Tag Archives: spring

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The beautiful Magnolia trees are coming into bloom. There is a stunning example just around the corner from me. They are ornamental trees; they were first brought to England in 1687 by John Banister for Fulham Palace, and in the 18th and 19th centuries, more varieties were introduced from China and the Himalayas.

These early spring bloomers really help with pollination, even though they’re not as nectar-rich as some blossoms. Arriving on the spring scene early, they help those bees take their fill. They are thought to be living fossils as there is evidence that they existed some 95 million years ago, although not in their current form.

Their petals are tough and are actually two in one, for what would usually be the green part of the bloom, and the petals are identical. Those tough petals help with the rough behaviour of those beetles, who like her, and are also the quieter pollinators of the springtime.

Their Spiritual symbolism is vast. Including purity, perseverance, and everlasting connections.

We are well aware of our everlasting connections when we gather, feeling those in spirit join us in such numbers. On Sunday, Helen Atkins came to visit on Mother’s Day at our Divine Service and gathering. Helen brought some lovely, inspired thoughts for us to ponder, and then went on to bring some lovely messages for the family. Thank you so much, Helen!! Our lovely Nerina chaired our evening beautifully, and we had such lovely readings and prayers from the family. We were also in good voice, which we were thankful for, as we did not have our hymnal, but that did not stop us from singing our hearts out. Thank you, Julie, for timing us for our healing silence, and Barbara, for making sure we were on pitch.

Of course, we were spoilt with two cakes, which went very quickly. Thank you, Carole and Sue.

And thank you to our healers and trainees on hand after the service. Thank you for all the set up, break down and washing up.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please continue to pray for understanding in this world, but also tolerance, especially from World Leaders right now in all the situations that continue to erupt.

Have a beautiful week. It should get warmer in these parts. We can’t wait!!

Happy St Patricks Day!!

Beannacht De’ leat!

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We are moving through the season of Lent, an introspective time to not only be aware of the journey of Jesus of Nazareth, but also to ponder our own Spiritual journey so far. At this time, we have been blessed with days without rain and some sunshine, along with our evenings getting so much lighter, and the skies sometimes so clear we can enjoy a starlit evening sky complete with a crescent moon.

Life in the natural world is all a twitter with the birds, and now we have the brilliant cheeriness of the daffodils coming into bloom. These happy, sunshine-yellow flowers are a sure sign that springtime is around the corner. There are thousands of varieties worldwide, and evidence suggests that daffodils existed as far back as 300 BC. Originally, they came from Europe, Africa, and Asia. However, one daffodil that grows wild is native to the UK. These wild daffodils are also known as the Lent Lily, appearing during our season of Lent. It is not surprising that they have been adopted as the national flower of Wales, for they are a symbol of hope, renewal, and rebirth, and we all know that a ‘host of golden daffodils’ most definitely lifts our spirits high.

We gathered last night in Chawton to enjoy Irene Hall and Em Dowsing, who came to visit. Irene shared some lovely, inspired thoughts, and then they both gave lovely messages for the family. Thank you so much, ladies!! Our own Chris Shore chaired our evening beautifully. Thank you to our prayer people, our music team, our hospitality, as well as all those who set up, break down, and wash up. As always, a special thank you to our healers and those learning.

Prayer of the week.

Please pray for Mother Earth. We need to protect her and our physical home. She has provided everything we need. We must make sure humankind does not destroy her resources and her beauty.

Calendar up next.

Listen to the birdsong.

Have a lovely week!

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We celebrated Easter yesterday and as we were driving to church Mr Shackleton and I came across a stunning but injured bird in the road with her deceased fledgling. The bird was huge and as I grabbed a towel to place her up a country path to see what I could do, whilst searching frantically on my phone for rehabbers or advice, she passed. A sad sobering moment of springtime and Easter.

She was beautiful and so big with large strong legs. I knew she was a hawk and it turns out she was a Goshawk with her fledgling which was very well developed and large. Goshawks have bounced back from near extinction in the 1800s but are still fairly rare. There are reported to be only 600 pairs of them across the UK which made this event especially sad, but the Easter message is continuing life and we know this goes for all who live, so we wish her and her ‘fledger’ well on their way. Please take due care and attention on the roads this springtime. A little less speed may spare some lives.

We gathered last evening in Chawton and had a lovely family Easter night. We heard beautiful prayers and readings and caught up on the Easter story. Rob gave a thoughtful inspired address as Nerina chaired beautifully.

Carole did not disappoint with her Easter cake. We also had meringues I believe whipped up by Sue. We are so spoilt. Thank you hospitality, Lisa and Julie our music team, and our healers, and everyone who sets up and breaks down.

Prayer of the week.

Please pray again for our leaders that they would receive guidance and also find more kindness within their hearts and govern accordingly.

Calendar up tomorrow.

Happy Easter Monday!!

Have a beauuutiful week !!

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April showers bring May flowers! Well I don’t know about showers but we had a few downpours breaking this glorious spring weather, but I see the sky is blue with fluffy clouds this morning. April is known to be unpredictable, and so we cannot delude ourselves to the fact anything can and does happen in April. Most of the old sayings stem from farmers in those older days trying to predict the weather concerning their crops and animals Weather lore is littered with these sayings- ‘The louder the frog, the more the rain.’ ‘If the oak is out before the ash , then we are in for a splash, but if the ash is out before the oak, we are in for a soak.’ Mr Shackleton reminded as we set off to church ‘Never cast a clout till May is out.’ That means don’t discard all your ‘woolies’ just yet until the May flower blooms. Now that’s wisdom!

We had wisdom and plenty of laughter last evening as we had Jenny Docherty to visit with us again. Jenny gave an inspired address and brought beautiful messages for us. Thank you so much Jenny!! What a lovely night! Steve chaired the evening beautifully for us. We started our Easter week as it was Palm Sunday yesterday. We thank those who said prayers and gave readings. We thank the Julie and Lisa team on music. Carole and her smorgasbord of baked goods, our hospitality, our healers, and all those who set up and break down each week.

Prayer of the week

Please pray for our leaders, that they would receive guidance and act in the interests of all those they lead.

Calendar up next.

‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, just unsuitable clothing’

Alfred Wainwright.

Have a beautiful week!