem to have exhausted our supply of words to describe the “unprecedented” circumstances under which we have been living.  Nevertheless, all

Last month I wrote about change. This month it’s about celebration, something sadly lacking over the last year.  As you will read elsewhere, we have (thanks to our wonderful fundraiser, Sandra) enough money to complete phase 1 of our planned restoration, as long as we can persuade RCC planners not to

Earlier this year we celebrated the 11th anniversary of Bishop Donald’s arrival as our bishop. It was good to give thanks for his inspiring and visionary leadership and especially his commitment to the growth of every Church.  Ascension Day this month will be the 10th anniversary of my own consecration as

Change is in the air. Hairdressers and non-essential shops have re-opened, people are meeting in small groups, pubs are open as long as you sit outside and at last we are back to a nearly normal pattern of services in our churches.  I’m about to change too, though you won’t notice

The Diocesan Office was too late in sending Bishop Donald’s letter for it to meet our deadline for printing, so here is an extract from his weekly letter to clergy sent on 14th March.  I didn’t watch THE INTERVIEW last week, being firmly of the belief that screens should be

Have you seen our website? If not, do take a look at (and bookmark it) www.gwashandglenchurches.org.uk.  I hope that the website and our Facebook page will ensure that everyone is up to date with what’s going on.  Easter is upon us, the greatest of the Christian festivals, when we celebrate the