October 2021

10 Buckden Roundabout October 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 October Buckden Surgery: the doctors, nurses, receptionists, pharmacists, health visitors and midwives; those we know who are in hospital, the elderly, disabled and housebound 10th October Farming communities, Taylor ’ s Lane (West), Hardwick Lane, the residents and staff of Hardwick Dene, Great North Road, Brampton Road, Perry Road, Buckden Wood 17th October High Street, Ivelbury Close, York Yard, Lion Yard, George Lane, King George Court, Taylor ’ s Lane (East), Wolsey Gardens, Charles Court 24th October Hunts End, Copes Close, Monks Cottages, Hunts End Court 31st October Manor Gardens, Manor Close, Glebe Lane, The Grove Thought for the Month It is half past seven, I'm listening to the crystal clear, diamond clear, notes of a songbird singing somewhere in my garden. This long song is cutting through the background noise of the roads; there's the low calls of wood pigeons (and their inces- sant complaints to Betty that their toe hurts) keeping up with and, like a rhythm section, accompanying the song bird soloist. Frankly, I'm wondering if I have ever heard better music than this before. My dog is perfectly still and next to the open door but he's on high alert, waiting for a squirrel to come and taunt him. He'll chase the squirrel across the garden, the squirrel will run up a tree, laughing and tail waving, my dog will resume his watch. I worry about my dog getting so obsessive, and (but) tell him he's a good dog. Because I am never, it seems, unable to search online instead of simply enjoying the moment...I ask the internet how birds sing. Two voice boxes apparently mean that songbirds sing whilst alternating exhalation through their two lungs and so, the RSPB website tells me, a bird can thus sing in harmony with itself. I will go and say morning prayer in church at nine, this too will involve listening. It will involve being. It will involve saying. In the last edition of The Roundabout I put this verse from the bible: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18) and I am sorry but even though there are many many, many, beautiful, resonant, profound, life changing, verses in the bible I am just repeating this one again, here. I do so because of the bird in the garden. The song is harder to hear now (more traffic on the road) but I'd like when I say morning prayer to keep something of the song in mind and heart as I give thanks to God. Prayer will be from the book, but there is space for lament and petition, and thanksgiving. It will tell me to listen, to be, to be ready to hear God. I will try not to be distracted but focussed, and receptive I hope as I have been to the sound of the bird nearby. Going to walk the dog first though, I'll tell him that there's more to life than squirrels. God bless, lots of love. Fr David ( St Mary's ) Bellringing We are re - starting bellringing! If you have never tried or even better would like to join us after not ringing for a while please contact us on bellring- ing@stmarysbuckden.org.uk The ancient art of bellringing started about 400 years ago but our oldest bell was cast in 1510 and so may have been heard by Catherine of Aragon when imprisoned in Buckden Towers. We practice on a Monday evening from 8 - 9pm. Visitors are always welcome. A huge and heartfelt THANK YOU from Ann, Toby, Sally and families for your love, support, prayers and your many, many cards. We have felt greatly supported at this difficult time when we said farewell to Peter.