Little Milton Church

   The Parish Church of St James, Little Milton

   The Rector: Victor L. Story     01844 279 498

CHURCH CLEANING ROTA FOR JULY

W/E 5th July                                         -              Mrs A. Hawkins/Mrs. S. Jones

W/E 12th July                                       -              Mrs. M. Davies/Mrs S A Dennis

W/E 19th July                                       -              Mrs L. Lovegrove/ Mrs C Coward

W/E 26th July                                       -              Mrs E. Summers/ Mrs A Jones

W/E 2nd August                                   -              Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

CHURCH FLOWER ROTA FOR JULY

W/E 6th July                                         -              Anne Hawkins     

W/E 13th July                                       -              Sally Ann Dennis                                

W/E 20th July                                       -              Sally Ann Dennis

W/E 27th July                                       -                             

W/E 3rd August                                    -              Sylvia Taylor

BELL RINGING PRACTICE DURING JULY

Tuesday 1st July                                  -              7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 8th July                                  -              7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Sunday 13th July                                 -              10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.

Tuesday 15th July                                -              7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 22nd July                               -              7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Sunday 26^th July                                 -              9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.

Tuesday 29th July                               -              7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

GRASS CUTTING ROTA FOR JULY

W/E 5th July                                         -               Stuart McGill

W/E 12th July                                       -               David Hawkins

W/E 19th July                                       -               Raymond Fergusson

W/E 26th July                                       -               Phil Jones

W/E 2nd August                                   -               Tim Robinson

W/E 9th August                                    -               Stuart McGill

UNDER THE TREES

I love to look out of my front door, and to see and delight in all the trees about me. Their lovely colours, all shades of green and rust colour, a real delight to the eye. Their shapes some narrow and tall, others branching out and then there is the delight of sitting under them,  especially on a warm day, giving  when we are weary, rest, refreshment and peace. As I say I love trees.

Now the biblical writers considered that a garden was not a garden unless it had trees. Right back when they came to describe the paradise garden of Eden there is no mention of flowers; the important fact is that 'the Lord God made to grow in every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food’.

Quite apart from their fruit and beauty, trees are essential to a garden for the shade they provide. To this day, in the hot lands of the Middle East and the Mediterranean , the

most valued feature of even the smallest garden is that carefully tended tree beside the house under which the household gather to rest and refresh themselves in the middle of the day, finding a deep, cool delight in the shade which shields them from the sun's heat and the blinding glare of the sun at noon. And it is under that tree, at the day's end; they relax and enjoy again a sense of homely security.

The prophet Micah wrote of a day when swords would be beaten into ploughshares and nations learn war no more- you remember that text from Remembrance Sunday, I'm sure, but less familiar is the next phrase of the verse, ' but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree'. That phrase reflects the golden days when Solomon was king.

But if we let our imaginations work for us, there is a great deal to set us thinking when Paul told the Corinthian Church 'you are God's Garden’. But what then are the trees under which we may rest and refresh ourselves from time to time before going on our way through the busy restless world or back to our work in the vineyard? I like to think that it is in our coming together in prayer, either together on a Sunday, or by ourselves, that we can find deep and reviving shade. For myself, I love to be in Church, this sacred space, this garden in the early mornings, in the stillness, accompanied by the angels and archangels- offering myself and each one of you to God. Receiving again my life.

There are also particular men and women we know who through the goodness, grace and stability of their Christian lives, are like trees planted by the waterside and in whose presence we always find peace and healing after the glare and heat of the busy confusing and hectic world. Should we not think of ourselves as planted by God to give such shade to others?

Above all, there is Him who said: I am the True Vine.

Victor Story

01844 279498

FROM THE RECTORY

St. James’ Church Fête.

Our Annual Church Fête, opened by Raymond Blanc, was held in lovely weather on the 7th June at the home of Sarah and Simon Oddie . It was a lovely and very happy occasion and we thank all of you by supporting us by your being there. As I understand it the net proceeds amounted to £3700 which is a wonderful result. So thank you all indeed.

The Fête takes a lot of hard work in its planning so that everything comes together on the day and we are all so grateful to all on the Committee who gave of their time and energy to make it so. But we need not just thank the Committee, valiant though their efforts were, we need to say a big thank you to all our stallholders who collected items, baked and made things, gathered their teams of helpers together and much more as well. To you and everyone involved our heartfelt thanks.

Rycote Chapel Service on Sunday 24^th August at 10.00 a.m..

Every year at then end of August, by kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. B. Taylor we are invited to hold our Festival Benefice in Rycote Chapel. This year the Service will be on Sunday 24^th at 10.00 a.m.. Rycote Chapel is a magical and holy place, and just being there, you sense that you are part of the very history of our country, and you quite expect a member of an Elizabethan Court to enter its very doors any moment. Although the 24^th August may seem some way off, nevertheless it will soon be here, so please place that date in your diary now, and we look forward to your being with us on the day.

Rectory Garden Party.

Every year in August, I like to welcome everyone in our three parishes to a Garden Party at The Rectory here on a Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately because of various commitments, and people being away on holiday, it is felt best that the Garden Party be postponed this year to September. The date will be published in September’s Newsletter.

July and August are traditionally holiday months, and whether you will be away or staying here in the village, may I wish you all a most relaxing and refreshing time.

FULLERS FIELD SERVICE.

This always takes place on the second Monday in the month in the Common Room at Fullers Field, Great Milton at 6.00 p.m. and lasts about 35 minutes. The service is a simple one of hymns, readings and prayers. If you are available then do come along and a warm welcome will always await you. The Service for June will be on the 9^th.

GREAT MILTON METHODIST CHURCH Minister:  Revd. Derick Chambers Tel: 212019

SUNDAY SERVICES IN JULY

Circuit Service: Sunday 13^th July, 10.30am at Thame; led by Rev Charlotte Collins

For further information please ring Yvonne Cartwright on 01844 279205

BENEFICE SERVICES FOR JULY