January 2021

10 Buckden Roundabout January 2021 Church News Weekly Prayer Roster Each week during the year the Churches, in their prayers, remember the residents of particular streets in the village, those who work in the parish and village organisations. Those to be remembered this month are: 3rd January Clubs and societies, their leaders and members, volunteers, and the team that produces and distributes the Buckden Roundabout 10th January Cranfield Way, Cranfield Close, Weir Close, Smith Drive, Lucks Lane, Morris Close 17th January Buckden Surgery: the doctors, nurses, receptionists, pharmacists, health visitors and midwives; those we know who are in hospital, the elderly, disabled and housebound 24th January Farming communities, Taylor ’ s Lane (West), Hardwick Lane, the residents and staff of Hardwick Dene, Great North Road, Brampton Road, Perry Road, Buckden Wood 31st January High Street, Ivelbury Close, York Yard, Lion Yard, George Lane, King George Court, Taylor ’ s Lane (East), Wolsey Gardens, Charles Court Thought for the Month Dear Friends, On behalf of Buckden and District Churches Together, may I wish you a very Happy New Year I suspect that for many of us these words have a special significance this year as we hope for a more positive twelve months We all start each year with hopes and aspirations, but whether that hope is a firm intention based on realistic expectation or a dream of the ‘ wouldn ’ t it be nice ’ variety, many of us will be hoping at the very least, that 2021 will provide more oppor- tunity for their fulfilment. The last twelve months have shaken many aspects of our social and economic lives. This has caused some to question the reli- ability of the apparently secure basis on which we rest our hopes, as we have all faced unprecedented limitations and many have faced, and continue to face, economic and social hardship. It is greatly to the credit of the residents of Buckden, as well as many other places, that so much kindness and help has been available over the past few months for those who need it. Similar questions have been asked down the ages, as natural disasters as well as man made tragedies like Covid19 have caused grief and pain. In the first century at the time of Jesus people then were questioning what life was like and where was God at a time when Israel, as well as the rest of what we now know as Europe, was under the very firm heel of the Ro- man Empire. It was at just that moment that the baby whose birth we have just celebrated at Christmas came into our world seeking to bring ‘ peace and goodwill to all men ’, along with hope and the assurance of peace with God and each other – if we will accept it. The new year with all its possibilities is a great time to be re- viewing where we place our hope. So for anyone who is asking those questions, please do get in touch with one of our church- es. Neither Father Jim, Rev Sue, Rev Pam, Pastor Jon or myself think we know all the answers, but can point you to a God who loves and cares for his world and in whom can securely rest our hopes for 2021. Best wishes and once again Happy New Year. Jes Rev Jes Salt, Priest in Charge, St Mary ’ s Buckden and All Saints Offord Buckden Church of England Primary Academy TERM DATES 2020/2021/2022 2020 Autumn Term Closes Friday 18 December 2021 Spring Term Opens Monday 4 January Half Term 15 - 19 February Spring Term Closes Friday 26 March Summer Term Opens Monday 12 April May Day Monday 3 May Half Term 31 May – 4 June Summer Term Closes Wednesday 14 July Professional Days 15 July – 20 July Professional Days 1 Sep – 2 Sep Autumn Term Opens Friday 3 September Half Term 25 – 29 October Autumn Term Closes Friday 17 December