March 2024

8 Buckden Roundabout March 2024 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 March The churches of the village: St Hugh ’ s, St Mary ’ s, Buckden Methodist Church, also Perry Baptist Church, members of home groups from these and other local churches, ministers and all who make our churches welcoming and worshipful places 10th March Church Street, Mill Road, The Barns, The Old Flour Mills 17th March The Parish Council, The Village Hall and Playing Field Trust; those who help to run the Village Hall, and the activities there 24th March Greenway, Aragon Close, Hoo Close, Bishops Way 31st March 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 Thought for the Month Hello everyone, Spring is now approaching. At this time of the year I am reminded of a visit I often made to a farm when carrying out pastoral visits in the Hebrides. Mary, the lady of the house, worked hard to ensure everything was looking good and as I was welcomed into the home there was no doubt that she was one that ensured that the house was looking good, everything was immaculate. Yet when it came to spring you would be greeted with lambs running around the living room. How she kept everything looking so good while the farm animals ran freely I will never know, but she succeeded. The lambs were orphans. Pos- sibly the mother died while giving birth and Mary was the nearest the lamb would know to experiencing motherly love. Mary would even have a baby ’ s bottle to feed the poor lambs. The bible has much to say about sheep and the care of the sheep. The psalmist said “ The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want ” (Psalm 23 verse 1). The Lord is described as the Good Shepherd. He cares for you and I as the sheep he cares for, and as the good shepherd he cares for us even more than Mary did with her little lambs. No wonder the psalmist said “ I shall not want ”, because the Lord is our shepherd and he provides for us the best. There may be times when we are feeling like Mary ’ s little lambs when they lost their mother. Life may seem to be so tough. Yet no matter how hard life may be, may we never forget that because the Lord is our shepherd we shall not want. He will not fail us. In Him there is our hope. May you know new hope as we continue into the spring, from your village Pastor Jon Magee Buckden Open Gardens St Mary ’ s Church presents Buckden Open Gardens on Saturday 22nd June 2024. This Biannual event attracts hundreds of visitors to our village. It ’ s a wonderful way to share your gardens with likeminded keen gardeners. If you would like to open your garden for this one day event, please contact Priscilla Gardiner mob 07443 862657 Home 01480 581417 MIKE WYATT A celebration of Mikes life will take place at the Bar- ley Mow in St Neots on 2nd April at 12.30. All who knew him are welcome to attend; have a drink and some food and raise a glass to this lovely man in celebration of his life.