January 2022

8 Buckden Roundabout January 2022 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: 2nd January Greenway, Aragon Close, Hoo Close, Bishops Way 9th January Village shops, and those who work in them; businesses based in the village, hotels, inns, and those who work at home; homemakers, carers, the unemployed and underemployed, and all visitors to the village 16th January Clubs and societies, their leaders and members, volunteers, and the team that produces and distributes the Buckden Roundabout 23rd January Cranfield Way, Cranfield Close, Weir Close, Smith Drive, Lucks Lane, Morris Close 30th January Buckden Surgery: the doctors, nurses, receptionists, pharmacists, health visitors and midwives; those we know who are in hospital, the elderly, disabled and housebound Thought for the Month As we begin the year 2022 no doubt all of us are hoping that the future will be far better than the past couple of years of pandemic with all the restrictions that have been. We look forward with hope, but what is the best foundation on which we can build our hope? As I write this letter, in December, the news is just coming in that Michael Nesmith has died of natural causes. Many of you may recall that he was the singer wearing the woolly hat in the group known as “ The Monkees ”. One of the songs they sang was “ I ’ m a believer ”, which opened up with these words: I thought love was only true in fairy tales Meant for someone else but not for me Love was out to get me That's the way it seemed Disappointment haunted all of my dreams As the song continued so he declared that he was a believer, he had discovered love! Having said that, so often the songs of that era would have similar themes as the singer sought love again and again. As Christians we have the encouragement that we can know love in perfection, for God loves us. God said I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. ” (Jeremiah 31 verse 3) As we face the challenges that lie in the coming year the best challenge is that we look to ways we can know His love as we trust our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and seek to live as a reflection of the love of God. What a difference that can make if we seek to live like that, as the challenges become moments of hope- fulness because God loves us. May we say “ I ’ m a believer ” be- cause we have discovered Gods love which will see us through not just 2022 but every year. Sharing with you in the love of our Lord. Blessings to all of you, Jon Magee—Perry Baptist Church Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal 2021. I would like to say a very big THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the Shoebox Appeal, as 260 shoe- boxes were sent from Buckden. It is a wonderful achievement by everyone, especially in these uncertain times. This means that some needy children in poor countries will have had a happier Christmas, as they will have re- ceived a shoebox from Buckden sent with love. That in effect is a smile on a child ’ s face, so thank you all again for making this possible. Carol Swepstone Who does What? Volunteers are essential, Forest Schools for youth groups, scouts and fireflies have been opened. Green corridors ex- panded and wildlife tracking increased. Themed spaces called “ Parklets ” have been set up in towns, St Neots riverside dredged and a fish pass opened in Godmanchester. All in all, a super local record and many congratulations to all the hard - working teams and the long - term vision of HDC Councillors and HDC Officers. I hope you all had a super Christmas and are coping with Covid and very best wishes for 2022. Hamish Masson, Councillor, Buckden Ward, HDC ( Continued from page 5 - District Councillor report)